Gorgona Island

Gorgona is the smallest and northernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago, located about 35 km off the coast of Livorno . It is Italy's last active prison island: on this agricultural penal colony, inmates work in vineyards, vegetable gardens, and animal husbandry. Visits to Gorgona are only permitted with a guided tour, which must be booked in advance.

Where is the island of Gorgona located?

Gorgona lies in the Ligurian Sea, about 35 km west of Livorno, to whose municipality it belongs. The island is only 2,23 km² in size, and its highest point (Punta Gorgona) reaches approximately 255 m. The crossing from Livorno takes about an hour and a half. The only landing place is the small bay of Cala dello Scalo in the northeast, where the village of Gorgona Scalo is located.

Visiting Gorgona: Tours, prices and rules 2026

Because a prison operates on Gorgona, free visits are not possible. The Tuscan Archipelago National Park, in cooperation with the prison administration, offers guided hikes. Bookings for 2026 opened on February 23, 2026, through Info Park, the park's visitor service.

tour schedule

• Departure by boat from the port of Livorno; please be at the dock no later than 30 minutes before departure.
• Hike of approximately 8 km with around 250 meters of elevation gain, duration 3-4 hours, moderate to easy.
• Stops include: Belvedere viewpoint, Torre Nuova from the Medici period, Punta Paratella, the old cemetery and the Rocca Vecchia fortress.
• Whether bathing is allowed is decided by the prison administration on each day.

Booking and requirements

• Online booking via parcoarcipelago.info/gorgona or at Info Park (Tel. +39 0565 908231, info@parcoarcipelago.info).
• Reservations must be made at least 14 days in advance – personal data will be checked in advance by the prison police.
• Bring a valid ID; follow the guides' instructions, go your own way is not allowed.
• No cameras or mobile phones on the island.

Dates and conditions may change each year. Please check islepark.it for the latest information before your trip.

Gorgona prison island

The agricultural penal colony has existed since 1869 and was initially part of the prison on Pianosa . Today it is considered a model project for open prison life: The inmates – most recently a few dozen – work outdoors during the day, tending vineyards, vegetables, bees, and animals, and producing cheese and honey, among other things. Besides the inmates and staff, only a few descendants of the former fishing families live permanently on the island.

Wine from the prison island

Since 2012, the Marchesi de' Frescobaldi winery has been collaborating with the prison: inmates learn viticulture and produce a white wine sold under the name "Gorgona". Read more about the region's wines at Tuscany Wine.

Nature and sights

Around 90% of the island is covered by maquis shrubland and forest. For such a small island, Gorgona has an unusually large number of freshwater springs. Gorgona is an important resting place for migratory birds and one of the few islands where the Corsican serin is found.

Towers and fortresses

• Torre Vecchia (Rocca Vecchia): Wehrturm aus dem 12. Jahrhundert, erbaut unter der Herrschaft von Pisa.
• Torre Nuova: Turm aus der Zeit der Medici bzw. des Großherzogtums Toskana (17. Jahrhundert) oberhalb des Hafens.
• Torre Vecchia (Rocca Vecchia): A 12th-century fortified tower, built under the rule of Pisa.

Protected area on land and water

Gorgona is the most protected island in the archipelago: The island and almost the entire surrounding sea belong to the strictest protection zone of the national park. Boating, anchoring, and diving are not permitted freely around the island. The sea also lies within the Pelagos Sanctuary for whales and dolphins.

Gorgona and the other islands of the archipelago

Like Gorgona, Pianosa and Montecristo also have restricted access. However, you can visit Elba , Capraia , and Giglio freely.

Frequently asked questions about the island of Gorgona