Exploring Giglio Island’s villages

Giglio Island spans an area of 21 square kilometers with a 28 km coastline, and it’s home to three captivating villages, each boasting its own unique charm, whether nestled by the sea or perched amid the rocks.

If you’ve chosen to spend some holiday time on Giglio, it’s essential to know about the towns you can explore upon your arrival. (Don’t forget to check the latest schedules and fares for our ferries, and we recommend booking your ticket online during peak tourist seasons). Our journey begins at Giglio Porto, the primary entry point for all ferries and boats coming to Giglio on the Porto Santo Stefano – Giglio Porto route.

Giglio Porto: A Brief History and Attractions

Giglio Porto retains the genuine essence of a maritime village.

This quaint harbor, the island’s sole commercial and tourist port, was initially established by the Romans. They laid the groundwork for what is today known as the Red Pier, or the eastern pier. During the same era, the Romans also built a luxurious villa in the present-day Saraceno Cove. Though modern homes have since integrated this villa, one can still observe remnants of ancient mosaics inside the Hotel Saraceno and traces of the Cetarea, an old fish breeding pool, in the waters of the little cove.

The brightly colored houses of the port, whose vivid hues helped sailors identify their homes from afar, are complemented by the Saraceno Tower to the south and the Lazzaretto promontory to the north.  Atop the promontory stands the Lazzaretto Tower, which, along with the Saraceno Tower, formed part of a defensive network built along the coastlines to shield the island from pirate invasions.

With the decline of these invasions, the port began its commercial growth, largely due to the settlement of fishing families from southern Italy and Liguria.

In 2013, the statue of Madonna Stella Maris was placed on the Red Pier, and the statue “The Man Who Saves the Sea” by artist Giampaolo Talani was set up on the Scalettino beach. Both statues honor the memory of the Costa Concordia victims, the ship that tragically sank in the waters of Giglio Porto on January 13, 2012.

What Awaits You at Giglio Porto

Upon disembarking, you’ll immediately be struck by the remarkable clarity of the water inside the tourist port, so pristine that it’s easy to forget it’s a harbor where ships and ferries set sail.

Venturing further inland, you’ll reach the island’s liveliest hub, with a seaside promenade teeming with restaurants, quaint shops, cafes, and boat and scooter rental spots.

Giglio Porto boasts a myriad of amenities including a post office, two banks, the Port Authority, medical services, ferry ticket offices, and various accommodations like hotels, apartments, and room rentals. The bus stop is roughly 100 meters from the ferry landing, and from here, you can also hail minivan taxis. Taxi boats, on the other hand, which take you to Giglio’s stunning beaches, depart from the side of the pier near the landing.

Among the year’s most anticipated events on Giglio Island is the San Lorenzo celebration on August 10th, which features three days of live concerts, children’s games, and the Palio Marinaro. This event is the island’s most cherished sporting occasion and showcases the vibrant hues of the three districts: Chiesa, Moletto, and Saraceno. The festivities culminate with a traditional fireworks display on August 10th. Come early October, the Ricciola Cup takes center stage, a three-day amberjack fishing competition.

From Giglio Porto, two of our guided mini-cruises or excursions depart every summer, letting you uncover the wonders of another island in the Tuscan Archipelago: Giannutri.