Tuscany (Toscana) is one of Italy's most celebrated regions, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes of rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, and vineyards, as well as its extraordinary concentration of Renaissance art and medieval architecture. Home to Florence, Siena, and Pisa, Tuscany gave the world Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and the foundations of the Italian language.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Tuscany.
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Versilia Riviera (Northern Coast)
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Livorno and Pisan Coast
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Maremma Coast (Southern Tuscany)
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Tuscan Archipelago (Islands)
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Forte dei Marmi
Italy's most exclusive beach destination, with impeccably maintained private lidos (beach clubs) attended by Florence's wealthy families, Italian celebrities, and European jet-setters. The wide sandy beach stretches for kilometers backed by pine trees with the Apuan Alps rising behind. The Thursday market in town is exceptional.
Editor’s tip. Book beach club spots weeks ahead in July-August
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Viareggio Beach
A long, wide, sandy beach backed by the elegant Art Nouveau seafront promenade of Viareggio. The town is famous for its spectacular Carnival in February and has a lively summer atmosphere with beach clubs, restaurants, and a good public beach section.
Editor’s tip. The free public beach is called Spiaggia Libera - find it at the southern end
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Marina di Pietrasanta
A pleasant seaside resort adjacent to the artistic town of Pietrasanta, famous for its marble sculpture tradition. The beach has a good mix of private lidos and public sections, with a relaxed summer atmosphere and good restaurants.
Best for. ['Combining beach with art (Pietrasanta galleries)', 'Families', 'Less crowded than Forte dei Marmi']
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Castiglione della Pescaia
One of Tuscany's most beautiful beach resorts, combining a stunning medieval hilltop village with excellent beaches at the foot of the promontory. The water here is cleaner than the northern coast, backed by fragrant Mediterranean macchia. The old village at the top of the hill is delightful.
Editor’s tip. Stay in the medieval hilltop village for a unique experience
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Talamone Beach
A small, charming beach at the foot of the medieval fortress village of Talamone, at the southern boundary of the Maremma Regional Park. Crystal-clear water, a small harbor, and a remote atmosphere. Access to the Maremma park beaches (unspoiled, no facilities) nearby.
Best for. ['Unspoiled natural beach', 'Snorkeling', 'Combining with Maremma park visit']
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Fetovaia Beach, Elba
Widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches on Elba and in Tuscany, Fetovaia is a small sandy cove surrounded by dramatic granite headlands and crystal-clear turquoise water. Very popular so arrive early in summer.
Editor’s tip. Arrive by 9AM in July-August to get a spot
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Cavoli Beach, Elba
One of Elba's finest sandy beaches with exceptionally clear water, beach clubs, and a summer beach bar scene. Popular with younger Italian visitors for its lively atmosphere and good facilities.
Best for. ['Sandy beach swimming', 'Young crowd and beach bar scene', 'Snorkeling']
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Sansone Beach, Elba
A stunning white pebble beach near Elba's capital with exceptionally clear water that becomes a vivid turquoise-green in shallow areas. A beach club provides services, and the setting amid dramatic granite cliffs is extraordinary.
Best for. ['Snorkeling', 'Photography', 'Crystal-clear water swimming']
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Giglio Campese, Giglio Island
The largest and most accessible beach on Giglio Island, a protected marine area with some of the clearest water in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The island is reached by 1-hour ferry from Porto Santo Stefano and has a remote, unspoiled character.
Best for. ['Diving and snorkeling', 'Unspoiled island escape', 'Clean water swimming']
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.