Florence travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Florence, Tuscany, Italy.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Florence.
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- Glamorous, fashionable, Italian Riviera
- Private beach clubs (stabilimenti)
- Watersports
- Restaurants
- Beach volleyball
- Parking
Forte dei Marmi
Tuscany's most fashionable and exclusive beach resort, with a long white sand beach lined with elegant stabilimenti (private beach clubs) and backed by the Apuan Alps. A favourite of the Italian fashion and design world (Milanese elite, Florentine aristocracy), Forte dei Marmi is Tuscany's answer to Saint-Tropez, combining impeccable beaches with the boutique shopping of Via Spinetti and some of Italy's finest summer nightlife at La Capannina. The beach is almost entirely private clubs (renting a sunlounger and umbrella for €15-40/day) with a small public section. The Versilia pine-forested promenade is beautiful for early morning and evening cycling.
Editor’s tip. Reserve a sunlounger at a stabilimento the evening before in high season — top clubs like Bagno Piero and Bagno Florida fill by 8am in July and August.
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- Family-friendly, relaxed, natural coastal scenery
- Public and private beaches
- Pine forest camping
- Watersports
- Seafood restaurants
- Cycling paths
Castiglione della Pescaia
One of Italy's most beautiful coastal resorts, combining a perfectly preserved medieval hilltop village (the Castello) with kilometres of golden sand beaches backed by coastal pine forests. Castiglione is a favourite with Italian families for its calm, shallow waters and the pine-shaded camping and resort areas of Punta Ala and Duna Feniglia. The Maremma Regional Park nearby adds hiking and nature visits to the beach experience. Less fashionable than Forte dei Marmi, it offers a more relaxed, authentic Italian family beach holiday.
Editor’s tip. Drive or cycle south from the main beach to reach the Duna Feniglia natural spit — no motor vehicles are permitted on the spit, making it quieter and more natural.
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- Island escape, natural and beautiful, family-friendly with excellent water clarity
- Sandy beach
- Crystal-clear water
- Snorkelling
- Watersports
- Beachside bars
- Restaurants
Marina di Campo (Elba Island)
Elba Island's most popular beach, a broad crescent of golden sand at the southern end of this mountainous island off the Tuscan coast. Napoleon's island of exile (1814-15) is now one of Italy's finest island escapes: excellent beaches, pine forests, granite mountains, and some of the clearest water on the Italian coast. Marina di Campo's wide sandy beach has calm, incredibly transparent water ideal for snorkelling over the rocky reefs at its edges. The whole island rewards exploration by car, motorbike, or bicycle.
Editor’s tip. Book Moby Lines or Toremar ferry tickets from Piombino to Portoferraio at least two months ahead for July and August weekends — they sell out reliably.
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- Relaxed, family-friendly, good value compared to Versilia
- Long sandy beach
- Pine forest promenade
- Beach clubs
- Public sections
- Seafood restaurants
- Watersports
San Vincenzo
A pleasant coastal town on the Etruscan Coast (Costa degli Etruschi) with a long sandy beach backed by pine forests and a popular promenade. San Vincenzo is less glitzy than Forte dei Marmi and more accessible for budget travellers, with a good mix of private beach clubs and free public sections. The beach runs for several kilometres north and south of the town, with the Parco Rimigliano nature reserve to the north offering wild, undeveloped dunes and natural beach areas accessible only on foot.
Editor’s tip. Cycle or walk north from the main beach into the Parco Rimigliano natural reserve for an undeveloped dune beach free of beach clubs — bring water and sun protection.
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- Exclusive, private, Italian upper-class beach retreat
- Exclusive beach clubs
- Sailing marina
- Pine forest
- Luxury resort hotels
- Tennis
- Golf
Punta Ala
Tuscany's most exclusive private beach resort, a gated peninsula of pine forest, marina, luxury villas, and hotel complexes on the Maremma coast. Punta Ala has a polished, private atmosphere: the beaches are managed by exclusive stabilimenti, the marina hosts impressive yachts, and the whole peninsula has a discreet, affluent Florentine holiday character. Less discovered than Forte dei Marmi by international tourists, it remains a genuine retreat for wealthy Italian families. The nearby Maremma Regional Park and Castiglione della Pescaia add nature and medieval history to the experience.
Editor’s tip. Accommodation at Punta Ala books out by February for peak July and August weeks; reserve hotels or villa rentals as early as possible.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Florence memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming season runs June to September; July-August is peak season and the water (24-27°C) is warmest.
Transport
A car is the most practical way to reach most Tuscan beaches from Florence. Regional trains reach Viareggio, Livorno, and the Etruscan coast. Elba requires a ferry from Piombino.
Cost
Private beach clubs (stabilimenti) charge €15-40/day for a sunlounger and umbrella. Public sections (spiaggia libera) are free but more basic. Parking at popular beaches can cost €5-15/day in peak season.
Booking
Popular Versilia stabilimenti should be reserved days or weeks ahead in July-August. The same applies to Elba ferries.
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.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Florence’s coast.
Is parking available at Forte dei Marmi?
Pay car parks and side-street parking are available in the town and pine forest area. In July and August spaces fill by mid-morning; arriving before 9am or using peripheral car parks and cycling to the beach is strongly recommended.
From the Forte dei Marmi editorial.
Are there free public beach sections at Forte dei Marmi?
Yes, a small spiaggia libera (free public beach) sits near the pier. The vast majority of the beach is divided between private stabilimenti where sunloungers and umbrellas are rented for approximately €15–40 per day depending on the club and position.
From the Forte dei Marmi editorial.
How far is Castiglione della Pescaia from Florence?
Approximately 160 km by car, typically 1h50–2h10 via the SS1 Aurelia road through the Maremma. There is no practical direct train connection; a car is strongly recommended for visiting this area.
From the Castiglione della Pescaia editorial.
Is there a free beach at Castiglione della Pescaia?
Yes. Alongside the private stabilimenti there are spiaggia libera sections accessible without payment. The Duna Feniglia spit to the south is largely free and accessible by foot or bicycle through the pine forest.
From the Castiglione della Pescaia editorial.
How do visitors reach Marina di Campo from Florence?
Drive approximately 2 hours south to Piombino, then take a Moby Lines or Toremar ferry (approximately 1 hour) to Portoferraio on Elba. Marina di Campo is a further 20-minute drive across the island, making the total journey approximately 3.5–4 hours.
From the Marina di Campo (Elba Island) editorial.
Is advance ferry booking necessary for Elba?
Yes. Ferry tickets should be booked well in advance for summer travel, particularly for July and August weekends. Both Moby Lines and Toremar operate online booking; crossings with car transport are typically 50–70 minutes.
From the Marina di Campo (Elba Island) editorial.
Is San Vincenzo reachable from Florence without a car?
Yes. Trenitalia operates connections from Florence Santa Maria Novella to San Vincenzo, typically with a change at Cecina or Campiglia Marittima, in approximately 1h40. The beach is a short flat walk from the station.
From the San Vincenzo editorial.
What is the Parco Rimigliano?
The Parco Naturale di Rimigliano is a protected coastal reserve immediately north of San Vincenzo, containing several kilometres of wild dune beach backed by pine forest. No vehicles are permitted inside the reserve; it is accessed on foot or by bicycle along a marked coastal path.
From the San Vincenzo editorial.