A Guide To The Egadi Islands In Sicily

If you're looking for a wonderful sun holiday destination, then a luxury villa in Sicily is a perfect option. Boasting incredibly hot and sunny summers, a unique and diverse cultural history, a rich cuisine, a striking landscape, and lots of truly amazing beaches, this slice of paradise on earth has all that you could ask for for an idyllic summer getaway.

Then, off the western coast of Sicily you will find the three Isole Egadi, also known as the Aegadian Islands or Egadi Islands in English; Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo. While not as famous as the dramatic and volcanic Aeolian Islands or as chic and exclusive as Capri, this group of Sicilian Islands have their own perfectly laid-back appeal. Expect smaller crowds of international tourists (this is one of those spots Italians have largely kept to themselves), better value for your money, stunning azure waters and excellent swimming and diving spots, and lots of surprises along the way – all of it making the Egadi Islands and ideal place to spend some time if you have found a luxury villa in Sicily and are exploring this part of Italy.

The Archipelago of the Egadi, in addition to the islands of Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo, is also home to the islets of Formica and Maraone. There have been archaeological findings indicating the presence of people on the islands dating back to at least the Paleolithic era and prehistoric cave paintings suggest that these islanders have always lived with, and by, the sea. To this day, fishing remains a core industry on the islands, though overfishing in previous eras has lead to a great decline in the numbers of fish in the waters surrounding the Egadi and in the value of the industry to the local area. The islands have also gone through many different rulers and changes throughout the centuries. They have been a key Carthagian stronghold, a stepping-stone of the Arabs in taking control of Sicily, owned by Genovese bankers, and then a branch of the lucrative tuna empire owned and run by the Florio family in the 19th century, until they finally became a part of the Italian state in 1937.

Tourism is increasingly important to the islands but it has also become better cared for and preserved by the state and is now the largest protected marine area in Europe. The waters around the Egadi Islands are, in fact, home to Posidonia meadows, which are like large submerged tropical forests and are important habitats in which many fish species make their home. In addition, the Egadi are home to lots of resident and migratory bird species, some rather special cetaceans, sea turtles, the rare Monk Seal, and many other extraordinary and precious examples of flora and fauna, which are to be admired and respected by visitors.

Favignana is the largest island of the Egadi and is mostly flat. Hiring bikes to get around is a given here and you'll find rentals at great rates on the island. Most visitors spend their time on the island cycling around and admiring the rugged coastline's ravines, coves, caves, and turquoise waters. There are lots of great spots to go swimming such as at the beautiful Cala Rossa (although it is not ideal for kids as it is hard to get into the water from the rocky shore), and the Grotte del Bue Marino, where you'll find people diving into the stunningly clear water from the craggy rocks, and the fine sandy beach of Cala Azzurra, where you'll find families frolicking, enjoying the powdery bay, and snorkelling in the shallow waters. Other popular swimming spots on Favignana include Lido Burrone, Scalo Cavallo, Cala del Pozzo, and Punta Sottile. It is also well worth exploring the pretty old port town and settling down in one of the local restaurants with a sea view, something delicious to eat, and a great glass of wine once you have worked up an appetite from darting all over the island.

Levanzo, meanwhile, is where you'll find those prehistoric cave-paintings and impossibly pretty surroundings that look like something you'd see on a postcard, particularly in the port village with its cluster of little white buildings around the bay. Hilly and pretty, there are some pleasant walks to be had along the coast and through the rural interior of the island. There are also some lovely swimming spots here as well, including the small pebble beach of Cala Fredda, the Calla Minnola, which boasts a pine forest and a waterslide, and the Caletta del Faraglione, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Between Cala Minnola and Punta Altarella you can try out a more unique diving experience that takes visitors past a Roman ship wreck and wine amphorae and fragments of black-painted ceramic pottery dating from the first century BC. Head then to the Grotta del Genovese to see a fascinating example of Paleolithic cave art that is considered one of the most interesting prehistoric sites in the world.

Finally, there is the wild and more remote Marettimo. A mountainous island, there are various hiking and trekking routes of differing levels of difficulty to try out, with wildflowers, ruins, and pretty views to take in along the way. Head to the Punta Troia and take in the restored homonymous Norman castle towers, visit the Roman Houses (the remains of a large building dated to between the 1st and 2nd century AD), explore the little Byzantine church, admire the Lighthouse of Punta Libeccio, stop by the panoramic viewpoint at Semaforo, seek out some of the around 400 submerged and emerged caves along the coast, and enjoy some exceptional diving excursions. The wildest of the islands, this is the spot for adventurers!

Of course, doing not much of anything at all (much as there is to be done on the islands), it also appealing and some island-hopping and pottering around the Egadi Islands is highly pleasant. Sample the local food and drink, watch the world go by, enjoy the different colours and charms of the islands, go for a dip in the water, and simply soak up this beautiful part of the world! Fishing tourism is also very popular throughout the islands and fishing trips can be arranged with local fishermen at the fishing harbours. And if you're looking for peace and quiet, just avoid the peak months of July and August when most Italians are on holidays and descend on the Egadi in greater numbers.

Easily accessible by hydrofoil from Trapani or Marsala, there are lots of services to the Egadi Islands, making planning day-trips and island-hopping adventures very easy. Trapani is the principal port for the Egadi Islands and offers frequent ferry services to each of the islands operated by Ustica Lines and Siremar. Hydrofoils are the quickest way to get to the islands and are swift passenger-only vessels but, while fast and efficient, won't offer a particularly lovely experience of getting to the islands as their salt-encrusted windows don't boast great views. If you just want to get to the Egadi Islands as quickly as possible, however, they are just the thing! Siremar also offers car ferry services which are cheaper and slower and allow you take in more of your surroundings as you make your way to the islands but Favignana is the only island with a road network and there are restrictions on bringing cars along with you. You can look into it if you really want to bring a vehicle but you're better off leaving it in the carpark at Trapani's port for the day. Uscita Lines also offers ferry connections between Favignana and Marsala, with around three leaving per day at the moment. Both Uscita Lines and Siremar offer connections between the islands, making seeing at least two islands in one day an easy enough feat. Just pick up timetables at their ticket kiosks and be sure to keep an eye on the times when you are waiting on particular services as hydrofoil tickets can quickly add up.

So, if you are looking for a peaceful and beautiful spot to getaway, somewhere with lots to do and enough appeal to do nothing at all, then find a luxury villa in Sicily and come explore the stunning Egadi Islands – one of the best hidden gems in all of Italy!