Isole Egadi
Marèttimo, Favignana and Lèvanzo are the three islands off the coast of Trapani. They can be reached in 20- 60 minutes by hyrofoil ('aliscafo') and its really worth the trip. Away from the city, time here runs at a slower speed.
Favignana is the most developed island. It is a holiday place of the Italians, which means that in August everything is completely booked out and/or very expensive. The remaining eleven months are low season, so to speak. The sights on the island include the bay of Cala Rossa, the Art Nouveau building Palazzo Florio with an 'Antiquarium' (museum for ancient ships) and the Norman fortress Santa Caterina from the 13th century.
Marine Wildlife
The waters around the Egadi Islands are loved by (scuba) divers. In the largest marine Natural Reserve of the Mediterranean you will find a big variety of underwater flora and fauna. But the islands are also great for swimming and snorkeling. The water is refreshingly cool even in summer and always crystal clear.
Marettimo (the furthest away from the mainland) and Levanzo are sparsely populated islands. They are good for hiking. On Marettimo the ascent to Monte Falcone (698m) is rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view. Also worth seeing are the Saracen castle at Punta Troia and the Roman houses, case romane, from the first century AD.
The biggest attraction on Levanzo are the cave paintings in the Grotta del Genovese. They date back to around 9200.v.Chr. as the island still was connected to Sicily. Worthwhile is a circular walk around the island (15km). Spend the hot midday hours at one of the many rocky beaches or in the shade of the trees in the Cala Minnola.
