Cala Rossa

Cala Rossa is probably the best-known coastal landscape on Favignana and one of the most photographed in the whole Egadi archipelago. It lies on the north-eastern side of the island, in a natural amphitheatre where pale calcarenite walls, cut for centuries by tuff quarrymen, drop towards a sea that turns from emerald green to deep blue within a few metres.

The descent to the shore is over rock and gravel, along paths that require care and proper footwear: it is not suitable for pushchairs, for people with reduced mobility or for anyone unsure on their feet. There are no facilities on site and natural shade is scarce, so water, a hat and sun protection should be brought along.

The seabed falls away quickly and offers some of the finest snorkelling on the island, with vertical walls, rock blocks and shifting light; this is within the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area, where respecting the seagrass meadows and marine life is an essential part of the visit.

The cove is open to northerly winds: when the wind blows from the north, swell enters the bay and swimming can become difficult, while with southerly winds the sea is generally calmer. The practical advice is to arrive early in the morning or in the late afternoon, both for the light and to avoid summer crowds, and always to check sea conditions before leaving town.