Isola del Giglio – Island Nature, Beaches and History

Isola del Giglio combines a striking mountainous landscape with beaches in bays, historic sites and clear waters. A mountain range runs from northwest to southeast across the island; at 496 metres above sea level, Poggio della Pagana is its highest point. The southwestern part lies within the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano. This gives the island different focal points for your stay: you can combine coastal and marine experiences with hiking, culture and regional traditions.

Granite, Mediterranean scrub and the coast of Campese

Isola del Giglio consists almost entirely of granite. A small geological exception is the Promontorio del Franco, with its sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The vegetation also reflects the island’s history: Mediterranean scrub is increasingly covering the terraces that were once cultivated as vineyards. During their long migrations, birds use Isola del Giglio as a resting and feeding site. More than 700 plant and flower species shape the island; resident bird species include the rare Audouin’s gull, which is also the symbol of the park. The island’s largest beach is Campese. Its reddish sand lies between a distinctive rock tower to the south and a Medici tower to the north. The beach can be reached by bus and water taxis. For a further view of the coast, the Faro di Capel Rosso is currently not a destination for visitors: the lighthouse is closed to the public, and the surrounding area is cordoned off. You should take the different access options and restrictions into account when choosing your day trips.

Historic sites and geological insights

Giglio Castello is a medieval village on the island surrounded by walls. The Rocca Pisana forms the highest point of the village; from inside it, the 360-degree view extends across the sea and the Tyrrhenian coast. The Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo preserves, among other things, reliquaries of Popes Urban I and Urban VIII, sacred furnishings of Pope Innocent XIII, and an ivory crucifix from the 16th century attributed to Giambologna. Historic traces can also be found along the coast. At the Caletta del Saraceno, the walls of the Cetaria, used for moray eel farming, and parts of the Roman villa of the Domitii Enobarbi from the 1st to 2nd century AD are visible. The Torre del Saraceno was built in 1596 at the instigation of Ferdinand I of Tuscany to encourage fishing families to return to the island. The Museo della Mineralogia e della Geologia features exhibition areas on the formation of the island, its geological and mineralogical composition, and the mining of iron and granite. The Museo Mineralogico is currently not open to visitors because it is being established at its permanent location in the Rocca Pisana in Giglio Castello. If you are interested in crossing the island, Sentiero 1 is used; it formerly served as a connection between the two villages.

Sea, trails and island culture

The clear waters and species-rich seabeds are suitable for snorkelling and offer opportunities for diving. Documented underwater habitats include Posidonia seagrass meadows, red and yellow gorgonians, blue sponges and rare seahorses. On land, you have access to a dense network of old paths stretching for more than 60 kilometres, which can be used for walking, trekking and cycling with views of the sea. Daily ferry services operate between Porto Santo Stefano on the Argentario and Giglio Porto; the crossing takes a little over an hour. For further orientation around the island, you can also include Cala Spalmatoio. The island’s calendar of events includes the patronal festivals of San Lorenzo in Giglio Castello on 10 August, San Rocco in Giglio Porto on 16 August and San Mamiliano in Campese on 15 September. They include celebrations, processions, festivities and fireworks. Music and wine are also part of the island’s culture. The MusicalGiglio Festival has existed for more than ten years and is dedicated to classical chamber music; performances take place at the Rocca Pisana, among other venues. Ansonaco is the native grape variety of Isola del Giglio. According to the traditional wine heritage passed down through the generations, its origins date back to Greek and Roman times. The grapes are suitable for drying in the sun on granite rocks and are made into a sweet Passito wine. The traditional dessert Panficato is prepared with figs, pine nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, grape jam, orange peel, cinnamon and chocolate. Usually held in September during the grape harvest, the Festa dell’Uva dell’Isola del Giglio offers wine and regional dishes for tasting in small, old cellars in the village.

For the overarching travel overview: Grosseto.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Isola del Giglio: Getting there, villages, beaches and holidays.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Cinigiano, Massa Marittima, Monterotondo Marittimo, La Torba, Casone.