Viareggio is the most obvious solution for those seeking a beach near Florence, while the crowds can be overwhelming, you can enjoy the 3km seaside promenade with plenty of bars and shops nearby.
Get a feel of Italy's dolce vita in the pretty town of Castiglioncello, which was once frequented by Italy's elite during the 60's. It remains a popular seaside destination for those looking for an easy day trip.
We cheated a little bit with this one, Livorno is more known for its important port than the beaches, the historical center is worth a visit too, we love the Vettovaglie central market. Pictured is the stunning promenade "Terrazzo Mascagni."
Forte dei Marmi has been a VIP resort town in Tuscany's Versilia coastline since the 19th century, it is the perfect place to catch the sun at one of the many resorts. Walk the waterfront promenade and shop at their designer boutiques. Kid-friendly.
Pietrasanta offers a nice selection of beachfront space (kid-friendly) with a view of the Apuane mountains and as known for the artistic influence that has blossomed here over history. Don't miss a browse through the pretty town center.
Follonica in Grosseto proves that the further south you go in Tuscany, the nicer the beaches get. Also well known for its beautiful "pianeta" or pine woods.
San Vincenzo is one of the best beaches in Grosseto, it offers 10 kilometers of sandy coastline surrounded by pine woods. Nearby is the Rimigliano natural park for those seeking a bit of untouched, protected nature.
This week is set to be a scorcher and our only thoughts are of a beach escape as we barely can handle the heat ourselves. There only so many caffe shakerato a girl can have. Having a swim and walking along Tuscany's coastline is a favorite pastime for any true maritime lover, however for those without a car, it can be tough knowing just how to get there. Luckily, there are plenty of nice options reachable by train or bus which would make for a fun day trip to anyone looking for a little cool relief from Florence. Here are my top seven picks..
1. Viareggio is likely the one you've already heard about and is the closest to Florence in terms of distance, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. While most are paid beaches, we like the lovely 3km promenade with plenty of bars, cafes and Art Nouveau architecture. The regional train runs direct to Viareggio multiple times an hour, about an 1.14 to 1 hour and a half, 9.60€ one way. The beach is one kilometer from the train station.
2. Live la Dolce Vita at the once celebrity 1960's hotspot Castiglioncello, part of the Etruscan coastline on what is called the Perla del Tirreno – or Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The pretty pine woods means that you can find plenty of shade, and the area is spread out over several small rocky bays, which boast beautiful clear water. Take the regional train from Florence to Castiglioncello which takes around an hour and 40 minutes with an average cost of 11.40€, one way. Trains at the moment run about every half hour, the station is around 700 meters from the beach.
3. Livorno is Tuscany's most important port city, with a lovely Terrazzo Mascagni, checkered promenade running to Antignano, all along the coast. It's also worth checking out the old town center, "Vettovaglie" central market, aquarium and old fortress. The must-try dish here is "cacciucco," a Italian fish stew made with garlic, pepper and sage, native to the western coastal towns of Tuscany
4. Forte dei Marmi is home to many of of Italy's VIP customers with a pretty beachfront offering a sunny salvation along with plenty of designer boutiques and gourmet restaurants. Only an hour and 40 minutes from Florence with a train every half hour, make sure to stop at Forte Dei Marmi-Seravezza-Querceta. The regional train costs around 10.70€ one way.
5. Nestled between the Versilia sea and Tuscany's Apuan Alps is the 13th century town of Pietrasanta, also known as “little Athens” where many famous artists like Fernando Botero or Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio found inspiration. Along with the historic old town and art galleries, there is plenty of beachside waterfront to enjoy, it is also known as a nice place to take kids. The regional train takes around an hour and 38 minutes with a cost of 10.70€ one way, running every half hour.
6. Follonica in grosseto is next on our list of top choices for beaches reachable by train from Florence. The local "lido" is a popular favorite for Italian families because of the expansive beaches and shady pine woods. Also worth seeing is the iron museum and Church of San Leopoldo. It takes about two hours and forty minutes by train with a change in pisa centrale. Cost one way: 15.70€. From the train station, you need to walk one kilometer to get to the beach.
7. San Vicenzo or "Spiaggia di Rimigliano" has a lovely blue-flag recognized 10 kilometer beach in an area known for its Etruscan and Roman roots. It is also a popular spot for water sports and nature enthusiasts. Nearby is the Rimigliano natural park which offer walking itineraries through untouched and protected nature. From Florence, the train ride is 2:15 minutes to the station S.Vincenzo, with a cost around 13.50€ one way. From the station to the beach is a 700 meter walk.
