Campese: the longest beach on the Isle of Giglio, watched over by a 16th-century tower

On the north-western coast of the Isle of Giglio, the bay of Campese holds the island's longest beach, closed to the north by the 16th-century Torre del Campese, built around the mid-1500s for Cosimo I de' Medici as a defence against Saracen pirate raids, and at the other end by a striking sea stack.

The water here changes colour through the day, shifting from turquoise tones to a deeper blue as the seabed slopes away, and it's considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Tuscan archipelago — helped by sunsets that drop straight into the open sea from here.

Unlike Giglio Porto, where ferries from Porto Santo Stefano dock and the bustle is constant especially at the height of summer, Campese stays a quieter corner, drawing more people staying on the island than day visitors. The area does still offer some tourist facilities — restaurants, places to stay, shops — so it's not an isolated or comfort-free stretch of coast.

Getting there

Campese is reached by car, scooter or local bus from both Giglio Porto and Giglio Castello, along the island's inland roads toward the western coast.