Punta Fenaio lighthouse

Punta Fenaio lighthouse stands at the northernmost tip of Isola del Giglio, a Tuscan island close to Giglio Campese. It rises above the Gulf of Campese, where a rocky headland drops straight into the sea, opening onto views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Maremma coast on the mainland.

Where exactly is Punta Fenaio?

The lighthouse sits on a rocky point north of the village of Giglio Campese, at the narrowest and most exposed part of the island. It is one of the spots where Giglio faces the open sea most directly — wind and swell reach the headland with nothing to break them, which is exactly why a warning light was placed here in the first place.

The history behind the light

Punta Fenaio was built by the Regia Marina, the navy of the Kingdom of Italy, and came into service in 1883. Its purpose was to guide ships passing through the channel between Giglio and the mainland, as well as vessels heading toward nearby Elba, by marking the island's northern coast. The light has operated continuously for more than 140 years and is still active today, even though the building around it now serves a very different purpose.

What the lighthouse has become today

The structures surrounding the tower have been converted into a small, exclusive resort, with rooms and suites, a restaurant, and breakfasts built around local Tuscan produce. It is an unusual case of a working lighthouse that guests can actually stay in — waking up inside a building that has been guiding ships safely along this coast for well over a century.

How do you get there, and can you visit?

The lighthouse sits in a remote spot at the end of a narrow track through the northern part of the island, and it now operates as a private property. Access is by jeep transfer arranged by the resort for overnight guests or restaurant diners — it is not a place you can simply walk or drive up to on your own. Travelers not staying at the resort can still admire it from the water, since boat trips around Giglio's northern coast are a common way to see the island's shoreline, including the lighthouse itself. The tower and its grounds, however, are not open to casual visitors on foot.

What to know before planning a visit

If Giglio Campese is on the itinerary, the most realistic way to see the lighthouse is from a distance — from the sea or from higher vantage points along the bay. The setting is deliberately isolated: bare rock, open water, and the kind of quiet typical of the island's farthest edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Punta Fenaio lighthouse without a reservation? No. The area around the lighthouse belongs to a private resort, and access is only by transfer arranged for guests. Without a booking for a stay or a restaurant table, you cannot freely reach the site.

When was the lighthouse built? It was completed in 1883, commissioned by the Regia Marina to light the northern coast of Isola del Giglio.

Is the lighthouse still an active navigational light? Yes. Despite the surrounding buildings being turned into a resort, the light itself remains an active aid to navigation for ships in the area.

What's the best way to see it without staying at the resort? The easiest option is viewing it from the sea — a boat trip around the northern side of Giglio typically passes close enough to see the lighthouse against the rocks of Punta Fenaio.