Are there any good beaches in Tuscany?

Tuscany's coast is best understood by how you'll reach it. Without a car, you're limited to the train-friendly resorts of the Costa degli Etruschi. With a ferry ticket, you unlock the islands. With a car, the wild Maremma south of Grosseto opens up. Pick your access first, then your beach.

One general rule: the water gets clearer the further south you go. The Versilia (Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio) is famous for its long sandy beaches and chic stabilimenti, but the sea is murky from river outflow — skip it if clear water is your priority.

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🚆 By train — Costa degli Etruschi

Trenitalia's Etruschi Line runs 50+ regional trains a day from Pisa and Livorno down to Grosseto, stopping at every coastal town. Combined with the Elba Link ticket (train + ferry), you can reach the island car-free.

• Castiglioncello — the closest train-to-beach in Tuscany: ~200 m from station to water. Rocky coves, very clean sea, less sand than the resorts further south.
• San Vincenzo — long, sandy, family-friendly; train station in the centre, beach a few minutes' walk. The most resort-like of the train stops, in both senses.
• Follonica — fine white sand, shallow water, good base for car-free trips to Cala Violina via local bus (see below).
• Capalbio Scalo — small station, mostly wild beach a few minutes away. Quiet, almost no services. The clearest train-accessible water on this list.
• Orbetello — strung between two lagoon spits. From the station a flat, well-signed bike path leads directly onto the Feniglia (rentals at the station in summer).

The fastest from station to sand is Castiglioncello, but the cleanest train-accessible water is around Capalbio.

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⛴️ By ferry — the islands

Both island ferries leave from mainland ports reachable by train.

• Elba — the largest island, varied beaches in every direction. Ferries from Piombino with Moby, Toremar and Blu Navy to Portoferraio (the main port, ~1 h), Rio Marina (~45 min) or Cavo (the fastest at 30 min). Foot-passenger tickets from ~€13 each way; cars from ~€43. Vehicle decks fill fast in July/August — book ahead.
• Isola del Giglio — quieter, wilder, smaller. Ferries from Porto Santo Stefano on Monte Argentario, operated by Toremar and Maregiglio, ~1 h. The standout is Cala delle Cannelle — turquoise, white sand, reachable from Giglio Porto on foot or by local bus.

If Elba feels long, take the Toremar foot-passenger run to Cavo — half an hour from Piombino, drop straight onto a town beach. Good for a day trip.

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🚗 By car — the wild Maremma

The Tuscan coast at its best, but mostly inaccessible without driving.

• Cala Violina (Scarlino) — fine white sand, crystal water, in a nature reserve. Booking is now mandatory from 1 June to 30 September: max 700 people per day, €1 per person at calaviolinascarlino.it, slots open 72 h ahead. Park at Val Martina (€10/day, also bookable online) and walk 1.5–2 km through pine forest. No dogs in summer, no services, no bins — bring water and take everything out.
• Cala del Gesso (Monte Argentario) — the prettiest Argentario cove. Pebbly, deep clear water, perfect for snorkelling. 15-minute walk down a steep path from the road; no services.
• La Feniglia and La Giannella — twin 7–8 km sand spits connecting Argentario to the mainland. Feniglia faces south and is mostly free, backed by a WWF pine reserve with wild deer. Giannella faces north, with more stabilimenti and water sports. Pick by wind: Feniglia is calm with maestrale (NW), Giannella is calm with scirocco (SE) — locals choose accordingly each morning.
• Marina di Alberese (Parco della Maremma) — the only beach inside the national park. Drive to the parking lot at Alberese, then a free shuttle or an 8 km bike path takes you in. Untouched, often near-empty even in August.
• Buca delle Fate (near Populonia) — small, free, dramatic. Park at Il Reciso (free) and walk ~30 min along an Etruscan-necropolis path. Pebbly entry — bring water shoes.
• Baratti (next to Populonia) — dark, glittery sand from ancient Etruscan iron furnaces; behind the beach, an actual archaeological park.

Skip the Spiagge Bianche di Rosignano despite their Caribbean photos. The white sand and turquoise water come from sodium-carbonate discharge from the nearby Solvay plant. Photogenic, not a swim.

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Practical bits

• Stabilimento vs. spiaggia libera: most Tuscan beaches mix the two. A stabilimento charges ~€20–60 per day for two loungers and an umbrella with bar/showers/lifeguard. A spiaggia libera is free but you bring your own everything — water, shade, food.
• June and September give you the same water with half the crowds and lower prices. August is busy and expensive everywhere.
• Wind direction matters more than the forecast. A choppy day on one side of the Argentario is glassy on the other. Check the wind, not just the temperature.
• Don't leave anything visible in the car at unguarded park-and-walk lots. Smash-and-grabs happen.

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Want help finding your perfect beach in Tuscany? Ask me here, and I'll help you choose the best one based on your route, style, and season!