Giannutri
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At just over 2 and a half square kilometres, Giannutri is the smallest island of the Tuscan Archipelago (Arcipelago Toscano) that can be visited without special permission (see Gorgona).
It is also the most southerly of the island group, lying to the south east of its nearest neighbour Giglio and 29 kilometres from Porto Santo Stefano on the Tuscan mainland. The island's tiny population of 10 or so inhabitants are governed under the auspices of the Province of Grosseto. |
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Without doubt, the place to see and the place to be on the island is Cala Spalmatoio; this is the bay where you arrive and where you are most likely to spend the majority of your visit. The water really sparkles here, an impossibly bright blue offset against the multi-coloured rocks and deep green of the trees flanking the bay.
There are no hotels on the island as such but there are plenty of holiday homes which have been purpose-built around the main area of life; a little square known as "La Piazzetta". Here there are various facilities including a mini-market and a restaurant although I have to say, the restaurant was closed when I visited which left me somewhat high and dry. I managed to fashion a meal out of slices of processed cheese and burger buns, bought at a premium from the convenience store, so I would strongly advise to bring supplies with you just in case as there are no other dining options apart from that.
There is another beach on the island, on the opposite side to Cala Splamatoio, called Cala Maestra; a walk of around fifteen minutes. The water here is nowhere near as spectacular but it's at least worth a look and a walk.
On the day of my visit I had set out just to take some photos and be on my way as soon as possible but as it turned out with the ferry times, I'd seen everything fairly quickly and then had quite a long wait before I could return to the mainland. I parked myself on the rocks at the edge of the bay, having not brought any swimming trunks or a towel with me and rather regretting both of those things, so inviting was the water. Back in the Piazzetta there was a man selling hats and towels so I bought a towel and went swimming just in my underwear. That's very unlike me, I'm not massively into swimming but the water there really was irresistible.
To get to Giannutri you need to take a ferry from Porto Santo Stefano on the Monte Argentario peninsula. Weather-permitting there are ferries to the island all year round on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while during the summer there are also crossings on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.
The journey time from Porto Santo Stefano is around an hour and if you have time I'd recommend staying at the port town for at least a couple of nights. That way you can visit Giannutri and also the island of Giglio, the ferries for which leave from the same port.
There are no hotels on the island as such but there are plenty of holiday homes which have been purpose-built around the main area of life; a little square known as "La Piazzetta". Here there are various facilities including a mini-market and a restaurant although I have to say, the restaurant was closed when I visited which left me somewhat high and dry. I managed to fashion a meal out of slices of processed cheese and burger buns, bought at a premium from the convenience store, so I would strongly advise to bring supplies with you just in case as there are no other dining options apart from that.
There is another beach on the island, on the opposite side to Cala Splamatoio, called Cala Maestra; a walk of around fifteen minutes. The water here is nowhere near as spectacular but it's at least worth a look and a walk.
On the day of my visit I had set out just to take some photos and be on my way as soon as possible but as it turned out with the ferry times, I'd seen everything fairly quickly and then had quite a long wait before I could return to the mainland. I parked myself on the rocks at the edge of the bay, having not brought any swimming trunks or a towel with me and rather regretting both of those things, so inviting was the water. Back in the Piazzetta there was a man selling hats and towels so I bought a towel and went swimming just in my underwear. That's very unlike me, I'm not massively into swimming but the water there really was irresistible.
To get to Giannutri you need to take a ferry from Porto Santo Stefano on the Monte Argentario peninsula. Weather-permitting there are ferries to the island all year round on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while during the summer there are also crossings on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.
The journey time from Porto Santo Stefano is around an hour and if you have time I'd recommend staying at the port town for at least a couple of nights. That way you can visit Giannutri and also the island of Giglio, the ferries for which leave from the same port.
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Category: The Tuscan Archipelago (Arcipelago Toscano)
Administrative area: Grosseto Province Population: 10 Size: 2.6 km² Highlights: Cala Spalmatoio, Cala Meastra Recommended accommodation: Bike & Boat Argentario Hotel |
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Arrival port: Cala Spalmatoio
Journey time from mainland: 1 hour Distance from nearest mainland port: 29 km |
Arrive by: Ferry
Arrive from: Porto Santo Stefano Best airports: Rome Fiumicino (183 km), Pisa Airport (230 km) |
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