Aegadian Islands: Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo

The Egadi Islands (also spelled Aegadian) lie off Sicily's west coast: three main islands, Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo, plus the small islets of Formica and Maraone. Hydrofoils from Trapani reach them in 25 to 70 minutes. Around them lies the Isole Egadi marine protected area, which covers 53,992 hectares.

Which islands belong to the Egadi Islands?

Favignana is the largest island and lies about 16 km southwest of Trapani. The Florio family of Palermo bought the archipelago in 1874 and built a large tuna cannery on Favignana; it is now a museum. Levanzo is only about ten minutes from Favignana by hydrofoil; Paleolithic and Neolithic cave art was found on Levanzo and Favignana. Marettimo is the most distant island, a little over an hour from Trapani by hydrofoil.

On 10 March 241 BC the Roman fleet defeated the Carthaginian fleet off the Egadi Islands. That sea battle ended the First Punic War.

How do you get to the Egadi Islands?

Liberty Lines hydrofoils serve the islands from Trapani and from Marsala. The times below are approximate (as of October 2026), and timetables change with the season.

The main port of departure is Trapani; Trapani-Birgi airport (TPS) is nearby. Hydrofoils usually do not carry vehicles; if you want to take a car across, ask the ferry operators on the route.

What is the Isole Egadi marine protected area?

The Isole Egadi marine protected area was set up by a ministerial decree in 1991 and covers 53,992 hectares. Its management describes it as the largest marine reserve in Europe. It protects, among other things, seagrass meadows, reefs, caves and underwater archaeological finds. The Municipality of Favignana has managed it since 2001. Different rules for swimming, diving and anchoring apply by zone, and the management holds the zone map.

When is the best time to travel to the Egadi Islands?

Hydrofoil timetables change with the season, so the current timetable belongs before any booking. How warm the sea is in which month, and what the weather is like, is on the travel planning page. If you want to swim or dive in the marine protected area, follow the zone rules.

Which province do the Egadi Islands belong to?

The islands belong to the province of Trapani. Salt pans, Erice and the towns on the coast are described on the province of Trapani page. If you want to combine the islands with a longer stay in western Sicily, you can browse vacation rentals in Sicily.