Giglio Island

Giglio Island, the volcanic islet of the Tuscan Archipelago is located opposite the peninsula of Monte Argentario.

On Ferryhopper, you can find travel tips and useful information about the beaches, the local delicacies, and sightseeing. Check all the available ferry routes to Giglio Island, and book your ferry tickets with just a few clicks!

Beautiful sunset over the Gulf of Giglio Campese

Vacation on Giglio Island

With its 21km of extension and just over 1500 inhabitants, Giglio Island is a paradise in the Tuscan Archipelago. Here you can experience a holiday of relaxation, nature, and history. 

Suitable for families, young people, and couples, the island of Giglio satisfies everyone thanks to its stunning views, beautiful natural landscapes, and idyllic beaches. The island is perfect in every season (even in winter) with events and traditions.

How to get to Giglio Island

You can get to Giglio Island only by sea. Ferries to Giglio Porto depart from the Tuscan town of Porto Santo Stefano and are active all year round. 

Being in a central location, Porto Santo Stefano is easily accessible by car from the peninsula of Italy. If you travel by train, you will have to reach first the Orbetello Monte Argentario station and then continue by bus to Porto Santo Stefano.

Tip: the distance from Civitavecchia to Porto Santo Stefano is about 1 hour!

The colorful houses of Giglio Porto

What to do on the Giglio Island

The island of Giglio is the ideal destination for those who want to relax in a peaceful natural environment.

If you are a sea lover, you will find underwater caves, swim in dreamy waters, and explore beautiful seabeds. In addition, by renting a boat or taking a taxi boat, you can reach more secluded places, such as Cala dell’Allume and Cala del Corvo.

But Giglio Island is not just about stunning coves. The marks of its fascinating history are evident in the narrow streets of Giglio Castello. This medieval village is included in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy and it offers amazing views.

Enter the ancient churches, and explore the medieval towers and the old lighthouses of Giglio. You can also go trekking and explore the island by walking on some of its beautiful hiking trails.

After a long hike, a delicious meal is in order! Taste the local seafood and enjoy some of the most beautiful events organized all year round at Giglio Island! Among the best events are the Grape Festival and the Open Cellars Festival held every September.

Beaches on Giglio Island

The coast of Giglio Island stretches for 28km and offers beautiful bays, cliffs, and hidden coves. Here, you can find 4 of the most idyllic beaches on Giglio Island:

1. Campese: the largest beach on the island is located in its northwestern part. Its crescent bay is very impressive with a tower overlooking the coast. It has reddish sand and turquoise waters. The beach offers bathing establishments, bars, and scuba diving centers.
2. Cannelle: you will find this beautiful beach in the eastern part of Giglio, overlooking the imposing promontory of Argentario. Its shallow and sandy bottoms make it perfect for families with children. You can easily reach it on foot from the port of Giglio Island along a beautiful panoramic road.
3. Caldane: it is located in a mesmerizing natural bay south of the port of Giglio. It’s one of the most beautiful on the island. Ideal for relaxing away from the crowds, it has a clear turquoise sea. You can reach it on foot from the Cannelle beach via a path, or by boat. Here you can rent umbrellas and deck chairs, or opt for the free area.
4. Arenella: about 3km away from Giglio Porto, it is one of the smaller beaches on the island. The inlet extends between a Roman granite quarry and the well-known rock "La Tartaruga". The beach is ideal for snorkelers.

The wonderful landscape and the turquoise waters of Arenella beach at Giglio Island

Sightseeing on Giglio Island

In addition to the beaches, the island of Giglio offers various attractions from ancient churches and lighthouses to picturesque squares and villages. Here are some places on Giglio Island you shouldn't miss during your visit:

• Giglio Campese and its beautiful bay
• The church of San Pietro, which houses the treasure of Pope Innocent XIII
• Piazza Dogana, a picturesque meeting place near the port
• The Tower of Saraceno and its cove containing ruins of ancient Rome
• The underwater nativity scene of Giglio Campese, which is set up in December
• The Ancient Lighthouse, built in 1850, and the Capel Rosso lighthouse, one of the most beautiful in the southern part
• The Cote Ciombella Archaeological Park, with various prehistoric remains
• The palmenti, wine vats dug into the rocks
• The Museum of Mineralogy and Geology, with impressive findings
• The Rocca Pisana in the hamlet of Giglio Castello 
• The medieval village of Giglio Castello at sunset

Giglio Castello and its historic fortress at sunset

Nightlife on Giglio Island

If you are looking for vibrant nightlife, perhaps Giglio is not the best choice. It is a laid-back island for a relaxing vacation surrounded by nature.

The most popular places are located in the picturesque villages of Giglio Porto and Giglio Campese and are perfect for an aperitif or a cocktail overlooking the sea. Also, in the village of Giglio Castello, you can find many restaurants and wine bars to enjoy dinner with a sea view or a glass of local wine.

Food on Giglio Island

A great classic of Giglio's cusine is pesce in scaveccio. It means seafood is the main ingredient of the local delicacies and the basis of all Gigliese traditional dishes. During your holidays at Giglio Island, we recommend that you try:

• palamita sott’olio (bones in olive oil)
• olive sotto pesto (marinated olive and basil pesto sauce)
• totano ripieno alla gigliese (stuffed squid)
• pesce in scaveccio (shrimps, squids, and anchovies with hot vinegar)
• coniglio alla cacciatora (hunter-style rabbit)
• Gigliese pizza (pizza dough stuffed with anchovies and onions)
• panficato (winter dessert with black dried figs mixed with raisins and nuts)

Tip: go to “Da Fausto Pastry Bar”, the best bakery in Giglio to try panficato and other delicious, traditional sweets.

The typical Gigliese sweet, panficato

Tips

Here are 4 useful tips for your stay on Giglio Island:

1. For those who want to go to Giglio on weekends and in the high season months, it is advisable to book the ferry in advance, especially if you are traveling with a vehicle.
2. If you have a dog you must know that Isola del Giglio is dog-friendly! In fact, most of the beaches allow access to 4-legged friends, but bathing is still prohibited.
3. You can also discover Giglio by bicycle thanks to the various routes that cross the island and which are suitable for everyone.
4. From June to September the Maregiglio company, in collaboration with the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, offers a trip to the nearby island of Giannutri. You can take advantage of it every Thursday and also have a guided tour of the Roman Villa.

Useful information about Giglio Island

Giglio Island is made up of 3 hamlets: Giglio Porto, Campese and Castello. Giglio Porto is the main area of ​​the island. Here, you will find most of the services, several restaurants, bars, and shops.

Campese is instead very popular for its beautiful bay and its options for accommodation, while Giglio Castello is a charming medieval village. You can move between the different locations thanks to the local buses and shuttle services.

If you intend to embark your vehicle on the ferry from Porto Santo Stefano al Giglio, you should consider that in August the vehicle circulation is limited and a self-certification should be completed before entering the island.

In addition to accommodation facilities, such as hotels, apartments, and B&Bs, there is also the famous Giglio Campese campsite. This is the only option for those who love camping as free camping with tents is prohibited throughout the Giglio area.

Important phone numbers for your stay on the Giglio Island

Here are some useful contacts to keep within reach during your trip to Giglio:

• Police Station (Porto): +390564809232
• Carabinieri (Castle): +390564807003
• Emergency Medical Service Giglio Porto: +390564809116
• Medical Guard Giglio Castello: +390564806068
• Medical Guard Giglio Campese: +390564804177
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Giglio

On the island of Giglio, it is possible to move around on foot, by car, by motorbike, or by bike. If you love trekking you can venture among the various hiking trails of the island and fully experience its nature.

The roads of Giglio connect the 3 main villages, so you can move around easily with your vehicle. You can also use the bus service or, alternatively, you can travel by sea by taking a taxi boat service.

Furthermore, you don't have to be an expert biker to get around the island of Giglio by bike! There are trails suitable for everyone, and the scenic roads are worth the ride.

Stunning sea view from a hiking trail on Giglio Island

The port of the Giglio Island

The port of Giglio Island is located on the eastern side, in the hamlet of Giglio Porto. This is the main area of ​​the island and has only one pier where ferries arrive.

Near the port, you will find various services such as a post office, pharmacy, petrol station, and car rental services.

Giglio Island ferry: schedules and tickets

If you want to reach the beautiful Giglio Island, just take a ferry from Porto Santo Stefano.

The Porto Santo Stefano - Giglio routes are operated by the Toremar and Maregiglio companies, with ferry routes active all year round. There are 4 daily connections and the crossing takes about 1 hour.

View of the colorful port of the island of Giglio

Where to book ferry tickets to Giglio Island online

On Ferryhopper, you can book your ferry to Giglio Island from the Tuscan coast at the best price and at no additional cost. Find all the available itineraries on our Map of ferries and get ready to discover the wonderful archipelago!