Think Maremma you think Summer. It’s got the relaxing views, the perfect beaches, the fresh seafood and all the scents and flavours of the Mediterranean. For anyone looking for the perfect spot to make the most of summer, the coast of Maremma in southern Tuscany should be right at the top of your list.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the top coastal towns in the Maremma, and discover all the sights and wonders of this beautiful region.
=> A quick tip for planning your tour: if you can, avoid the month of august, which is very busy and inevitably more expensive. Maremma’s coastal towns are best enjoyed out of the main tourist Summer season (end of May – beginning of July, and September).
CHECK OUT THIS FABULOUS BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO WINE TASTING TOUR !
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Top 6 Coastal towns in the Maremma, southern Tuscany
1. Follonica
A favourite with Italian families that descend here every August, Follonica is a typical sea resort with long beaches and clear water. It’s set on the beautiful Gulf of Follonica in southern Tuscany. Here you’ll find plenty of entertainment, safe water, shops, bars and restaurants. And, of course, lovely beaches! Top-favourite Cala Violina and Carbonifera are popular for good reasons, get there early if you want to secure a spot => Here’s the Cala Violina beach official site for booking your spot.
While the town itself is anything but beautiful – with its modern high buildings – it offers everything for a lively holidays. As a plus, the surrounding area has many opportunities for beautiful excursions. It’s the biggest, and cheaper than the other resorts in the Maremma.
Recommended for: families, great beaches.
Tip: visit the Medieval hilltop town of Massa Marittima, 20 km. inland.
2. Castiglione della Pescaia
Our absolute favourite of the Maremma coastal towns is charming Castiglione della Pescaia. A fishing port, picturesque to a fault, whose historic centre is dominated by an ancient Castle. It’s famous for its fine sand beaches and lovely location. The modern part of town offers plenty of shops and restaurants.
Recommended for: families, couples, great beaches, water sports.
Tip: Nearby there’re great opportunities for biking or walking. A vast pine grove and the wetland wonderland of Diaccia Botrona, a Nature Reserve also perfect for birdwatching.
=> Visit Punta Ala, a small luxury resort popular with the elite.
=> Discover 8 Good Reasons to visit the Maremma!
3 & 4. Porto Santo Stefano & Porto Ercole
If you keep driving south, you’ll find Mount Argentario, a little peninsula covered in pine trees. The peninsula is connected with the mainland by three spits of land which form two lagoons. Porto Santo Stefano is the biggest town and a busy port, located on the northern side. Perfect for an evening stroll, and a fish dinner at one of the outdoor tables, admiring the super-yachts moored at the port.
Porto Ercole, a small and pretty fishing port, is the other town on the Mount Argentario. The small historic centre takes ten minutes to visit, but it’s the atmosphere that will keep you here, and the colours, and the scent of the sea.
The Mount Argentario has mainly rocks. For a swim, head to one of the beaches, at Tombolo della Feniglia and Giannella.
Recommended for: nature lovers, walking, clear waters.
Tip: The Strada Panoramica (panoramic road) starts in Porto Santo Stefano, offering splendid views of the coast.
=> Best scenic drives in Tuscany
5. Orbetello
Set right in the middle of the Orbetello Lagoon – the one that divides Mount Argentario from the mainland – this small town that dates back to the Etruscan, has a charming atmosphere. What do we love about Orbetello? The location, the colour of the stone, the lovely Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the squares which are just perfect for relaxing aperitivo. You can spend a few hours admiring the views of the lagoon, the ancient walls, and exploring the boutique shops. A great spot to spend an evening.
Tip => Part of the lagoon is a WWF Nature Reserve.
Nearby: visit the ruins of the Monastery of Sant’Angelo.
6. Talamone
A fishing village with an ancient past, Talamone is dominated by what remains of its grey stone fortress that overlooks the sea. Once a menacing defensive structure, it now adds to the charm of the scenery. The harbour is a lovely place for a stroll. It’s situated on the southern border of the Uccellina Nature Reserve, and its bay is popular for water sports such as windsurfing or kite surfing. Its sandy beaches, clear water and pine groves make this a little Mediterranean heaven.
Top sight => Visit the lovely walled town of Capalbio in the interior.
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=> Check out the Best tours of Tuscany from Florence!
