Giannutri Island in the south of the Tuscan Archipelago

Giannutri is the southernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago: a rocky, crescent-shaped islet off the coast of Monte Argentario, with no cars, no hotels, and just 27 registered inhabitants. Visitors come for a day – to swim in clear water, explore the ruins of a Roman villa, and dive. Here you can read how to get there and what the rules are in the national park.

The island at a glance

Giannutri is approximately 2,6 km² in size, about 3 km long, and just over 900 m wide at its widest point – after Gorgona, it is the second smallest of the seven main islands of the archipelago. Its highest point is Poggio di Capel Rosso at 89 meters. The island lies about 12 km south of Monte Argentario and about 14 km southeast of Giglio , to whose municipality it belongs (province of Grosseto ). The coastline consists of limestone cliffs with small coves; sandy beaches are practically nonexistent.

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Fact	Value
Area	approx. 2,6 km²
Length / Width	approx. 3 km / just over 900 m
The highest point	Poggio di Capel Rosso, 89 m
population	27 (reported)
Church Community	Giglio Island (GR)
Protection status	Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Marine Protected Areas

Arrival and visit

Ferry from Porto Santo Stefano

The ferry from Maregiglio connects Porto Santo Stefano on Monte Argentario with Giannutri; the crossing takes about an hour. The ferry does not run daily: in summer there are several departures per week, in winter only a few. Typically, departures are in the morning and the return trip in the afternoon, making a day trip quite feasible. Check the current days and times in the Maregiglio timetable . Cars are not allowed on the island. For directions to the coast and Porto Santo Stefano, see Tuscan coast from Grosseto to Monte Argentario.

Boat trips and own boat

During the season, excursion boats (mini-cruises) travel to Giannutri, often combined with a trip to Giglio; the island ticket is usually included. You can find offers, for example, under "Day Trips from Monte Argentario" on GetYourGuide . If you have your own boat, you are only permitted to land in the two bays of Cala dello Spalmatoio (east coast) and Cala Maestra (west coast).

Rules in the National Park

• Each visitor pays an island ticket of €2,50 (as of 2026); for scheduled ferry services and mini-cruises, it is included in the fare.
• The two bays, Cala Spalmatoio and Cala Maestra, as well as the connecting road between them, are freely accessible. Swimming is also permitted there.
• All other paths may only be used with a guide from the national park.
• There are marine protected zones around the island: In zone 1 access, swimming and diving are prohibited, in zone 2 swimming is allowed, but scuba diving and fishing are not permitted.
• Diving is only permitted with approved dive centers, with a maximum of 6 divers per guide.
• There are no hotels, and camping is prohibited. Bring water, sunscreen, and provisions – visitor facilities are only open seasonally.

The binding rules are available on the website of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.

Things to see on Giannutri

Villa Romana of the Domitier

Nahe der Cala Maestra liegen die Reste einer großen römischen Villa aus dem 1./2. Jahrhundert n. Chr., die der Familie der Domitii Ahenobarbi zugeschrieben wird – aus ihr stammte der Vater Kaiser Neros. Die Anlage zog sich in Terrassen den Hang hinunter und hatte einen eigenen Anleger. Erhalten sind Mauern, Säulen, Zisternen, Reste der Thermen und Mosaikböden, darunter ein Labyrinth-Mosaik. Die Villa ist nur bei geführten Besichtigungen des Parks zugänglich (ca. 40 Minuten), die Sie online beim Nationalpark buchen.

Nature trail to the Capel Rosso lighthouse

Die zweite geführte Tour des Parks (ca. 1,5 Stunden) führt durch Macchia nach Süden zum Leuchtturm von Capel Rosso aus der Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts oder nach Norden zur Punta San Francesco. Die Wanderung ist leicht und ohne nennenswerte Steigungen.

Diving and Snorkeling

The clear water, Posidonia seagrass meadows, and several shipwrecks make Giannutri a popular diving destination. The most famous wrecks are the Anna Bianca (at a depth of approximately 40–50 m) and the Nasim (around 60 m) – destinations for experienced divers. The remains of a Roman ship lie off Punta Scaletta. Dives are only permitted through authorized dive centers, for example, from Monte Argentario. Snorkeling is allowed in the designated swimming areas of the two bays.

History

Archaeological finds show that Giannutri was visited in prehistoric times. The island was situated on an important shipping route along the Tyrrhenian coast – as evidenced by the shipwrecks scattered around the island. During Roman times, the Domitian villa with harbor facilities was built at Cala Maestra. Today, most of the houses are holiday homes, occupied only during the summer months.

Other islands in the archipelago: Elba , Giglio , Capraia , Pianosa and Montecristo.

Frequently asked questions about the island of Giannutri