Giglio Island Beaches
The Island of Giglio, as we all know by now and as legend has it, is a pearl of the Tuscan Archipelago, which also holds within it other hidden gems: this is the case of its beaches, rare and extraordinarily beautiful.
The four Giglio Island's main beaches are partially equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds, and partially free.
Three of these are located on the east side of the island, near Giglio Porto, while the largest, extends to Giglio Campese, on the west side.
This is where our exploration of the most beautiful beaches and coves on Giglio Island begins.
Giglio Island beaches: Campese, the largest
Campese beach, with its wide shoreline, is the largest on the entire island of Giglio.
This beach features free areas alternating with bathing establishments, complete with sunbeds, umbrellas, bars, restaurants and children's play areas.
The sand, of a grainy and characteristic red color - the color of pyrite mined from the nearby Franco mine (whose pylons can still be seen in the middle of the wide bay where the beach is located) adds a unique charm.
Among the natural attractions that we can admire at this beach on Giglio Island, you can admire a beautiful view of the island of Montecristo Emerging behind the stacks, as well as Elba Island and Corsica looming on the horizon., offering spectacular sunsets, always different every day.
Continuing south along the beach, you come to the residential complex "La Marina" and the beginning of the path up the Franco promontory, leading to the small Pertuso Beach and to the Pozzarelli beach.
For rock lovers, these more secluded coves are easily accessible on foot and offer a comfortable place to relax, away from the noise of mass tourism.
Because of its convenience, Campese beach is popular with both families and young people, who like to stay until cocktail hour, making it a popular spot for those seeking to enjoying the sea of Giglio Island at its best.
How to get to Campese beach
Campese beach is about 5 km from Giglio Castello and 7 km from Giglio Porto, and is easily accessible by car or bus. The latter Part every 20 minutes during the summer And it costs only 2 euros each way.
As for parking, it is possible to leave the car at the Sports Field, which is located just behind the beach. The cost is 1 euro per hour or 3 euro for a day ticket.
If you prefer parking in the blue stripes, the cost is 7 euros for a day ticket.
Discovering the Cannelle beach
Second in size, but probably first in fame, we find the famous Cannelle beach.
This pearl that we find close to the sea of Giglio Island is distinguished by its White sand, very fine and shiny, reminiscent of distant ocean beaches.
The sea, a vivid emerald color, gradually turns deep blue as you move away from the coast.
Le Cannelle attracts tourists of all kinds, from young people to families and couples, not only because of its rare beauty but also because of its location just 1 km from Giglio Porto.
This beach, easily accessible by foot, scooter, car, or cab and cab boat services, has a self-service bar/restaurant and paid parking.
Nearby you can find the small Emerald Cove, a perfect option for those who prefer rocks to sand.
Caldane Beach
Among the most striking beaches on Giglio Island, the Caldane is a real gem to be discovered.
Located 2 km from Giglio Porto, can be reached on foot starting from the Cannelle or by sea, renting a boat or using the Taxi Boat service.
The isolation makes the Caldane one of the wildest and most unspoiled corners of Giglio Island, with just a few houses hidden among the lush Mediterranean scrub. Although the beach is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, there is no bar or toilet facilities, so it is advisable to bring food and drinks with you.
The sand of the Caldane, a thick, golden sandstone, gently massages the feet and gives a sense of inner peace.
The sea of Giglio Island here shows all its splendor: Diving into these waters, you can swim surrounded by schools of wrasse that are not afraid to approach the shore, and snorkel along the reef to the nearby Pod Cove or toward Torricella Cove, where you can admire the abundance of urchins on the rocks and the variety of marine fauna and flora.
The Caldane is the perfect place for those who wish to disconnect for a while from the routine: Cell phone signal is poor here, which invites you to fully enjoy the environment and tranquility.
The return to the village will be an opportunity to Tag us in your posts on Instagram, so they can tell their own experience on the beautiful beaches of Giglio Island.
Arenella Beach
Among the fascinating beaches of Giglio Island, north of Giglio Porto and Tucked away behind the Lazzaretto promontory after Cala Cupla, stretches the Arenella beach, always loved by Castellans.
This part of the sea of Giglio Island. Is a true autonomous ecosystem, consisting not only of nature but also of the residents of nearby houses and visitors staying in the two neighboring hotels, who gather here every year for vacation.
Arenella, surrounded by the majestic turtle rock on one side and other rocks on the other, is the favorite beach of connoisseurs, those who know the island well and return year after year.
Its thick, golden sandy shore, of granite origin, recalls that of the Caldane (at one time, right next to the beach, there was one of the island's many granite quarries).
To reach the Arenella, about 2 km away from Giglio Porto, you can opt for a walk along the main road, a scooter ride, a car ride or the convenient Taxi and Taxi Boat services always available from Giglio Porto.
In addition to enjoying the well-equipped beach, visitors can take advantage of the simple bar/restaurant and the parking reserved for bathing establishment customers. It is also possible to rent small boats without a license to explore the sea of Giglio Island at one's leisure.
During the summer (June 1 to September 30), access to free beaches for dogs is limited to specific times, until 7 a.m. and after 8 p.m., according to a municipal regulation.
As for bathing establishments, each facility has its own regulations.
Although regulations may be restrictive on the main beaches, access to the various coves usually presents no problems, as long as the dog is kept on a leash and a muzzle is available.
Guide dogs for the blind or visually impaired, on the other hand, can circulate freely throughout the island, as an exception to current regulations.
Reaching the beaches of Giglio Island is easy, with Maregiglio ferries!
Have you seen how many opportunities you can find in Giglio, to spend pleasant days of relaxation and fun at the sea?
To discover the beautiful beaches and coves of Giglio, all you have to do is pack your bags and take a ferry.
With which company? Maregiglio, of course! For over 50 years, we have been the leading maritime transportation company for Giglio Island and Giannutri, and today we offer a top-notch on-board service With modern boats from our fleet.
Booking Maregiglio ferries is super easy, you can do everything online, from the comfort of your couch at home, so you can be sure to have your seat even during the busiest tourist periods.
Alternatively, you always have ways to be able to book travel at our physical ticket office, located in Porto Santo Stefano, at 6/7 Facchinetti Square.
All of our ferries depart from Porto Santo Stefano and travel the two routes to Giglio Island or for Giannutri.
You can safely leave your car in the village, there are specially equipped areas for parking, from which you will be able to easily reach the boarding area, located in Piazzale Candi 8, at the Port of the Valley.
Would you like to spend a few hours exploring the beaches of Giglio Island, and you have no way of being able to plan a long-term trip?
No problem! With the mini-cruises organized by Maregiglio, you get to spend a wonderful day discovering the sea and coastline of our territory!
You are spoiled for choice; here are our options:
