The Best Beaches in Tuscany

Enjoy our guide to the top ten best beaches in Tuscany – discover the path less trodden in Tuscany. 

Surprisingly, the beaches in Tuscany are some of the best in Italy. When you think of spending a holiday in Tuscany, most people think about the iconic cities of Florence or Siena. Or, perhaps relaxing over a wine tasting or exploring the idyllic rural scenery of the Chianti hills. Visitors rarely think of the superb array of beaches perfect to enjoy during a holiday in Tuscany. And yet, Tuscany’s western borders are flanked by the wonderfully warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea and its beaches are some of the finest in Europe. 

An impressive 20 of these beaches in Tuscany have been awarded the much sought after Blue Flag status. Many also offer some superb opportunities for water sports including windsurfing, kayaking and water-skiing.

Beaches in Tuscany vary tremendously dependent on how far north or south you go. In the north of the region along the Versilia coastline, are the high end beach resorts of Forte dei Marmi, Marina di Carrara and Camaiore. These are extremely popular with the wealthy Florentines who flock there during the peak Summer months. Mostly to escape the bustling crowds and the oppressive heat in the city. This is very much the stretch of coast to be seen on! However, further south beaches become wilder. Meanwhile, on Elba island you will find some of the most pristine paradise-like beaches in Europe. 

1. Forte Dei Marmi

An upmarket seaside town in the province of Lucca, Fortei Dei Marmi is home to some iconic beaches in Tuscany. It is extremely popular with wealthy Italians, who flock to the cool of the coast in the Summer months. Perhaps not surprising given its popularity with the Italian middle classes, it’s home to a Polo Club. In October, a polo tournament is held here – Figli del Vento Polo Cup. The event has exclusive claim on being the only polo event anywhere in Europe to take place on the beach.

However, most visitors come to Fortei Dei Marmi to relax on its long stretches of sandy beaches. These are very family friendly, particularly as the sea only gets very gradually deeper. Therefore it’s relatively safe for little ones. The beaches are also watched over by lifeguards for added peace of mind. The shore is lined with prettily painted beach huts and is immaculately clean. As a result, it has been awarded Blue Flag status for more than 20 years in a row.

As is typical of Italian beaches, most of the coast is dedicated to ‘beach clubs’ offering hire of sunbeds and parasols along with plenty of refreshment – usually served at your lounger. In Forte Dei Marmi, some of these are very upmarket and also come with a very upmarket price tag! If you don’t fancy this experience, then there are still some free – spiagge libere – areas where you can bring your own blanket, picnic and parasol.

You’ll also find a pier along this stretch of coastline. Here you can soak up the wonderful views out to sea and back again towards the shore. The original pier (pontile) was constructed in 1876 and was historically used to load marble onto the boats. However,  it was sadly destroyed in WWII. As a result, what you see today is a post-war construction but still a wonderful place to take a stroll and enjoy the magnificent vista. 

Looking foe somewhere to stay in Forte Dei Marmi? Discover Cassina Rossa for a magnificent beach holiday in Tuscany. 

2. Feniglia – Porte Ercole

This is one of the most spectacular beaches in Tuscany. Occupying the full 7km which joins the mainland to the Argentario promontory – if you love sandy beaches then this is heaven! In essence this is a ‘wild’ beach which breaks the mould of the typical organised Italian spiaggia. Here, visitors are treated to the most spectacular expanse of sandy beach which meets the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean sea. Backing-on to a beautiful pine forest and there’s even a paved path which makes it perfect to explore by bike. 

At either end of this rather unusual beach in Tuscany, there are a couple of bars and some more informal establishments offering hire of sunbeds. However, most of the beach is free and if you walk towards its middle you are very likely to feel like you’ve found your own private piece of paradise. 

Looking for somewhere to stay in the area? Discover stunning Villa Benedetta for you next holiday in Tuscany.

3. Spiaggia Fiascherino – Tellaro

Technically, we are breaking our own rules by including this is our guide to the best beaches in Tuscany. Because, strictly speaking, Tellaro falls in Liguria – but only just. In fact, the border between these two stunning regions of Italy is almost impossible to follow as its darts around mountains and picturesque hilltop villages. However, we have justified including Spiaggia Fiacherino because we always visit this area whilst on holiday in Tuscany. And it’s just too good to leave out!

The village of Tellaro and its more famous neighbour of Lerici form part of the bay of poets. This is a stunning coastal corner characterised by a succession of sandy coves punctuated with stunning rock formations and magnificent ancient pine trees. The beaches here are small crescents of sand and typically have fully serviced loungers and bars and restaurants serving delicious fresh locally sourced seafood. However, there is always a small area which remains available as a ‘free’ area. 

We have chosen Spiaggia Fiascherino as it is our favourite of these beaches and because this is a two for one beach! Imaginatively named Spiaggia Fiascherino 1 and Spiaggia Fiascherino 2 these beaches represent everything which is so iconically wonderful about the Italian Riviera. And, they offer some seriously insagramable vistas. The very best way to experience them is by boat, where you can hop between the two beaches. However, we have also experienced them entirely on dry land and still recommend the trip. We think the contrast of of the amazing azure-blue of the sea against the green pines is part of the magic.

Parking in the village is tight so we advise arriving early or in the late afternoon. The walk down to the beaches is quite steep so probably not ideal for those with mobility issues. The perfect solution is to visit away from the busiest months of the season. It’s even more perfect in June and September. 

4. Viareggio

Just south along the coast from Forte Dei Marmi, Viareggio is a bustling seaside town with several organised beaches along its wide sandy coastline. Renowned for being a family-friendly resort the beaches here are largely gently-shelving and perfect for young families. Like many of Italy’s beaches, the area most central to the town is a collection of organised paid beach clubs. Typically there are plenty of loungers along with some great bars and restaurants for refreshment. Probably the most popular is Bagno Maurizio – where the service is excellent and we can almost guarantee that you will have a very relaxing day. There are also some beach games, watersports and activities for children in this area. 

If you follow the beach southwards, you’ll reach Spiaggia della Lecciona. This is a free beach which has a ore ‘wild’ or ‘natural’ feel to it. The water in this direction can be slightly less calm so it popular with older children and teenagers who enjoy playing in the waves. In this area, you will need to bring your own blankets and parasols but you are still close enough to the main town to be able to grab snack s and gelato to keep you refreshed throughout the day. 

Boats are big business in Viareggio – with sailing being a very popular pastime. As a result, there are plenty of places to hire boats with and without a skipper. This can be a fun way to explore this part of Italy’s coastline. The area is also very easy to access of you’re staying in a villa or apartment near Lucca or even Florence. 

Looing for somewhere to stay? Discover our full collection of villas and apartments in Tuscany here.

5. Golfo Barrati

Spiaggia di Baratti is a wonderful wide sandy beach which is almost all ‘free’ so there’s plenty of space for everyone. The water here is crystal clear and the sunsets are truly magical. At the northern side, there are some sunbeds to rent but these do not dominate like on many other Italian beaches.  This is one of our favourite beaches in Tuscany simply for the relaxed vibe. Its has proved particularly poplar with our teenagers over the years. This is especially so in the early evening, when there’s often a there’s a DJ giving the place an Ibiza-style feel. Like everywhere in Italy, it is busier in August but tends to feel less crowed than some of the more well-known resorts along the Tuscan coast.

We actually first came across Golfo Baratti on our way to Elba island, while journeying south from the Italian Lakes. At the time, travelling with small children, it was the perfect spot for them to run and cool off in the sea after a somewhat epic drive in the August heat. We remember feeling like we’d found the ‘Cornwall of Italy’. But of course with almost guaranteed sunshine and significantly better ice cream! We have since visited while enjoying villa holidays in Tuscany and it never disappoints. 

6. Sorgente & Sansone – Elba Island

To choose Elba’s best beaches is almost impossible. Every inch of Elba’s coastline is pristine and there are some really special beaches. Probably our favourite is Spaiaggia della Sorgente, which is the neighbour of the more popular Spiaggia di Sansone. They are so close together that you can easily experience these two idyllic coves in one visit. Both are made of almost polished white pebbles mixed with some sand and require a short walk down the cliff path. These two beaches are so close that you can swim between them (as we did) and stop to admire the magnificent rock formations that divide them. 

While you make your way to the beach, you will catch glimpses of the crystal-clear water as it makes debut-appearances through the ancient pines, creating the perfect backdrop for a holiday photo. The colour of the water at Sorgente is quite mesmerising and the snorkelling is some of the best we’ve done in Europe. Actually, you don’t even need a snorkel. The water is so clear that you can see right to the sea bed for many metres from the shore.

We prefer Sorgente to Sansone (but only marginally!) because it is an entirely ‘free beach’, meaning there aren’t any arranged sunbeds. However, if you don’t fancy carrying your parasol, Sansone is a very good second choice. Here you’ll find sunbeds and parasols to rent, along with a great beach bar for refreshments. It’s also possible to rent kayaks which is a wonderful way to explore all the neighbouring coves. 

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7. Spiaggia Di Lacona – Elba Island 

If you prefer a sandy beach, Elba has plenty of options – especially on its southern coast. Most of these are typically small coves, which can become quite crowded in July and August. For this reason we do think a trip to Elba is best enjoyed in June or September. However, our next choice in our guide to the best beaches in Tuscany is a very good option if you happen to be on the island during high season. 

Unlike most of Elba’s beaches, Spiaggia Lacona is huge! Along the 1200 meters of golden sand, there are several serviced beach clubs, water sports and various activities for children on offer. There are also plenty of ‘free beach’ spaces for you to spread out on and play some beach games. The South-facing shores are shallow and perfect for families. Interestingly, Spiaggia di Laconais the only beach in the Tuscan Archipelago where dunes have survived – along with the sea lily and its iconic white flower.

What’s more, in summer 2023 Elba saw a record number of sea turtles being born. 89 baby turtles hatched from the nests on Spiaggia di Lacona. Conservationists do their best to mark their nests with sticks so please take care when walking close to the dunes. If you happen to be visiting during hatching season, you may even so some daring baby turtles making their first dash to the sea. 

Looking for somewhere to stay on Elba Island? Check out Villa Elba – a stunning beach house perfect for a multi-generation family holiday. 

8. Cala Violina Scarlino

Back on the mainland, this beach is Tuscany is perhaps best suited to the more active traveller. To reach Cala Violina Scarlino you must park up and then walk about 1.5km through a beautiful pine forest to the beach. In short, this is a seriously worthwhile walk. You’ll soon see glimpses of the azure Mediterranean water, peeking though the tall pines and what come next is a real treat.

Calla Violina Scarlino is a stunning natural cove with a perfect crescent of golden sand. To say it’s pristine and unspoiled don’t really do it justice. Perhaps heaven or paradise are better descriptions! What we especially like about this beach in Tuscany, is that from June – September they they limit the number of visitors each day. While this may seem a little bureaucratic for a holiday – its this kind of for-thinking that has kept it so special. 

It’s easy to book your spot online at www.calaviolinascarlino. What’s more the website also provides more detailed information about how to get to the beach and the surrounding area. It costs 10 euros o park for the day and during the high season there is a small bar which sells drinks, snacks and ice cream. 

9. Castiglione della Pescaia

Just north of the Maremma national park, this is a stunning medieval town perched on the shores of the Mediterranean. The beach itself stretches the full length of the town’s borders and beyond along the coast in both directions. There are organised beaches and plenty of ‘free’ areas in which to enjoy a beach day at Castiglione della Pescaia. However, what we like the most about this beach in Tuscany is its proximity to the centre of a beautiful medieval town rich in history and full of charm. 

The most central organised beach is Bagno Capezzòlo. Here beach-goers can relax on loungers and enjoy the excellent service form the bar. There is also the option to take the short stroll form your loungers to enjoy lunch in their small restaurant. Like much of this part of Tuscany, the water here is exquisitely clear and almost artificially blue. The sand shelves gently at the shore so it’s a great option for families with smaller children. 

10. Marina di Pisa

Pisa is on almost everyone’s Tuscany bucket list. However, we can almost guarantee that beaches are definitely not what spring to mind when you start thinking about the city famous for its leaning tower. Yet just 20 minutes drive from the heart of the city, you’ll find the Marina di Pisa and just beyond this, Tirrenia and Calambrone.

Unlike the long stretches of sand further North, here the beaches tend to be short and narrow and the currents in the sea tend to be quite strong but the Pisa Marina itself is a good family friendly option. The investment in creating artificial breakwaters has worked and the result is a laid-back mini beach resort just a 12 kilometres form the centre of Pisa. Depending on where you’re staying, it may even be an option to walk to the beach along the banks of the river. The beaches here are not paradise-like but if you fancy a bit of sea air and a swim its a very good option. Our advice it to head over in time for lunch and sample one of the lovely beach-side trattorias serving delicious fresh seafood. 

Tips to  see the best beaches in Tuscany

• We certainly wouldn’t suggest trying to visit all of these beaches in Tuscany during one trip – unless it’s a very long trip! However, we think it is possible to visit at least a couple of them in any one visit.
• Probably our favourites are the beaches on Elba island – and we just gave you a snapshot. And this option also gives you an excuse to visit Barrati on your way to the ferry port.
• Do remember that even the most remote of the beaches will be busy in August. However, as long as you plan ahead to arrive early or later in the day there is very often still plenty of beach to enjoy. 
• If you can, rent a boat – this is always the best way to see any beach in Tuscany. 
• Consider visiting during June or September to avoid the busiest months. 

Accommodation in Tuscany

Looking for somewhere to stay so you can enjoy these stunning beaches in Tuscany? Visit Bookingsforyou.com to explore our full collection of villas and apartments in Tuscany. We have everything from cosy Florence apartments to beach houses and magnificent villas tucked in the Chianti hills. We have decades of experience in planning holiday to Italy so you can always contact us to let us help you find your perfect place.