Largely untouched Italian island with red sand beaches and hidden coves
THE Italian island of Giglio is home to wide sandy beaches and hidden coves, and it remains largely untouched by hordes of holidaymakers.
Set in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Giglio is just one of the seven major islands that form part of the Tuscan Archipelago.
The string of seven islands, which include the more commonly known Elba, were said to have been formed by the scattered pearls of the goddess Venus’s necklace.
Covering just nine square miles, Giglio is home to just 1,100 residents.
While this number swells somewhat in the summer months, the Italian island remains largely untouched by British holidaymakers.
Home to the island’s ferry port, Giglio Porto is the main town on the island.
The harbour is backed by a string colourful houses where the majority of the island’s residents live.
From Giglio Porto, day-trippers can rent a small motorboat, which means they can explore hidden coves that aren’t reachable from land.
There are also several scuba dive centres located in Giglio Potro where scuba divers can hire equipment and book onto underwater tours, to explore shipwrecks, sea caves and coral walls in the waters surrounding Giglio Porto.
Other towns on the island include Giglio Castello and Giglio Campese.
Located on the top of a hill, Giglio Castello is an ancient medieval village that’s home to formidable city walls and winding cobblestone streets.
Meanwhile, Giglio Campese is home to Giglio Campese Beach, the largest beach on the island.
The dark red sand is the most tourist-focused spot on the island, with visitors able to rent out sunloungers and parasols.
Other beaches on the island include Cannelle Beach, which has fine white sand and crystal-clear waters and Caldane Beach, one of the smallest beaches on the island.
Visitors can reach Giglio on a direct ferry service from Porto Santo Stefano on the Tuscan mainland.
Ferry journeys take roughly one hour with tickets starting from £11 per person.
And there are plenty of other secluded spots in Italy only locals seem to know about, including Ponza.
Ponza
Ponza is part of the Pontine archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, and it is home to beaches that rival Capri — but for a fraction of the price.
One of the more rustic Italian islands, with its untouched natural landscapes, hidden coves and sea caves.
To get there, you can hop on a train from Rome’s main station, Termini, to the port city of Anzio. The journey takes just over an hour and costs around £5.
Three other little-known islands to visit in Italy
THERE are plenty of little-known islands dotted around the Italian coast, many of which are unknown to Brit holidaymakers.
Pantelleria
Situated between Sicily and Tunisia, Pantelleria is often referred to as the “Black Pearl of the Mediterranean” because of its volcanic origins.
Isola di San Pietro
Just off the southwestern coast of Sardinia, Isola di San Pietro is part of the Sulcis Archipelago. The island is known for its picturesque harbour town, Carloforte. Visitors can enjoy beautiful beaches and a vibrant local culture.
Isola di Capraia
Located in the Tuscan Archipelago, Capraia is a small, rugged island known for its wild beauty and unspoilt nature. It’s the third-largest island in the archipelago but remains relatively untouched by mass tourism.
Meanwhile, here are the 100 best beaches in the world to visit in 2024 – and four from the UK have made the cut.
And one tiny UK town has been compared to a stunning Italian island.