Ferry from Italy to Giglio Island

About Italy

Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula situated in the Mediterranean Sea at the bottom of Western Europe, with the Tyrrhenian Sea to the West, Ionian Sea to the South and Adriatic Sea to the East. Italy is the fifth most visited country in the world and contains more World Heritage Sites than any other country. Although Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence are the top tourist destinations in Italy, the country’s rich collections of art, culture and literature from many different periods and regions make it impossible to judge on where the most interesting location is. With around four thousand miles of coastline, with countless gulfs, inlets, and long sandy beaches, Italy is truly adapted to the vacation lovers every need. Coastal cities with their sea resorts and awesome beaches are easily reachable by car with a variety of ferries and vessels large and small ready to sail you there.

About Giglio Island

Giglio Island, or Isola del Giglio is an Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, just off the coast of Tuscany. It is situated west of the Argentario promontory, approximately seven miles away. The island has a small population of 1,600 and 17 miles of glorious sandy beaches. This tiny, mountainous island doesn't have an airport so the only way to reach Giglio is by ferry. The journey from Porto Santo Stefano, on the Italian mainland to Giglio port takes approximately an hour with a frequency of up to 4 crossings daily. Buses run between the three main towns on the island throughout the year and are more frequent in the summer. Boats can be rented from Giglio Porto, or visitors can take a Taxi Boat, or book a boat with a driver in order to take a trip around the island. The rich history of the island is still accessible to the contemporary visitor through buildings such as the Roman Villa ruins, excavated in 1918, in Giglio Porto, or the old Saracen Tower built in 1596 by Ferdinand de Medici. Right in the centre of the island sits Giglio Castello which is a medieval hilltop village completely encircled by high fortress walls with seven of its original ten towers still intact. This imposing fortress was originally built in the twelfth century by the Pisans, and was then restored and reinforced by Ferdinand II de Medici in 1623. The parish church of San Pietro is located inside the fortress walls and it contains frescos and relics dating back to the fourteenth century. Giglio Island offers a wealth of delights to vacationers. There are many golden beaches for sunbathing and a network of footpaths for the more adventurous seeking breath-taking views. Each of the three main towns, Giglio Porto, Giglio Castello, and Giglio Campese cater for different appetites, but delicious Tuscan cuisine, fresh fish and seafood is in plentiful supply; those wishing to sample the local wines can do so in the old wine cellars of the Fortress. Should you wish for a more active itinerary you could go horse-riding, swimming, or snorkelling in the crystal clear waters. Lessons in diving, canoeing and windsurfing are also available.