Between Livorno and Piombino there are some of the most beautiful beaches of our Tuscany, all collected in the strip of land called Costa degli Etruschi.
The name of this stretch derives from the presence of settlements and archaeological evidence dating back to the Etruscan era, which inhabited this area from the ninth century.
The Etruscan Coast is the ideal destination for a holiday where you can combine sea, nature and history: here are the archaeological and natural areas of the Parks of the Val di Cornia, which includes the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia,small beaches characterized by rocks or long sandy beaches, and the wild nature of the Maremma (without forgetting the wines and traditional gastronomic specialties of this area).
The Romito
South of Livorno,along the coast road called Romito, there are spectacular rocks overlooking the sea: this somewhat wild oasis winds up to Quercianella; famous is also the beach of Calignaia. You can rest lying on a rock, take baths in crystal clear water in the midst of real doc labronici.
Castiglioncello
Castiglioncello, a well-known holiday destination in the 60s of the Italian jet set, with clear references to La Dolce Vita felliniana, is a small town surrounded by pine trees.
The best place for a swim is the Baia del Quercetano: really lovely with shallow waters of green-blue color. The free beach is a piece of land, but on the other hand there are several bathing establishments with bars and restaurants, where you can take advantage of excellent seafood cuisine.
The Gulf of Baratti
Baratti is the perfect combination of unspoiled nature of the Maremma, clean sea and history:it is located in the homonymous gulf and a few kilometers from the ancient Etruscan city of Populonia. The beach is free and is surrounded by pine forests and meadows; thanks to the presence of iron in the sand,the color of the latter is an evocative black.
From the Gulf of Baratti, when the sky is clear, you can see both the island of Elba and Corsica.
Marina di Castagneto Carducci
Marina di Castagneto is a seaside resort with various equipped beaches and a long free beach. Behind the beach there is a wide pine forest that offers refreshment during the hottest hours of the summer months.
Not far from the coast there is also the medieval village of Castagneto Carducci, whose popularity is linked to the poet Giosuè Carducci who lived in this country as a child: why not pay a visit to his house museum?
S. Vincenzo
If you're looking for long beaches of fine, clear sand,St. Vincent is the destination for you. Ideal for a family holiday, it has a beach equipped with all the comforts: it is easy to want to stop, also to have the opportunity to taste various fish specialties in one of the many restaurants on the sea.
The beaches of Piombino and Follonica
Piombino and Follonica have 30 kilometers of beaches of different types:fine sand, pebbles and rocks, small bays and coves that really satisfy everyone.
Among the beaches not to be missed we recommend Cala Moresca, Torre Mozza, Cala Violina, la Sterpaia and Perelli.
With more than 90 km of coastline and beaches, the Etruscan Coast meets everyone's maritime tastes: what is your favorite beach?
Image sources: tuscany people, il romito, golfo baratti
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