Discover Giglio Porto: Harbor, History and Island Trails

Harbor Town with History

Giglio Porto is the island’s only harbor and the landing place for ferries from Porto Santo Stefano. These reach Giglio Porto in about an hour. Ferry services operate daily year-round, with higher frequency in summer. Travel to Giglio Porto therefore depends on the approximate crossing time and the seasonally varying ferry schedule. For you, the town thus provides a clear framework between ferry arrival and exploring the island.

The Torre del Saraceno in Giglio Porto was built in 1596 at the behest of Ferdinand I of Tuscany. The Villa Marittima dei Domizi Enobarbi in Giglio Porto was built in the second half of the 1st century BC.

Paths between Porto and Castello

The ancient mule track from Giglio Porto to Giglio Castello, paved with granite stones, is an easy walking route. The mule track offers a view of Arenella Beach. The historic path combines walking with a coastal view.

The official route from Giglio Castello via Cannelle Beach to Giglio Porto connects both towns and passes along Cannelle Beach. Alongside the ancient mule track, this provides another specific connection between Giglio Castello and Giglio Porto.

For orientation on the trails, the Info Park point at Via Provinciale 9 in Giglio Porto provides official maps for the trail networks of Giglio and Giannutri. These maps therefore include both island areas in the practical planning of your excursions.

Sea, Bays and Island Experiences

Diving centers in Giglio Porto offer guided dives and diving courses for all training levels. The Barcaioli of Giglio Porto take visitors by boat to beaches and bays that cannot be reached by other means. The Barcaioli also offer island tours with swimming stops. This gives you a varied program combining guided dives, boat excursions and swims along the coast.

The Palio Marinaro dell’Isola del Giglio is a rowing regatta between the districts of Chiesa, Moletto and Saraceno in Giglio Porto. The Festa di San Lorenzo in Giglio Porto includes a procession on the sea in honor of the Madonna Stella Maris; it is celebrated on August 10.

Traces at Caletta del Saraceno

A footpath beginning at the Torre del Saraceno leads to the small cove of Caletta del Saraceno. At Caletta del Saraceno, the walls of a cetaria for breeding moray eels can be seen at water level. Parts of the Roman villa of the Domizi Enobarbi have also been preserved and remain visible there.

In the immediate vicinity of Giglio Porto, Cala dello Smeraldo can be reached in a ten-minute walk.

Other destinations in the same island hierarchy: Cala Spalmatoio.

For the higher-level travel overview: Isola Del Giglio.