The Best Beaches in Tuscany that you don't know about

About
Cala di Forno is a hidden gem in Maremma Natural Park. This cove-shaped, golden sand paradise stretches for just over 280m, making it one of the smaller beaches on this list. With calm, crystal-clear water, this beach is perfect for swimming and other water activities such as paddle boarding and kayaking. It is also fantastic if you are looking to immerse yourself in nature and get off the beaten track. 

Access and services 
This beach is remote which makes it very quiet, but you do need to bring your own provisions such as sunscreen, water, food, and an umbrella as there are no amenities nearby. 
The best way to reach the beach is by the sea, as the only land access is along a 16.4km hike; the trail is closed for some parts of the year due to nature protection initiatives. You can hire a boat from Marina di Grosseto, Principina a Mare, or Talamone, a one-way trip takes 2.5hrs with hire costs varying from €140-400 per day for smaller boats. Book online if you plan on travelling in peak season (June to August) so that you don’t miss out. 
Due to the lack of amenities and the limited access, this beach isn’t recommended for smaller children. 

About
Collelungo beach is a gorgeous 6.1km expanse of soft sand along the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. This beach is not only a peaceful spot to sunbathe and relax, but also offers a beautiful walk alongside the evergreen hills of Uccellina. Like Cala di Forno, this beach is perfect if you are looking for a place tucked away in nature. 

Access and services 
The best way to access Collelungo Beach is by parking at the Parco della Maremma visitor centre in Alberese. The 6km A2 walking route is the easiest trail to the beach, it is relatively flat with plenty of shade and it should take 1hr 30mins for a one-way trip. Additionally, you could park at the Marina di Alberese beach car park and take the A10 coastal path.  
There are no amenities close to this beach so you should bring your own provisions. Trails aren’t suitable for prams so this beach may not be appropriate for very young children. 

About
This paradisical enclave is located on the Monte Argentario peninsula, in the South-West of the Grosseto province. With clear turquoise water, a smooth pebble shoreline, and a stony seabed, this quiet cove is the perfect place for snorkelling as there is an abundance of aquatic life. Cala del Gesso is fairly secluded, which gives creates a peaceful ambience for its visitors. 

 
Access and services
This beach is fairly remote, which means that it is quiet, but that does mean that you should bring provisions such as water, sunscreen, umbrellas, food, and importantly, some sturdy footwear. Can be suitable for young children, consider boat hire to avoid steep stairs.
To access Cala del Gesso from the land, take the ‘Via Panoramica’ SP65 road from Porto Santo Stefano on the north side of the peninsula, or from Porto Ercole on the south side. Car parking is limited as there is no official car park for Cala del Gesso, so you will need to park along the roadside of ‘Via Panoramica’ SP65 around Cala Moresca. Walk down ‘Via Pionieri’ and you will reach a steep flight of stairs that lead down to the beach. 
In addition, you can also rent a boat from Porto Ercole, with a starting price of €200 for day hire. This way, you also get to admire the beautiful Argentario coastline. This method is recommended for elderly people and young children to avoid the steep stairs. As Cala del Gesso is small, we recommend arriving early to find parking, and a space on the beach. 

Osa Beach

About
This beautiful beach offers incredible views of Talamone and Argentario headlands on either side. A 5km stretch of golden sand and clear water which strikes a perfect balance between immersion in nature, and having essential amenities. For this reason, this beach is one of the more popular on this list. The beach is bordered by pine trees which can offer some respite from the sun. 


Access and services
Osa beach is easy to access, there is parking next to the beach just off the ‘Via Aurelia’ between Fonteblanda and Albinia, parking tickets cost €3 – coins only. This beach is supervised by a lifeguard, and has essential amenities available for hire: umbrellas, sunbeds, showers, toilets, cafes, and changing rooms. 
Due to the ease of access and gentle sloping beachfront, this beach is suitable for young children. This beach is one of the more popular on this list so ensure you arrive early to get a space.

About
Baratti Beach is a 2km-long bay steeped in Etruscan history; it resides next to the archaeological site of the ancient city of Populonia. It’s beautiful red sand and surrounding pine forests are what give this beach its unique charm. 

Access and services
Easy to access with a car, follow directions to Piombino and then follow signs to the Golfo di Baratti where there will be paid parking areas along the road – make sure you arrive early in the day to get a space. Parking is on the pricier side with tickets costing around €2.40 per hour or €20 for full-day parking. 
This beach is suitable for children, just bear in mind that it is a very popular beach because of the close-by archaeological site of Populonia so it can become crowded in high season (June – August). 

Buca delle Fate

About
Nestled within the rocky cliffs of the Etruscan coast is a small pebbly cove called Buca delle Fate. With its gentle waves and clear blue sea, this secluded spot is not only perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkelling, but also offers a beautiful view of Elba Island. 

Access and services
It only takes 20 minutes to reach Buca delle Fate from the Il Reciso (free parking and at the entrance to the path down to the beach). There are other paid parking sites closer to Populonia. The ascent can be quite tough due to its steepness; we recommend wearing proper footwear. 
While the beach itself is suitable for children, there are some steep cliff drop offs close to the path which parents should be mindful of. This beach is typically less busy, but we would still recommend arriving early to get free parking at Il Reciso. 
Bring your own provisions: water, umbrellas, proper footwear, food to this quiet cove as there are no amenities nearby. 

About
Riva del Marchese has a unique country club feel to it because of its lush grass lawn that sits behind the sandy shoreline. The beach is a beautiful yet small 150m stretch of sand with some rocks at the waterfront. Located only a four-minute drive from Porto Ercole, this resort-style beach is one of Tuscany’s perfect sunbathing spots. 

Access and services
Situated very close to Porto Ercole, there is paid street parking available along the ‘Via Panoramica’ with a very accessible short walk down to the beach. To guarantee a parking spot close to the beach make sure to arrive early. 
A spot on the lawn during high season (June – August) can reach €28, and spots on the beach can reach €18 at high season. A spot includes two sunbeds, umbrellas, use of the showers, and a coffee. 
Canoes and paddle boats can be rented out to explore out towards Porto Ercole Island. This beach is also supervised by a lifeguard. With marine life and caves, this beach is perfect for relaxers and explorers alike. 
There are some basic amenities nearby such as a restaurant that serves daily pasta dishes. We would still recommend bringing your own food and water.  

Cala San Quirico

About
Cala San Quirico is a hidden gem situated just 1.5km from Populonia. The shoreline for this 200m long cove is formed of pebbles and rocks, and is nestled amongst a beautiful natural landscape of mountains, cliffs, vegetation, and the clear blue water of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The cove’s disconnection from tourist areas makes it extremely peaceful even in the high season (June – August). As well as relaxing, swimming, and snorkelling, Cala San Quirico is perfect for birdwatchers and hikers as there are some beautiful scenic trails nearby. 

Access and services
This beach’s shoreline is pebbly and rocky so you should wear appropriate footwear, furthermore it may be slippery and quite challenging to traverse. There are no facilities or services nearby so make sure to bring water, umbrellas, and food with you. 
Like many of the beaches on this list, there is no dedicated parking; park on the street near the beach entrance on ‘Via di San Quirico’.  
We would also recommend bringing something comfortable to lie on, the pebbles might be uncomfortable even with a towel.  
The walk down to the beach is steep, so keep in mind that this might not be suitable for young children or elderly visitors. 

About
Cala Violina is a gorgeous beach with emerald waters and white sand, found in the Scarlino nature reserve. Enclosed between two headlands, this beach is truly isolated in nature and is one of the most tranquil coastal spots in the whole of Tuscany. 
As the beach is situated in a nature reserve, there are plenty of breathtaking walks and even trails for mountain biking.

Access and services
Access to the beach is limited to 700 people per day, which really helps to maintain its peaceful aura. You can book and see more information on Cala Violina’s official site: https://www.calaviolinascarlino.it/en/cala-violina-en/how-to-book.html
You can reserve parking at Val Martina for €10, where there is an easy 25-minute walk to the beach. Alternatively, there are other parking areas such as Pian d’Alma and Puntone di Scarlino that will have longer walks to the beach. There are also boat taxis available from Scarlino which could be a good option for younger children and elderly visitors.
There are no amenities available at this beach, other than a small shop next to the beach where you can buy bottled water (the shop is only here at high season, June – August). There is also a shaded area with picnic tables. 

Cala Martina

About
Like some of the other beaches on this list, Cala Martina is a peaceful paradise wrapped in nature, and away from the main tourist sites. Situated amongst oak forests and the rock cliffs of the Maremma coastline, Cala Martina is a charismatic 600m beach with crystal-clear sea. The clear and calm water paired with a rocky seabed teeming with aquatic life means that it is perfect for relaxing swims as well as snorkelling. With low cliffs and lush greenery, it is a paradise for those seeking silence and pristine natural landscapes. 

Access and services
To reach Cala Martina, you can park along the ‘Via Lungomare Garibaldi’ near the Port of Scarlino. There is a walk along ‘Via delle Costiere’ which takes 45mins to reach the beach. In addition, there are sea taxis from the Port of La Marina di Scarlino (near Puntone). 
There are no amenities on this beach, so you need to bring water, umbrellas, food, towels, and appropriate footwear. 

About
Cala Civette strikes a perfect blend of accessibility and feeling like you are in the middle of nature. Golden sand and crystal-clear water stretch for 400m, with a beautiful view of the Civette Tower from the promontory. The beach is an ideal haven for nature lovers, as well as being a great place to snorkel and swim. Even in the height of summer Cala Civette is a great place to come to get away from the crowds. 

Access and services
A free and shaded car park is located on Strada Vicinale di Torre Civette. From here, you only need to walk 100m across the mouth of the Alma River (safe crossing point) to get to the beach. 
There are natural windbreaks along this beach created by the vegetation so there is plenty of shelter.
There are no amenities on this beach, so bring your own provisions such as water, umbrellas, food, and towels. 

Pianetti Beach -Marina di Donoratico

About
The beach at Pianetti is located just south of Marina di Castagneto, where a gorgeous 4.1km stretch of golden sand runs alongside the picturesque Ligurian Sea coast. Like other beaches in this article, Pianetti is extremely accessible whilst maintaining a tranquil isolated feeling. Shallow clear-blue sea makes this beach perfect for families with young children who want to swim. 

Access and services 
This beach is very easy to get to as there is ample free parking at Marina di Castagneto. From here, walk south to move away from the crowds and towards Pianetti. 
Amenities are located towards Marina di Castagneto such as showers, cafes, changing rooms, and toilets. 
You can hire beach chairs and umbrellas for the day and there is a lifeguard supervising the beach. Beach chair and umbrella hire, and lifeguard supervision will be restricted to specific areas of the beach.