It’s the landing port for the ferries from Porto Santo Stefano. And it is also the starting point for the itineraries to visit Giglio Island. Once at Giglio Porto, you will discover a place that offers history and nature. And here’s what to see.
Giglio Porto: the most beautiful places
- Chiesa dei Santi Lorenzo e Mamiliano. The construction of Giglio Porto parish church began in 1915 and it was consecrated in 1958. Its facade is similar to the basilica del Sacro Cuore of Grosseto. The interior of the church named after Lorenzo and Mamiliano, patrons of the island, has a single nave.
- Torre del Saraceno. Also known as the Torre del Porto (“tower of the port”), it is located in the centre of Giglio Porto, on a granite cliff. This medieval tower has a circular plan and a panoramic terrace on its top.
- Torre del Lazzaretto. Overlooking the sea north of Giglio Porto. It was built by Cosimo de’ Medici in the second half of the Sixteenth century as a defence against pirate raids. During the 18th century, it was also used as a lazaretto (leper hospital), hence the name. Today it is part of a private complex.
- Castellare del Giglio. It was a fortification built at the end of the Sixteenth century on the hill behind the Saraceno tower, in order to protect the harbour bay. Today, nothing remains of this structure.
- Rovine romane. The Roman finds are located in the southern part of the bay of Giglio Porto, near Torre del Saraceno.
- Rioni. The village of Giglio Porto is traditionally divided into three districts, each of which has its own colours: Church (white and green), Moletto (yellow and light blue) and Saraceno (red and black). Every year, the three districts compete in the Palio marinaro on August 10th, on the occasion of the celebrations for the patron San Lorenzo.
- Beaches. Near Giglio Porto there are some of the most beautiful beaches of Giglio Island. Such as Cannelle beach, with its fine white sand and granite rocks, and Cala Caldane, with its white sand and a rocky promontory covered with Mediterranean scrub.
Itineraries…
It is worth repeating, so we can give you further ideas for your next vacation: Giglio Porto, in practice, is the starting point of almost all the itineraries to discover the island.
Itineraries such as:
- What to see on Giglio Island in one day;
- What to see on Giglio Island in two days.
…and villages
And talking about the places to see, Giglio Port isn’t the only attraction on this little but wonderful island. In this regard, we can suggest you:
- What to see in Giglio Castello and what to see in Giglio Campese, the other villages on the island;
- What to see on Giannutri, an islet that represents a great idea for a day trip.
What to do in the evening
Beaches, excursions and places to see are certainly important. But you also want to know what to do on Giglio Island in the evening. Well, in the three villages (Giglio Porto, Giglio Campese and Giglio Castello) you can find restaurants and clubs.
Image source: Flickr.com/photos/greenery
