The beaches of the Maremma
The uncontaminated nature characterizing La Maremma will stay with you side by side up to the sea. The unregimented beaches or hidden coves, but also the entry points easily accessible by car, are always surrounded by green Mediterranean scrub or by the huge pine-trees offering fragrance and shade. The coast-line gives to lovers of the sea a vast choice of opportunities: from beaches equipped with every comfort to rocky coves reachable only on foot or, why not, by hiring a comfortable rubber motor dinghy. Here is a list of several of them: Along the Scarlino coastline, with Cala Violina The pathway to Scarlino’s coves (8km passable only on foot, on horseback or by bike) starts out from Portiglioni, after the Marina di Scarlino tourist port. Here the green of the Mediterranean thicket and the iridescent blue of the sea will keep you company: from here, on a clear day, your gaze will roam as far as the Island of Elba and sometimes behind it to the mountains of Corsica. The first access to the sea, after a roughly 2 km pathway, is to Cala Le Donne (with pebbles and no facilities). Continuing along the coast you will come to the monument in honour of Giuseppe Garibaldi, who embarked here on a fishing boat to escape the papal guards: opposite the monument a narrow lane leads down to Cala Martina, this too with pebbles and without services, but whose sea-beds offer deep and exciting enjoyment to keen snorkelers. Another 2 km walk will take you to the more famous Cala Violina, which owes its name to its “singing” sand, a feature possessed by very few beaches worldwide. (Babadejuka, Eigg Islands, Fort Dauphin, Gold Coast): with Mediterranean scrub reaching down to the beach and its crystalline waters Cala Violina it celebrated as one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. During high season this reputation causes such an influx of visitors that it is impossible to enjoy its beauty and, even less, to hear the sound of violins whispered by the grains of sand when disturbed by passers-by. If you are here in the most overcrowded periods I suggest you reach it very early in the morning or, if otherwise, late in the afternoon. The last 2 kms along the coastline will take you to Cala Civette which, like Cala Violina boasts white sand and transparent sea-beds. The, mouth of the river Alma separates the last of Scarlino’s southern beaches from the Punta Ala seashore. A more convenient access from Portiglioni is from the toll-pay parking area on the State Road 158 “delle Collacchie”. From this point a roughly 20 minute walk through green Mediterranean vegetation will lead you first of all to Cala Violina. Memo : Access from Portiglioni does not offer many nearby parking possibilities; all the beaches are free; during the summer there is a temporary refreshment facility at Cala Violina. To the North, in the Gulf of Follonica Beyond the town of Follonica is the Parco Costiero della Sterpaia, a long seashore both with free beaches and well-equipped beaches, parking areas (toll-pay) and refreshment stalls. There are several access points : Torre Mozza, Carbonifera, Mortelliccio and Perelli. Facing you is the Island of Elba and at your back, the pine-forest in case you need a little shade. Beyond the Gulf, towards the Costa degli Etruschi (Coast of the Etruscans) Populonia, a very ancient Etruscan city overlooks the Gulf of Baratti with sandy beaches and pine copses. Here the sea-bed is a treasure-trove of flora and fauna. Dive down and unexpected colours will appear, like the red of the Etruscan iron artefacts. From the road climbing towards Populonia, from the “Reciso” the 301 pathway (3.5 kms) begins, arriving at the Buca delle Fate (Fairy Hollow), a paradise for lovers of the unbridled sea. The path first crosses the Mediterranean scrub, then a holm-oak wood (where you will come across a few Etruscan tombs) and at last opens up through aromatic bushes onto the strangely shaped reefs sculpted by the sea. Once past the pebbles you will be able find a rock to make yourself at home. Memo: There is a parking area both for the Baratti beach and for Buca delle Fate. You are inside the Baratti and Populonia Archeological Park and behind the beach there is an important Etruscan tomb site. While you are there, take a walk as far as Populonia Southward Punta Ala beach From the mouth of the river Alma up to the town centre of Punta Ala, there is a long sandy shore with stretches of free beach and others with bathing establishments. Like most of the beaches in the area it is separated from the road by an extensive pine forest. The Sparviero islet is easily accessible by boat. Le Rocchette and the Roccamare pine forest Before the Castiglione della Pescaia pine forest, there is a road leading to the Rocchette beach and, on the overlooking promontory, a fort dating back to the Xll century. The rocky reef is a paradise for keen snorkelers, with its inlets and coves only accessible by sea; on the wide beach with its crystal-clear waters there are bathing concessions and entries to the nearby camping areas. A few kms stroll towards Castiglione will take you to a less crowded area, at Roccamare. Useful info: In Scarlino, Follonica, Punta Ala you can hire a rubber motor dinghy, also without a license, for the morning, afternoon or the whole day. In very-high-season periods, in some areas parking is difficult: consider the option of cycling to the beach. In the renting centres you will also find bikes with assisted pedalling. For Kite surfing enthusiasts I recommend the Puntone di Scarlino and Fiumara beaches (to the south towards Grosseto) Argentario and its shores There is no Maremma without the promontory of Monte Argentario: a sublime mountain overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, with plenty of inlets and hidden coves. Argentario would almost have the shape of an island, had it not been for two narrow stretches of land that connect it to the mainland. These two zones are amongst the most popular and renown beaches of this area, and they are called Giannella and Dune della Feniglia. Even man played a role in unifying Argentario to the upcountry, building an artificial road that cuts the lagoon of Orbetello into two. Amongst the most famous beaches along the coast of Argentario the following are recommended: The beach of Acqua Dolce is a sandy and pebbled half-crescent stretching along the eastern side of Monte Argentario. What makes this inlet special are the colour nuances of the seawater, that go from cobalt blue to emerald green. This beach is the ideal place for those who love diving off a cliff and swimming in deep waters. The best time of the day to visit it is early in the morning, as during the day it tends to be crowded. Le Cannelle takes its name off the medieval tower that dominates this beach. This inlet is part of the protected area of the park of Maremma. Public, uncontaminated and covered in pebbles, going to le Cannelle equals plunging into sheer, unspoilt nature, a dreamlike place where one can sunbathe on the rocks and enjoy long swims in open water. Cala del Gesso is one of the hidden marvels of Argentario, as well as one of the hardest to reach in the area. The beach is at the bottom of a trail which descends to sea level (130m below), approximately 800m long. The luckier ones will be able to reach it by sea, diving and swimming into the cobalt-blue waters that wash its shore. Cala Grande is a beach located on the western slope of Monte Argentario and it is accessible both on foot and by sea. The path to reach this true oasis of Maremma is rather insidious, it takes approximately 25 minute to reach the beach going through shrubland, but the fatigue gets immediately rewarded by the sheer beauty of this place.
Offers
Giglio Island
The island of Giglio is a slice of paradise in the middle of the sea which in spite of its location at a mere 20 km from the coast of Argentario looks like a totally different world.
Elba Island
At merely 10 km from the coast, surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea, there is the marvellous island of Elba, which together with Pianosa, Capraia, Gorgona, Montecristo, Giglio and Giannutri forms the national park of the Tuscan Archipelago.
Cala Martina
Cala Martina is an expanse of sand and pebbles surrounded by the promontories of Punta Francese and Punta Martina, from which it takes its name.
Cala Violina
Located between the cities of Follonica and Punta Ala within the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve is the most beautiful beach in the Tuscan Maremma, the famous Cala Violina.
Follonica’s Beaches
The bay named after the town of Follonica features a sandy coast and a gradually sloping seabed.
The beaches of the Maremma
The uncontaminated nature characterizing La Maremma will stay with you side by side up to the sea.
La Costa degli Etruschi
Costa degli Etruschi is one of the most characteristic and peculiar areas of Tuscan Maremma.
Castiglione della Pescaia
The capital of summer tourism in Maremma is the beautiful Castiglione delle Pescaia, considered one of the classier town of the whole region for its lively bars and its beautiful shores.
Massa Marittima
When thinking of art and culture in Maremma the beautiful Massa Marittima comes to mind.
The beaches of Scarlino
Along the Scarlino coastline, with Cala Violina The pathway to Scarlino’s coves (8km passable only on foot, on horseback or by bike) starts out from Portiglioni, after the Marina di Scarlino tourist port.
DISCOVER MAREMMA Beaches of Castiglione della Pescaia
The main beach of Castiglione della Pescaia is easily accessible from downtown on foot, as it spans right in correspondence with its historical centre
Maremma Park
The Natural Park of Maremma is undoubtedly one of the most impressive attractions for those who wish to indulge in a holiday devoted to nature and wellness.
Natural Parks
Maremma is the land of natural parks par excellence, and whether you are nature enthusiasts or not, you will be awestruck by the boundless green expanse that are the gentle hills of this land
Artist’s Garden
Not only natural marvels: among the hills of Maremma there are places that were conceived following the creativity of great national and international artists
Forest Bathing
Eco-sustainability and a green location are at the core of a new kind of tourism, in a constant pursuit of well-being for both body and mind, linked to the natural environment
Design Wineries
Spending time in Maremma is the perfect chance to discover the great wines that are produced here, only recently become famous but of undisputed high quality now
Spa & Welness
This little slice of paradise features amongst wellness enthusiasts’ favourites, which comes as no surprise since it was long considered as a realm of relax by the great ancient civilizations
Museums and Underground world
Talking about Maremma also and somehow especially means talking about history. This colourful land has a glorious and yet ill-fated past, a history composed of glory and grandeur, but also of tragedy and epidemics, death and destruction
Hikes and walks
If you are passionate about nature and want to fully enjoy it while exploring on foot, Maremma is the right place for you
The sea in Maremma
The uncontaminated nature characterizing La Maremma will stay with you side by side up to the sea
Minicrociere in Maremma
The beauty of the coasts of Maremma is not only to be enjoyed from the shore, amongst the more popular activities when the weather is good is the so-called Minicruise.