Aegadian Islands
The Aegadian Islands or Egadi Islands (Italian: Isole Egadi) are a group of three islands about 10 km west of Trapani and Marsala on the north-western coast of Sicily in Italy.
Understand
Islands
- Favignana – the main island, well known for its beaches
- Levanzo – small, quiet and pretty
- Marettimo – the furthest from Sicily, with fewer boats; attractive and good for walks
Get in
By boat
Siremar and Ustica Lines (+39 0923 873813) run car ferries and much quicker hydrofoils from Trapani to all three islands – lots in summer, with fewer during spring, autumn and winter and on Sundays. Ustica ferries also run from Marsala to Favignana and Marettimo. The first ferries leave for Favignana between 07:00 and 07:30. The last ferry departs Favignana for Trapani at 20:00. The last ferry to Marsala leaves at 17:00. Tickets can be purchased from kiosks at the port. Arrive early for the evening return ferries, particularly on the weekends, as they sell out at times. Fares are between €5 and €9 each way.
Several operators run all-day excursions to the islands from Trapani. Typically they visit two islands, giving you time to spend on the islands, and stops in bays where you can swim off the boat, with lunch provided on board. Prices are around €39 for excursions to Favignana and Levanzo, and €45 to Favignana and Marettimo. The boats leave from the part of Trapani port between Via XXX Gennaio and Via Rallo and you can buy tickets there or at other outlets around the old town. To be sure of getting a ticket at busy times, you might want to book the day before.
Get around
Levanzo and Marettimo are small enough to walk around. Most people hire bikes on Favignana to get to the beaches on the south coast.