Bookings open to visit Gorgona, Tuscany’s prison island

Visitors will once again be able to access the island of Gorgona, the smallest and northernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago and the last remaining prison island still in operation in Italy.

The Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano, in collaboration with the Italian prison administration, has scheduled guided excursions for 2026 starting on Saturday 11 April. Online bookings will open at 9 a.m. on Monday 23 February through the park’s official website.

A protected island with a working prison

Gorgona lies about 35 kilometres (22 miles) off the coast of Livorno and is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, a protected marine and terrestrial area that includes islands such as Elba and Capraia.

The island hosts an active prison colony that operates an experimental rehabilitation programme. Selected inmates take part in agricultural, farming and environmental projects aimed at supporting reintegration into society. For security reasons, access is strictly regulated and limited to specific dates each year.

For 2026, 30 excursion dates are available. All departures will be from the port of Livorno, with a maximum of 100 visitors per day.

How to book

Reservations must be made online starting from 23 February 2026. After checking availability, visitors are required to complete their booking at least 14 days before the chosen date. This allows organisers to submit participants’ names to the prison authorities for mandatory security checks.

Before departure, participants will receive a form by email requesting personal details, which will be forwarded to the Italian prison police.

On the day of the visit, visitors must arrive at the boarding pier at least 30 minutes before departure and present a valid identity document.

Rules during the visit

Due to the presence of the prison facility, strict rules apply.

Visitors are not allowed to move independently around the island and must follow the authorised trekking route with a guide. The use of cameras and mobile phones is prohibited. Swimming may be permitted, but only at the discretion of the prison authorities.

Participants are required to wear trekking shoes with a sturdy sole. Those without appropriate clothing or footwear may be excluded from the visit.

What the excursion includes

The guided visit lasts between three and four hours and covers approximately eight kilometres (about five miles).

The route starts from the Belvedere terrace and continues to the Torre Nuova, a Medici-era tower located in the upper part of the small settlement. The walk then reaches Punta Paratella, where participants can view Cala Maestra, before continuing to the island’s historic cemetery and the Rocca Vecchia, its oldest fortification dating back to the Pisan period.

The island is also home to a Roman seaside villa dating from the late 1st century BC to the early 1st century AD, as well as a rich variety of bird species that nest in the protected environment.

Tickets and contacts

The cost is €55 for adults and €45 for children aged 5 to 12. Admission is free for children up to 4 years old. The price includes round-trip boat transport from Livorno, entrance to the protected area and the guided tour.

For further information, visitors can contact Info Park, which manages the organisation of the excursions, at +39 0565 90823 or via email at For further information, visitors can contact Info Park, which manages the organisation of the excursions, at +39 0565 90823 or via email at info@parcoarcipelago.info.

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