Guide of Giglio

Isola del Giglio is part of the Tuscan Archipelago and is located in front of Monte Argentario, it is part of the province of Grosseto. This hilly landscape has been inhabited since the time of the Iron Age, becoming an Etruscan military base and playing quite an important role due to its geographic location under Roman rule.

Places to visit 

Over the centuries Isola del Giglio has been governed by the Pisans and then by the Medici and during the Middle Ages it was under the Aldobrandeschi, then it was under the municipality of Perugia, and Florence. The island suffered many attacks from the Saracens, who sacked and deported the Islanders. On Giglio, it is possible to visit Domizi Enobarbi, a large area that includes a sea fish tank, frescoes, mosaics and structures along the sea with a hanging terrace. There are various coastal towers on the island including Torre del Saraceno, Campese and Lazzaretto. There are also forts such as Mura di Giglio Castle, which has medieval origins and Rocca Aldobrandesca, overlooking the perimeter walls. A festival much loved by the inhabitants of the island is the feast of San Lorenzo, patron saint of Giglio held on 10th of August each year.  They hold a traditional regatta and have a procession and fireworks. During the last week of September, there is the grape festival and open cellars, in the village of Giglio Castello there are stalls offering food and wine.

Beaches

The island of Giglio is a popular destination for diving lovers, as it is possible to do some difficult dives at over 35 meters depth, there are beautiful red gorgonias and other very rare marine fauna to see. Among the beaches on the Island of Giglio, there is Spiaggia del Campese, the largest and most touristy. Arenella beach in the northern part of the island is a rather private beach and offers a very scenic landscape and breathtaking colours. Spiaggia delle Cannelle is characterized by very fine white sand and a tropical sea, the waters are shallow and ideal for families with children. The Caldane Beach is the smallest on the island and can be reached only by sea or on foot, it is located between granite rocks and golden sand.