Beaches and Sea

The beaches of Scarlino and the Parco delle Cave

On the eastern side, south of Follonica, the coast of Scarlino branches off, offering a coast with long sandy beaches, hidden coves and rocky and rocky coves, ideal for snorkelling. Between Follonica and Puntone the water is not very deep and at low tide sandbanks emerge from the sea and are also suitable for children to play. In this strip of land, a small stretch became the “turtle beach” in 2014 since in October 2013 a nesting of a protected sea turtle called “Caretta Caretta” was recorded here. It was the first time in history that this animal nested along the Tuscan coasts. From that moment the Municipality of Scarlino together with Legambiente decided to better protect the bay through continuous monitoring and the insertion of information panels for bathers.
Beyond the tourist port of Marina di Scarlino unfolds the jagged and wild coast of the Cale delle Bandite di Scarlino Park, one of the most popular destinations on this coast above all for its wild and uncontaminated appearance. These coves can be reached via Puntone or from Pian d’Alma, access is free, but the paid parking has a maximum capacity of 250 cars. There are no services of any kind in the coves.

Cala Martina

It is the first one you meet starting from the Portiglioni, the residential area of Puntone, just behind the tourist port of Marina di Scarlino. It is a small pebble beach with a wild appearance and protected by two promontories that surround it, Punta Francese to the north and Punta Martina to the south, this bay is a landscape and naturalistic jewel. Those who have visited it describe it as an oasis of peace and relaxation, in which man is a guest and the true and only hostess is mother nature. Cala Martina is the ideal place to go if you are a lover of aquatic flora and fauna. By immersing yourself in its waters you can admire dozens of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, algae and marine plants up close with the most disparate shapes and colors.
Cala Martina is known by the name of “Garibaldi beach” since this small strip of land was the scene of a historical event linked precisely to the figure of the hero of two worlds. In fact, Garibaldi sailed from here, helped by the Scarlinesi, to escape from the Papal troops during his enterprise to make Italy.

Cala Violina

The jewel among the hidden jewels of the Scarlino coast is the famous beach of Cala Violina, fully considered the most beautiful bay in the Maremma. This place is a small paradise a few kilometers from Punta a Ala, within the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve. The name Cala Violina derives from the sound that the sand makes when you walk on it, which is reminiscent of a violin. The key word here is freedom. Along this small stretch of Maremma coast, there are no bathing establishments and no other type of commercial activity, except for a small kiosk with drinks and sandwiches located along the path and open only during the summer months. In the scrub forest behind the cove there are some wooden tables and benches, ideal for enjoying a snack in the shade. For lovers of sport and walks behind the beach there are some marked paths that lead to other bays and hills from which you can enjoy breathtaking views.

Cala Civette

Cala Civette is the third most famous beach of the Bandite di Scarlino. A small natural paradise with crystal clear water and a breathtaking panorama that ranges from the promontory of Punta Ala to that of Piombino. If you manage to visit all the coves, you will notice how the perspective of the Island of Elba that faces them changes continuously and sometimes seems to get closer, sometimes to move away, making a panorama of the sea always different and with a thousand colours.

The beaches of Follonica

The beach that develops in front of the town of Follonica is made up of fine light-colored sand, with a seabed that slopes gently towards the open sea. This part of the coast is full of bathing establishments with equipped and modern bars and restaurants. Immediately outside the town, both towards the north and south, the coast offers a series of beaches, both equipped and free, of renowned beauty.

Mozza Tower

It is 3 km north of the center of Follonica and is a beautiful beach characterized by an ancient tower dating back to the 1500s which in the past had the function of reporting any Saracen incursions. The parking lots are located behind the beach. The environment is wild, made up of sand dunes and reed beds. About thirty meters from the shore, less than a meter below the surface of the water, you can see a stone pavement that runs parallel along the coast for hundreds of metres. Among the various hypotheses that try to give an explanation to this particular rock conformation, the most plausible is the one that identifies it as a sunken piece of the ancient Via Aurelia, today along this submerged cliff you can see octopuses, sea bream, sea bass, white bream and salema.

Carbonifera

It is a fabulous beach 5 km north of the center of Follonica, it takes its name from the nineteenth-century tower that still dominates the promontory and which in the past was a commercial port where the railway arrived which brought coal from the mines to be loaded on board. You can leave your car in a large equipped car park and walk no more than 100 meters to the beach. The bay is made up of light sand, shallow waters and a large initial stretch of pine forest. La Carbonifera is part of the coastal park of Sterpaia.

The beaches of Castiglione della Pescaia

Very fine sand and clear water await you on the coasts of Castiglione della Pescaia in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma. You can enjoy a different beach every day: in addition to the main bay, which can be reached on foot from the town, you can set out to discover the coast to identify much less frequented coves and beaches.
The main beach of Castiglione della Pescaia extends in front of the center of the town, being a very long strip of very fine sand, it is divided into two areas for convenience: the stretch that runs towards Punta Ala, known as the West bay, while the one that runs in the opposite direction it is defined as Levant.
The Ponente one is the more famous of the two, usually very popular because it is dotted with bathing establishments, bars and restaurants. The golden sand, the shallow water and the clear waters where there are no strong currents make it ideal for families with children.
While from the port of Castiglione della Pescaia towards Marina di Grosseto there is that of Levante which offers the advantage of being less known and therefore less frequented. The coast flows gently into the water and the sea is generally not rough, ideal for swimming in total safety and tranquillity.
Another important bay of Castiglione della Pescaia is located to the north in the direction of Punta Ala, le Rocchette is an inlet of golden sand, with a rocky bottom where a great variety of fish and molluscs hide, ideal for diving enthusiasts . The beach is totally immersed in Mediterranean scrub bushes, nothing better for a relaxing holiday disconnected from the rest of the world.

The beaches of the Argentario

You cannot say that you know Maremma if you do not visit the Argentario at least once, one of the most famous and envied maritime promontories in the region. Breathtaking beaches, unconquered fortresses, panoramic points and stupendous tourist villages are some of the marvels of this stretch of coast bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. A promontory of rare beauty surrounded by the sea and joined to the mainland by two strips of sand known as Giannella and Feniglia and by the artificial road that crosses the Orbetello lagoon. The Argentario is easily reachable by car, by train or by sea with a stopover at Porto Santo Stefano.

Giannella and Feniglia

These two beaches offer everything you need for a classic beach holiday. Both are wide and long and have a shallow and sandy bottom, which makes them particularly suitable for total relaxation.

Le cale

For those who have a less conventional and wilder idea of a beach holiday, the many coves that surround the Argentario promontory are the perfect place to go. Among the most beautiful and particular we suggest:
Cala Piccola, as the name suggests, is a small beach covered with pebbles, which offers one of the most exciting scenic stretches of the silver coast. A few meters from the shore is the coral reef, a shoal that rises to the surface of the water from a depth of 45 metres, offering one of the best diving spots in the whole of the Argentario.
Spiaggia la Cacciarella, on the other hand, is the first of the beaches on the promontory, far from inhabited centers and is ideal for those looking for a relaxing holiday away from city traffic. This beach is completely devoid of bathing establishments, its seabed is sandy, perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
Cala del Gesso is a beautiful wild beach is about 700 meters located in Porto Santo Stefano. This small corner of land enclosed by rocks is considered by many to be the most beautiful beach on the entire silver coast, seeing it is a privilege as it is very tiring to reach. A short distance from the shores of this bay you can admire the islet of Argentarola. The sea of Cala del Gesso is clean and clear and the remains of an ancient Spanish watchtower probably dating back to the 16th century are still clearly visible on the cliffs.

The Island of Elba

Elba is one of the many wonders of the Tuscan Archipelago, the largest of the islands that make it up and the third largest in Italy. Famous for its crystal clear sea and its white beaches, rich in history and natural beauty. One of the most famous seaside tourist destinations in the nation, thanks not only to its beauty but also to its fascinating personal history. Famous as a place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte, the history of the Island of Elba dates back to even more remote times to pre-Roman times with the settlements of the Ligurians and then the Etruscans.
On the island of Elba it is possible to carry out both cultural activities such as visits to its beautiful castles or in the towns located on the hills, but also sports such as hiking, mountain biking, swimming, scuba diving and beach activities.
In the town of Marina di Campo there is also a small airport, but the most common way to get to the island is the classic ferry with departure from Piombino and arrival in the capital Portoferraio, or in the city of Rio Marina or Porto Azzurro.

The Island of Giglio

Without a doubt, one of the most popular destinations in the Grosseto Maremma is the beautiful Isola del Giglio: a fascinating naturalistic paradise, with its clear and extremely clean water, its small hidden beaches surrounded by high rocky walls.
Every year, thousands of tourists embark from the Port of Santo Stefano for the island of Giglio, which awaits them with its imposing towers, colorful houses and typical medieval old town.
The island of Giglio is divided into three zones:
Giglio Porto is the first place you meet as a landing point for all boats. This is the liveliest and most colorful hamlet where you can stroll while admiring the shop windows or sip a glass of wine in one of the many bars with a terrace overlooking the sea. In this part of the island there is the museum of Mineralogy and Geology: an exhibition itinerary divided into three sectors that tells the story of the mining activities linked in particular to iron and granite.
Giglio Castello is the historic center and is located at the highest point of the island. Here stands the ancient fortress, the city walls and old watchtowers. In this hamlet, in the last week of September, the traditional grape and open cellar festival is held, which celebrates the Ansonico wine produced from native vines.
Giglio Campese the most touristic area of the whole area mainly composed of an equipped beach. The only campsite on the island is located in this hamlet.
The whole coast of the island of Giglio is full of coves and beaches of incomparable beauty, all different in size and appearance, a real “amusement park” for lovers of the sea at 360 degrees. The best known are: le Cannelle the second largest bay on the island, le Caldane a beach reachable only on foot or by boat and Arenella located north of the port of Giglio reachable by sea or by taxi.