Giglio ferries
The Isola del Giglio is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful pearls of the Tuscan Archipelago and rises right in front of the promontory of Monte Argentario, about 12 miles from Porto Santo Stefano.
The islet is a true oasis surrounded by the crystalline waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and a destination loved not only by the many tourists who choose it every year to spend their summer holidays, but also by many Maremma residents, who love it for its simple beauty and for the relative ease of reaching it, only an hour by ferry from Porto Santo Stefano!
Together with Montecristo and Giannutri, the Isola del Giglio is the one closest to Monte Argentario and is certainly one of the most particular. It hosts three villages: Giglio Porto, Giglio Castello and Giglio Campese. Giglio Porto is certainly the busiest, ferries and private boats dock here, there are many hotels and B&Bs, the promenade is beautiful with fish restaurants and local craft shops. Giglio Castello is the oldest town, dominated by the imposing fortress and the city walls. Giglio Campese is famous above all as a seaside resort, ideal especially for families with small children, here there is in fact a large sandy beach and shallow waters.
How to reach Giglio Island
If you are expert navigators, you can rent a dinghy or a small boat and reach the island independently. However, keep in mind that it is 12 miles from Porto Santo Stefano and that it is therefore necessary to have a boat license (mandatory beyond 6 miles from the coast).
Another way is by booking a daily excursion with the mini-cruises that leave throughout the summer from both Porto Santo Stefano and Talamone. A mini-cruise is certainly ideal if you want to have the opportunity to visit all the most beautiful places on the Tuscan island, in fact you will be taken to the most beautiful coves of Giglio, where you can enjoy a few hours of relaxation by snorkelling or simply relaxing under the sun , and also in the delightful village of Giglio Porto. Mini-cruises are certainly the ideal solution if you want to spend a day without thinking about anything except enjoying the beauty of the Tuscan island. In fact, it is also possible to book lunch on board, with a little extra, and savor excellent fish dishes while admiring the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Approximately the mini-cruises leave at 10 in the morning and return at 5.00 pm, the ticket for adults costs approximately €25.
If, on the other hand, you want to experience the island independently, the best solution is certainly that of a ferry departing from nearby Porto Santo Stefano. Two companies offer transport service to and from the island of Giglio, Toremar and Maregiglio, with several daily trips throughout the year. There are also routes to the island of Giannutri. The connections to and from the island of Giglio are made every day from approximately 6 in the morning until 6 in the evening, the average cost of a ticket for an adult is €15. It is also possible to bring your own car, by booking in advance, at a cost of around €45. The journey time is approximately 1 hour.
The embarkation point for Giglio Island is located right at the beginning of the village of Porto Santo Stefano, in Piazzale Candi 8. Opposite the embarkation you will also find the ticket offices of the two shipping companies, Maregiglio and Toremar. If you have decided to transport your car to Giglio Island, you will need to park your vehicle directly at the boarding point. If, on the other hand, you have to leave your car in Porto Santo Stefano, we advise you to leave it in one of the paid municipal car parks (hourly rate) or in one of the supervised car parks:
- Parking in Via Scalabrelli – €10 daily rate in low season – €15 daily rate in high season
- Via del Capone car park – €8 daily rate for multi-day parking – €10 daily rate for single-day parking
