Ports
Porto Santo Stefano is one of the two urban centers in the Municipality of Monte Argentario. The other is Porto Ercole located on the opposite side of the peninsula. The town faces the gulf of the Giannella coastline. If you climb the west side of the Argentario headland you can see the islands of Giglio and Giannutri. As you approach the town from the provincial road you can sense its strong seafaring tradition, which locals proudly celebrate each year on August 15 with the much anticipated Palio Marinaro. The tradition dates to the 1950s but is rooted in ancient legends and historical events. The town’s four districts — Valle, Fortezza, Croce and Pilarella — face off in this rowing regatta, one of the longest in the world. As you can tell from all the fishing boats moored at the port of Valle near where the ferries depart for the islands, Porto Santo Stefano is an active commercial and tourist hub also known internationally for sailing and recreational boating. As you drive down into the town, the view opens onto the shipyards, the commercial port and the start of the beautiful promenade that leads to the Pilarella Marina where luxury yachts are docked. An aquarium featuring a typical Mediterranean seabed is located on the seafront Lungomare dei Navigatori waterfront designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Towering over the town is the imposing Fortezza Spagnola (Spanish fortress), built at this height to guard over the port during Spanish rule in the 17th century. The building is in perfect condition and houses the permanent exhibition Memorie Sommerse e Maestri d’Ascia (Sunken Memories and Axe Masters). Visitors can admire a beautiful view from its terraces. There are also several hiking trails and scenic roads from which to admire medieval fortresses, coastal watchtowers, breathtaking sea views, a Passionist monastery, and the many beaches and coves around the Argentario, most only accessible by boat.
Porto Santo Stefano and the Argentario area in general are ideal not only for boat lovers but for diving too, one of the most popular sports here. Many diving centers operate year-round and there are many places underwater full of flora and fauna to explore.
Points of interest
- Waterfront of the Navigators
- 17th-century Spanish fortress
- Panoramic road and coastal towers
- Roman Villa of the Domitius Ahenobarbus family
- Convent of the Passionists and Torre del Telegrafo
- Capo d’Omo Tower
- Torre Argentiera
- Golf Club
If you come by car, as soon as you arrive in Santo Stefano, we suggest leaving your car at the first available parking, Del Valle, immediately at the entrance of the town, or in one of the long-term paid parking lots.
Where to park in Porto Santo Stefano (guarded parking lots):
- Argentario parking
- Asiamel parking
- Fanciulli parking
- Economy Parking
- Viaggi Vacanze parking
How to get to Porto Santo Stefano
BY TRAIN
If you arrive by train to Orbetello-Monte Argentario train station you can take the Tiemme Orbetello-Porto Santo Stefano bus. It stop right in front of Maregiglio Ticket Office, wich is 50 meters far from the boarding point located in Piazzale Candi. Here you can find the bus timetables. The bus ticket can be bought at the bar located inside Orbetello station, or online from the Tiemme webapp or from the website. The journey takes about 14 minutes and costs € 2.60.
BY CAR
- From Milano- distance 474, 19 Km- Traveling time 5h e 21 minutes
- From Firenze- distance 176, 2 Km- Traveling time 2h e 43 minutes
- From Roma- distance 154,2 km – Traveling time 1h e 50 minutes
- From Genova – distance 355 km- Traveling time 4h e 13 minutes
BY TAXI
Taxi service is available from Orbetello Monte Argentario station
The cost of the route is between 15 and 19 euros.
The following are the contacts of the active Taxi Companies:
– Pantini Evio +39 056 486 0233
-Taxi Costa D’Argento Di Giorgio Bartolini +39 347 255 4303
Where we are in Porto Santo Stefano
→ Giglio Porto,
Giglio Porto as its name suggests, is the island’s only little port. It’s a marine and commercial port, where ferries from the mainland dock. With its colorful small houses, the town stretches near the Lazzaretto promontory, named for the tower built there in 1624 and used as a hospital. On the other side of the port is the Torre del Saraceno, a tower built by Ferdinand I in 1596 to defend the island from pirate attacks. It was when the pirate raids ended that the town started to flourish demographically and commercially, as happened to many coastal towns, and it was repopulated by fishermen and traders from the south and Liguria. In the port town there are still last names typical of southern Italy, like Mattera, Ferraro, Fanciulli, and Ligurian ones like Solari, Ansaldo, Schiaffino. In the center of town, just behind the row of colored houses on the seafront promenade, is the Church of San Lorenzo, the patron saint of the town, whose saint day is on August 10. In the 2nd AD, the Romans were the first to arrive in Giglio Porto, specifically the Domitius Ahenobarbus family who built a luxurious villa right above the Caletta del Saraceno, complete with fishponds where fish were bred, known as the “Cetarea.” Its remains can still be seen in front of the Saraceno beach. It was the Romans who built the first port, which was later incorporated into the Grand Ducal Pier of 1796, now the Molo Rosso or Levante pier. In the 16th century, the Castellare del Giglio was built, a no longer existing fortification that stood dominating the hill that closes the bay of Giglio Porto to the south and overlooks the Torre del Saraceno.
- On the side of the Molo Verde, or the Ponente wharf, is a lovely little beach, “Lo Scalettino” by reefs of the same name. The completely free beach is the favorite of many local children.
- Interesting fact: one day an old sailor told me that the port’s houses each have a different color so that sailors can recognize their home from afar on their ships as they come through the channel.
– Marina
Giglio Island’s marina can hold up to 196 vessels with 20 spots for transit. The length allowed to use a berth is no longer than 25 meters. Of course, in the summer the availability is limited.
There are several prohibitions, including against anchoring, parking, swimming and fishing any species.
The Giglio Island port is usually protected from strong winds so there should be no problems during docking; prevailing winds are those from the northeast and southeast.
- SERVICES PROVIDED
Waste collection, managed by the Municipality of Giglio Island
Gas stations, usually located inside the wharf
Water supply, depending on the availability of spots
Private slides and cranes
- WHO TO CONTACT TO MOOR IN THE MARINA
- Catenary/mooring service
- +39 3388191555
- Local Maritime Office
- Telephone: 0564809480
Fax : 0564808846
e-mail : lcgiglio@guardiacostiera.gov.it
Events
- Festività in onore di San Lorenzo, generalmente durano 3 giorni a partire dall’8 agosto e culminano il 10 con il Palio Marinaro dell’Isola del Giglio e lo spettacolo pirotecnico di mezzanotte
- Ricciola Cup. Gara di Pesca organizzata generalmente il primo fine settimana di Ottobre
Where We Are in Giglio Porto
Ticket Office-via Umberto I, 22, 58012 Isola del Giglio (GR)
tel.: 0564809309
Post Office
Via Cardinale L. Oreglia, 10 -58012 Giglio Porto GR (poco prima della Chiesa)
tel: 0564 809466
Turistic Info Poi- ProLoco Isola del Giglio
Address: Via Provinciale, 9, 58012 Isola del Giglio GR
Phone: 0564 809400
email: info@visitgiglioisland.it
Local Maritime Office
Address: Via Umberto I n. 64 – 58012 Giglio Isola (GR)
Phone: 0564809480
Fax : 0564808846
PEC : cp-portosantostefano@pec.mit.gov.it
E-mail : lcgiglio@guardiacostiera.gov.it;
Orari di apertura : Dal Lunedì al Venerdì 09.30 / 12.30 – Sabato 09.00 / 11.00
Drugstore
Via Provinciale, 2 58 012 Isola del Giglio
Telefono: 0564808120
Orario di oggi: 9:00-13:00 e 16:30-19:30
Bank and ATM
Monte dei Paschi di Siena
Indirizzo: Via Provinciale, 18/20, 58012 Isola Del Giglio GR
Telefono: 0564 808037
Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze
Via Cardinale Oreglia, 14, 58013 Giglio Porto GR
Orari:
Chiude tra poco ⋅ 16:15 ⋅ Apre lun alle ore 08:30
Telefono: 0564 809241
Medical Services
Address-Via Pronvinciale
Guardia medica Giglio Porto – tel. 0564809116 – 0564483125
Guardia medica Giglio Castello – tel. 0564806068
Guardia medica Giglio Campese – tel. 0564 804177
Associazione della Misercordia- Isola del Giglio
Address– Piazza Giuseppe Rum
Tel. 0564 1836017
email: misericordiagiglio@gmail.com
Bus Stop
Piazza Giuseppe Rum
a circa 100 mt dallo sbarco del traghetto
Orari Autobus su Tiemme.it
Taxi Services Ncc-
Piazzale Giuseppe Rum
Ansaldo AndreaCell. +39 340 8732865
Blanco AntonioCell. +39 347 194188
Brizzi OttavioCell. +39 338 9706950
Toremar Ticket Office
Taxi Boat Services to beaches
Via Umberto I, 58012 (sulla destra rispetto allo sbarco dei traghetti)
Ironmongery and E-Bike Rent
Via Provinciale Porto, 48, 58012 Giglio Porto GR
Schedule: 08:30- 20:00
Phone: 377 452 5708
Veterinarian Service
Giglio Vet.- Dott.ssa Ilaria Russi
Tel +39 348 6720268
web-site: www.gigliovet.it
Osteopath & Physioterapist
Dott. Giampiero Mattera
Via del Saraceno, 58012 Giglio Porto GR
Tel: +393280051553
email: gmattera@hotmail.it
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Osteopatia-Fisioterapia-Isola-del-Giglio-464826123674413/