GIGLIO PORTO
A fishing village with pretty multicoloured houses on the eastern coast of the island, and the arrival point for ferries coming from Porto Santo Stefano (the seaport in Monte Argentario, two hours’ drive from The Mall Firenze).

GIGLIO CAMPESE
Another small seafaring village. Here you can marvel at the best sunsets on the island, as the golden light bathes the famous sea stack, an impressive rock that rises some 20 metres out of the water.

GIGLIO CASTELLO
The only village in the island’s interior, with spectacular views in all directions. Built by the noble Aldobrandeschi family, destroyed by pirates in 1544 and rebuilt by the Medicis, its walls boast seven rectangular-based towers and three round towers. There’s also a magnificent medieval fortress, which in the course of history has served as a residence, a fortress and a prison.

BEACHES
Needless to say, the entire island is surrounded by the spectacular sea, lapping beaches and coves to dream of. If we had to choose, we’d recommend Campese beach on the north-western coast, the largest on the island. On the east coast there’s a choice of three beaches near Giglio Porto: Cannelle, accessible on foot in approximately 20-30 minutes; Arenella, with its picturesque turtle-shaped rock, and the small gem of Caldane.

COASTAL TOWERS
The coast also has its distinctive watchtowers, which have become a symbol of the island: one at Giglio Campese (of the same name), one at Giglio Porto (the Torre del Saraceno) and another not far away called Torre del Lazzaretto. The first two are circular in shape, the third rectangular.

GIANNUTRI ISLAND
A short boat ride takes you to the stunning island of Giannutri, another idyllic spot. Don’t forget to explore the interior, with the remains of a Roman villa from the 1st century AD, which extended for five hectares near Cala Maestra in the west of the island. For information and bookings, click here to visit the website of the Archipelago Toscano National Park.

(photos Dario Garofalo, Federico Burgalassi)