Diving into the bluest water: The most beautiful beaches of the Tuscan Maremma
Summer is approaching and we all want to go to the beach. The Tuscan Maremmais the perfect place to take a dip in the bluest, cleanest, and most crystalline sea. We take you to explore the most beautiful beaches of our coast. Come join us!!
Before starting our exploration, it’s important to note that the majority of our beaches are awarded the Blue Flag. The International Blue Flag program certifies, through various criteria, the environmental quality of the beaches. The main objective of the Blue Flag Program is to promote the sustainable management of the territory in the coastal municipalities through a series of indications that place attention and a duty of care for the environment at the forefront of political choices. It is an established program and currently recognized throughout the world, both by tourists and tour operators, as a valid eco-label in relation to sustainable tourism in seaside and lake resort areas.
The FEE “Foundation for Environmental Education”, having managed the Blue Flag program since 2000, signed onto a global partnership protocol with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) known as the Memorandum of Understanding with the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations (UNWTO). This European Program has been extended to 49 countries around the globe.
To evaluate the coastal locations, the Blue Flag program has drawn up a quentionnaire for evaluation in order to bestow the aforementioned flag. During the course of the season, the destinations with the Blue Flag designation are periodically evaluated and checked by the operators of the FEE who guarantee compliance with the program criteria.
Castiglione della Pescaia
Rocchette
The Rocchette beach is located about6 km north of the townof Castiglione della Pescaia. Take the road that leads to Punta Ala and before the Pian di Rocca, there is a crossroads where you will turn left onto a road that leads directly to the Rocchette beach. At the end of the road there is a roundabout with parking spaces. Otherwise, starting in June, there is an electric shuttle that comfortably transports visitors from the town of Castiglione to the beach. Le Rocchette is a sheltered bay surrounded by the pine forest annd the cliffwhere the Forte delle Rocchette (once a watchtower, now the private residence of a Marquis) stands. The water here is always clear and fresh. From Rocchette, you can walk the shoreline to the Capezzolo promontory passing through the Riva del Sole.
On one side there are kilometers of beach all the way to Castiglione, while on the other side is a majestic cliff–a perfect backdrop to the crystalline sea. This area is ideal for children because of the shallow, gentle waterand is also ideal for water sports. By swimming or renting a pedal boat, you can reach a cove behind the cliff under the imposing white fortress of the Marquis. The cove is an uncontaminated place of rare beauty, where you can snorkel in crystal blue waters. The Rocchette beach is equipped with bathing establishments and restaurants on the beach.
Casetta Civinini
This is the famed beach of Punta Ala, 6 km long. Located 14 km from Castiglione della Pescaia, it can easily be reached by car following signs for Punta Ala. It is a very long beach that runs the entire length of the bay. To frame the beach on the right is the Civette Towerand on the left in the distance, the Hidalgo Tower, up to the Punta Ala Castle.
Before your eyes, the view sweeps across the Tuscan Archipelago, including Elba and other smaller islands. The beach of fine white sand and shallow waters is a great place for children and for those who like to take long and peaceful walks along the shore. From the beach, you can access a large pine forest to enjoy the cool shade. There are convenient parking spaces across the street.
You can find prestigious and bathing establishments with restaurants, but also smaller niche clubs for the more bohemian.
Grosseto
Parco dell’Uccellina Spiaggia di Alberese
It is the best known beach because it is the easiest to reach. From the entrance to the park, a long road runs along the hills of the park’s thick Mediterranean scrub and the plain where the breeds of Maremma cows and horses are raised. At the end of the road, you arrive at a sandy parking lot where the spectacular Alberese beach begins. From here, you can also reach an 8km cycling trail. In the summer, you will find a refreshment point, but the beach is famous for being one of the most pristine. In fact, to your left, in addition to finding numerous tree trunks left by storm surges and used by bathers to build shelters from the sun, you will also find nudists.
Cala di Forno
The most difficult beach to reach, it is immersed in the Parco dell’Uccellina between Alberese to the north and Talamone to the south. To get there, it takes 3 hours of walking through the Mediterranean scrub. Alternatively, it can be reached by boat from the Marina di Grosseto or Talamone.
The uniqueness of this beach is the very fine, light colored sand. It is a true oasis where nature still commands and where tourists come to enter with respect into a very particular ecosystem. Where it is not uncommon to encounter large numbers of animals like foxes, fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar, porcupines and the many species of birds, such as peregrine falcons. There are no refreshment points nor points of sale to buy water. In summer, the bay can be reached with the help of park guides.
Follonica
Cala Violina
It’s one of the most beautiful beaches of the Maremma, called Violina because the sand is so fine and soft that when you walk upon it, it emits the sound of bowing violins. It is located in the Bandite di Scarlino reserve. Located about 15 km from Castiglione della Pescaia heading towards Follonica. After the crossroads of Punta Ala, you will find the crossroads for Cala Violina on the left where a dirt road begins leading to a large parking lot (by payment in summertime). It is advisable in summer to arrive at the parking lot well in advance so as not to waste time in the queue. Sometimes the queue of cars waiting to park reaches all the way to the main road. From the parking lot, you start down a 2 km path in the Mediterranean scrub which, climbing some hills, takes you directly to the white beach of the crystalline water. The beach is not equipped, but in the summer you will find a kiosk that sells drinks and sandwiches.
Torre Mozza
It is a beach 2 km north of Follonica, inside a natural park and takes its name from the ancient pirate watchtower from the 1500s. The beach is serviced by bathing establishments and large parking lots close by. The beach is famous and much appreciated by families with children for the presence of natural pools and crystalline water formed by particular rock formations that emerge on the surface of the water.
Argentario
La Feniglia
It’s one of the two isthmuses with the Gianella beach that links the mainland to the Argentario promontory. An isthmus is a long strip of land that joins the mainland to a promontory. La Feniglia is a nature reserve consisting of a very long beach equipped with bathing establishments only at either end near Ansednoia and on the opposite side of Cala Galera. The beach is bordered by a large pine forest overlooking the Orbetello lagoon. The beach is unspoiled and is frequented by deer, many varieties of birds, and other animals. The sea is warm and clean. Transparent waters and a paradise of scents and colors will make your stay on the Feniglia beach an unforgettable experience. La Feniglia is about 70 km south of Castiglione della Pescaia. It is a great place to stop for a nice swim even after a trip to the Argentario.
Cala di Gesso
After Porto Santo Stefano, the cove is the perfect destination for those who love snorkeling and diving, always sheltered from the winds. With crystal clear waters set in an inlet of rocks and smooth pebbles, it is a very rich seabed to explore. Overlooking the beach is a watchtower of Spanish origin dating back to the fifteenth century across from the islet of Argentarola. Not so easy to arrive, 5 km after Porto Santo Stefano is the start of an asphalted path descending towards the sea. After 700 m, you’ll find a staircase that leads down to the cove. There are no bathing establishments or outlets, but wonderful sunsets to enjoy breathtaking views. Bring everything you need and wear comfortable shoes for the descent.
These are only the most beautiful beaches of the Maremma, but there are many others waiting to be visited!!
