Cala Rossa Gets its name from the blood that coloured its waters during the Punic Wars and is considered the most beautiful cove on Favignana. Its waters are crystal clear and the flat rocks are ideal for sunbathing. However, this cove is really only suited to those who can tackle a long walk downhill; it is not suitable for families with children under the age of three, for the elderly or pregnant ladies. Photo

Calamoni is really a series of protruding rocks and tiny, sandy coves, with two main approaches to the sea: there are also some fairly flat rocks and a sandy little beach. Recommended for everyone, especially the children. Photo

Lido Burrone: Setting out from town and keeping the prison on one’s left the well-maintained road crosses over the island and leads to Lido_Burrone, the only big beach on Favignana and the most beautiful. The sea is always exceptionally limpid and the beach is ideal for children.

Cala Azzurra, Is one of the most beautiful coves on the whole island; the colour of the sea has to be seen to be believed. It is suitable for all ages. Photo

Praia Is a lovely, sandy beach near the centre of Favignana and convenient for anyone without transport and unable to walk far from the town. It is ideal for children.

Cala Rotonda (Arco_di_Ulisse) is a beautiful, natural harbour. It has a striking natural archway, called the Arco di Ulisse, beyond which you will find small beaches that everyone can get to easily on foot. Visitors can also swim out to the grottos, which really are a ‘must see’. Legend has it that Ulysse landed here.

Punta Sottile Is dominated by the splendid, powerful construction of the Punta_Sottile lighthouse. There are two little shingle beaches to the left of the lighthouse which are ideal for families with small children.

Cala Faraglioni This cove can be reached along a rather rough and uneven little path but the marvellous, semi-circular little beach, protected by a natural wall, offers shade whatever the time of day. Swim out of the cove to your right and visit the striking grottos. Scuba diving and fishing, both above and below the surface, are forbidden. Photo

Cala del Pozzo The cove called Cala del Pozzo has rocks and seasonal beaches (these appear and disappear cyclically with the action of the waves). The natural scenery is an enchanting chromatic fusion which unites the iron grey of the choppy seas, the intense blue of the sky and turquoise sea and blinding white of the sand and rocks. It often happens that as well as the colours we have just mentioned the sand on the beach becomes coral red, presumably from crushed shells and sea urchins. The Pozzo is one of the most sheltered coves on the whole island when the sirocco is blowing, which hits the bathers with considerable violence but is unable to ruffle the surface of the water. Those days when the mistral is blowing are ideal for those who are looking for a solitary, private beach, whilst all the tourists are huddled together in the Cala Azzurra or the grotto, the Pozzo will turn out to be a fantastic oasis only for those in the know!!; the rough sea will be no impediment to bathing in the nearby pools of water (although of course it is impossible to swim properly) whilst the strong, cool wind will improve one’s suntan. The approach to the sea is characterized by a sort of fairly smooth giant rock step which runs parallel to the coast almost at water level and measuring no more than a few metres at its widest; the water is deep on the other side of this step. It is important to wear close fitting light shoes to get over this platform. Photo
 

Lo Scalo Cavallo is a fascinating, terraced area located at the top of a sheer cliff and protected by the rock face. Romantic and steeped in timeless memories, even when the sea is rough it is home to dozens of seagulls. The terrace is enriched by the presence of a fantastic tuff quarry, an imposing cathedral of excavated rock; it can be reached fairly easily. To get there you have to climb up along a path framed by a stone archway, clearly visible from the terrace. Some tens of metres further on visitors walk into a majestic rock atrium and from here several tunnels lead off towards the quarries (here we cannot emphasize enough that visitors must take extreme care when visiting the quarries, as written in the chapter about the tuff). The one on the left is the most striking and via a smoothed, sandy, downhill bottleneck leads to a surprising view of the sea, framed by the edge of the tunnel. From the swimming/bathing point of view the road that winds along the coast offers various opportunities. From the first lay-by visitors can easily get to a beautiful little cove with blue waters and rocks that are not too uncomfortable. The second lay-by leads to a cove that is excellent for sun-bathing but less fascinating landscape-wise. Photo

San Giovanni What appear to be striking, squared-off natural swimming pools winding along the shore are, in fact, some of the oldest tuff quarries on the island, going back to time immemorial, that have subsided over the centuries through the effects of bradyseism. photo

Photos by Antonio Noto and Elio Faraci Traslation: Lynne Vicinanza