On the Maremma Coast, you can walk from Castiglione della Pescaia’s harbour to a sandy town beach, follow a forest path to Cala Violina or cycle across the Ombrone plain to the dunes at Marina di Alberese. Farther south, the Orbetello lagoon sits between long sand spits and the rocky promontory of Monte Argentario. Each stretch makes for a different kind of seaside holiday.
Castiglione della Pescaia is the best all-round base for a first visit, with beaches, restaurants and a hilltop old town within walking distance of the harbour. Stay farther south if Feniglia and the Argentario ports are the main draw. The choice matters most when you want to swim every day. A room near a pretty harbour may still mean a drive or bus ride to the beach you want.
Quick Planning Answer
Where it is. This guide follows the mainland coast of southern Tuscany from Follonica and the Gulf of Scarlino to Orbetello and Monte Argentario.
How long to stay. Allow three full days for a first trip with one beach day, one park visit and one day around Argentario. A single day works well when you choose one stretch of coast.
Do you need a car? A car makes it easier to combine coves, park entrances and harbour towns. Follonica works well for a beach break by train, and buses connect Grosseto to Castiglione della Pescaia and Orbetello to the Argentario ports.
What to arrange first. Check Cala Violina’s beach and parking bookings separately during the reservation season. For Marina di Alberese, check the park’s latest access notice and seasonal shuttle timetable before setting out.
Which Maremma Beaches Suit Your Trip?
Castiglione della Pescaia for a beach day on foot
The Bruna river and harbour channel divide Castiglione’s two main town beaches. Spiaggia di Ponente stretches towards Punta Ala and is the most straightforward choice from the centre, with sandy shallows, public stretches, beach clubs and places to eat nearby. Across the channel, Spiaggia di Levante extends towards Marina di Grosseto. Check which side your accommodation is on if the daily walk to the beach matters.
Behind the harbour, the streets climb into the medieval old town. The uphill walk is worth saving for later in the day if you have spent the afternoon on the sand. For a change of scene close to town, head east to the Diaccia Botrona wetlands, where the red Casa Rossa Ximenes stands beside the old drainage channels.
Cala Violina for a cove reached through the woods
Cala Violina is a small sandy bay on the wooded Scarlino coast. The shortest usual approach is about 1.8 km each way from the Val Martina car park. That distance matters when carrying a parasol, a cooler or everything a small child needs for the day.
During the reservation season, beach entry and a space at Val Martina are two separate bookings. See Cala Violina’s official access and reservation rules for both. Visitors arriving on foot or by bike still need a beach reservation when the system is in force. The approach from Puntone is substantially longer. For a shorter outing with children and beach gear, the town beach at Castiglione is the easier choice. For more ideas on travelling with children, see our guide to family beach holidays in Tuscany.
Feniglia or Giannella for a long sandy beach near Argentario
Choose Feniglia for a swim combined with a walk or cycle through a pine forest. The sandy spit runs between the Argentario side near Porto Ercole and Ansedonia. A route of about 6 km runs through the nature reserve, with paths leading out to the sea. Enter from the end that fits the rest of your day. From Porto Ercole, use the Argentario end. From Ansedonia, use the eastern end. A short walk to a beach access path is enough if swimming is the priority.
Giannella is the northern sand spit and a practical choice when you want to stay near the sand or spend the rest of the day around Porto Santo Stefano. When comparing accommodation, check which side of the spit the property faces and where the nearest route to the sea is. A lagoon view and direct beach access are two different things here.
Monte Argentario for rocky coves and harbour towns
Monte Argentario’s outer coast has small bays such as Cala del Gesso, where pebbles and submerged rocks make for a different swim from the long sandy beaches beside the lagoon. Check the approach to the particular cove before setting out. The distance from the road can look short on a map while the descent and the climb back still take effort.
Porto Ercole is a good stop for a harbour walk below the Spanish fortifications. Porto Santo Stefano has a busier working waterfront and the ferry port for Giglio. Both are rewarding stops in their own right, so a day on the peninsula can be as simple as one swim and an unhurried afternoon in one harbour.
How to Visit the Maremma Regional Park
Marina di Alberese for dunes and a beach day
Alberese is the inland village with the park visitor centre. Marina di Alberese is the beach, reached separately via the Strada del Mare. Before driving, check whether the road and beach car park are open and whether parking is available. If you plan to cycle or take the seasonal shuttle, confirm the route or timetable for your visit. Under the park’s Perazzeta bridge closure notice, cyclists follow a diversion along the embankment to Vaccareccia, and walking routes A1–A4 temporarily start at Pratini instead of Pinottolai.
The beach south of the Ombrone river mouth is backed by dunes, with seasonal toilets and refreshments near the main access. From there, you can walk along the shore towards Collelungo, where the beach extends below a coastal watchtower. Bring water if you plan to walk beyond the main access and allow time to get back to your bike, shuttle or car.
Collelungo and Cala di Forno for a longer outing
The park’s A2 Le Torri itinerary offers a route to Collelungo as part of a proper walk through the reserve. The A4 Cala di Forno itinerary reaches a more remote bay and needs more planning. In summer, the park runs guided visits to Cala di Forno on selected dates, with advance booking. Check the park’s instructions for your chosen route, including the departure point, ticket and any seasonal restrictions.
For an outing focused on the coast, the cycle path to Marina di Alberese and a short walk towards Collelungo make a simpler combination. Save Cala di Forno for a day when the walk itself is the main reason for going.
Where to Stay on the Maremma Coast
Castiglione della Pescaia for beaches and evenings on foot
Stay in the lower town near the harbour or Ponente if you want to walk to the beach, stop back at your room and go out for dinner without moving the car. The upper old town suits a stay centred on the historic streets and views, with an uphill walk home from the waterfront. Compare the actual route to the beach when choosing between the two.
Follonica for a beach break by train
Follonica has a railway station in town, sandy beaches and a choice of public stretches and beach clubs. A property between the station and the seafront makes both arrival and daily beach trips manageable on foot. It is a sensible base when beach time comes first and excursions are optional. From Follonica, you can also explore the beaches and towns along the Etruscan Coast.
Alberese and the surrounding countryside for the park
A village stay puts you close to the visitor centre and the cycle route to the sea. A rural agriturismo gives you more space and easier access by car, but check the drive to Alberese before booking. Accommodation described as being near the park may be convenient for a different entrance from the one you need.
Orbetello or Porto Ercole for southern Maremma
Choose central Orbetello for meals on foot and outings to both sides of the lagoon. The historic centre is on a spit inside the lagoon, so plan a separate journey to a sea beach. For harbour evenings and outings to the southern end of Argentario, stay in Porto Ercole. If the trip revolves around swimming, compare those town stays with accommodation near a beach entrance on Feniglia or Giannella.
Getting There and Around
Follonica, Grosseto and Orbetello-Monte Argentario are the main railway stops to consider. Use Grosseto for the Autolinee Toscane connection to Castiglione della Pescaia. For Argentario, check the onward bus from Orbetello-Monte Argentario and pay attention to the stop names. The railway station, Orbetello’s historic centre and the two ports are separate destinations. Check the last return before committing to dinner in a harbour town.
With a car, use the Aurelia corridor to move between the northern resorts, the park and the lagoon. Set your navigation to the actual beach entrance, car park or trailhead. Searching for Alberese can take you to the village when you want the beach, and searching for Monte Argentario gives you a whole peninsula to choose from.
Three Days on the Coast
Day 1. Spend the morning on Ponente beach, then walk around Castiglione della Pescaia’s harbour and up into the old town. If you have a Cala Violina booking, make the cove your beach outing and come to Castiglione later for the harbour and dinner.
Day 2. Give the Maremma Regional Park its own day. Check the park’s access notice, then use the available cycling route or seasonal shuttle to reach Marina di Alberese and walk part of the coast towards Collelungo. If you would rather hike, choose a signed park itinerary and build the day around its starting point.
Day 3. Enter Feniglia from the Argentario side, spend part of the day on the sand or cycling through the pines, then continue to Porto Ercole for a harbour walk. An evening in Orbetello fits naturally on the way back towards the mainland.
Best Time to Visit
July and August suit a trip built around swimming and beach services. They also make reservations and parking more important at Cala Violina and Marina di Alberese. For a summer stay with several beach days, accommodation within walking distance of the sand makes a practical difference.
Late spring and early autumn work well for combining towns, cycling and walks with time by the sea. Swimming conditions vary, and some beach services and shuttles run seasonally. For a park-focused trip, choose the routes you want to walk before settling on your dates, since summer access arrangements differ by itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take a ferry to Giglio from the Maremma Coast?
Yes. Ferries to Giglio depart from Porto Santo Stefano. For a day trip, choose your return sailing before booking the outward leg and allow time to get between the ferry terminal and your parking or bus stop.
Is there an archaeological site near Feniglia?
Yes. The ancient Roman town of Cosa sits above the Ansedonia end of Feniglia. Its surviving walls, forum remains and archaeological museum make it a good pairing with a shorter beach visit on that side of the lagoon.
What does spiaggia libera mean on beach signs?
It marks a public stretch of beach where you can use your own towel or parasol. A stabilimento balneare is a managed beach club, typically with paid loungers and umbrellas. Castiglione della Pescaia has both, so you can choose according to how much equipment you want to carry.
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