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 ones 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 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 ones 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
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