Dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and hidden coves were all the reasons why I wanted to visit one of the many Tuscany coastal towns. The charming medieval towns gave you art and culture wrapped into one experience.
Coastal Tuscany towns will entice you with their fine sandy beaches and charming restaurants and bars. The laidback, go-with-the-flow Tuscan vibe here makes it unique from some of the bigger cities in Italy, and you will find yourself more in the Italian countryside in this region. You can easily switch between relaxing days at the beach and hiking in the mountains.
If you’d like to learn more about the Tuscan coast and its towns, keep reading as we do a deep dive into the best towns to see here.
Our Top 10 Tuscany Coastal Towns
1. Castiglione della Pescaia
At the top of Castiglione della Pescaia sits a medieval fortress with stunning views of the blue seas of the Tyrrhenian Coast. It ranks as one of the jewels of the Maremma. Check it out as the perfect site for long walks, cycling, or horse riding. The nearby sea also has long stretches of fine sand beaches.
2. Viareggio
You would love Viareggio not just for the seaside paradise, but this makes a great site for the figurative arts. Throughout the city, you will encounter refined art-deco architecture. As one of the Tuscany coastal towns, you will find the beaches sandy and sunny and well-maintained. One of the cool things about Viareggio as one of the coastal Tuscany towns is that it only sits 13 miles from Pisa where you can see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
3. Castiglioncello
Belonging to the Etruscan Coast, outdoor sports lovers and those who love to lounge around on beaches will love this site. You can go windsurfing or sailing. Snorkelers and divers like Castiglioncello because of the diverse aquatic life in the underwater seabeds. They have an archaeological museum worth checking out and the monuments here are worth it too.
4. Porto Ercole
Full of colorful buildings and perched on hills surrounding a harbor, Porto Ercole was once the site of ancient Spanish forts. This city is full of fortresses. Many people relax on the beach, but you can do other things like boating, diving, kayaking, or surfing. Choose from free and private beaches. You would want to see this town because it is ranked as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Walking through the narrow streets, it will take you to some of the best monuments in the city.
Explore more: Towns in Tuscany – 15 Jewels of Italy’s Rich Culture
5. Forte Dei Marmi
This town earned a famous reputation for its incredible festivals. Check out the patron Sant’Ermete, an event you don’t want to miss full of stalls and fireworks shot from the pier. This is also one of the best coastal towns in Tuscany for luxury tourism. You also have high-end fashion boutiques worth visiting.
6. San Vincenzo
The historic tower of San Vincenzo is worth a visit, and this town on the Tuscan Coast has fortifications and lookouts that were once a defense from pirates. You can check out the tourist port if you’d like to go on a quality yachting experience. At one point, this port was a trading port. San Vincenzo enjoys year-round good weather with breezy summers and mild winters.
7. Porto Santo Stefano
With crystal clear seas and nature nearby, Porto Santo Stefano offers you enchanting views of the city and the surrounding countryside. This is the best coastal town in Tuscany for beaches because of the crystalline waters and dreamy coastline. If you’re looking for one of the Tuscany coastal towns with less of a touristy vibe, definitely check this one out.
8. Talamone
The best coastal town in Tuscany for sailing, windsurfing, and kite surfing, you won’t run out of fun things to do in Talamone. This small and medieval seaside village on the Tuscan coast protects its visitors with medieval walls. Many know this site as Tuscany’s Etruscan Riviera. You can learn about the local aquatic wildlife here with a visit to the Aquarium of Orbetello Lagoon. Outside of the city, you could visit the Natural Park of the Maremma with known species like wildcats, wolves, martens, wild boar, fallow deer, and roe deer. This is an unspoiled natural paradise. Talamone is one of the best coastal towns in Tuscany.
9. Marina Di Pietrasanta
While maybe not as classy as the neighboring town of Forte Dei Marmi, Marina Di Pietrasanta still has long sandy beaches. You’d think of this place as a cozy Italian resort with tasty restaurants, cafes, bars, and fun nightlife. This also happens to be one of the most qualified centers for the art of sculpture. Many of the families here will pass their sculpting skills down from one generation to the next.
10. Orbetello
Sitting right in the heart of the Maremma, many travelers listed it as the most interesting city in all of Italy. It sits in the middle of a stunning lagoon, and it has become a popular hotspot for camping enthusiasts. The town does great for water sports, too. Some of the areas of interest around Orbetello include the Tarot Garden in Capalbio, and, more far away, the Hot Springs of Saturnia. You can also find plenty of historic sites here since this ancient Etruscan settlement dates back to the 8th century BC before it fell under the control of the Roman Empire.
Hidden Gems of the Tuscan Coast
Populonia
Populonia is one of the hidden gems among Tuscany’s coastal towns. While it’s a hilltop medieval village, at the base of the hill where it stands, there’s an archaeological park. The temples alone make it worth the visit, but the mosaics and streets from the Roman era only sweeten the pot. You can view many ancient Roman buildings, and the Etruscan walls (it was one of the Etruscan cities) make it worth it, also. Some of the tombs here are also impressive, and the town gives you some picturesque vantage points of the sea.
Quercianella
Most travelers visit Quercianella for one reason: the beaches. You can find hidden coves here full of fish and luxury beach resorts. Quercianella has grown in popularity among divers and snorkelers because of the fish. You’d think of this town as the perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.
Punta Ala
Not quite as visually striking as the Amalfi Coast, but this modern and quaint village will draw you in from the moment you set foot on it. It ranks as one of the most exclusive tourist destinations along the Tyrrhenian Coast. Not only does this destination have a reputation for its tranquility, but it also has one of the largest golf courses in all of Europe. They organize sailing regattas here, too.
Best Coastal Towns of the Tuscan Archipelago
Portoferraio
With a diverse range of beaches, you can choose the mixed sand and gravel ones like Le Viste, Bagnaia, Ottone, or Le Ghiaie. You could choose sandy beaches like Forno or Scaglieri. For the pebble beaches, check out Seccione, Magazzini, or Capo Bianco. Most of the time, Portoferraio is the first town you see when you arrive at the island of Elba.
Porto Azzurro
For those who can’t speak Italian, Azzurro means, “Azure,” and they called it Porto Azzurro because of its distinct azure-colored sea. Most travelers come because of its fascinating rock formations combined with the white sand on its beaches. This is a lively town that has historically been a fishermen’s village. As one of the Tuscany coastal towns of the archipelago, you can quickly tell that this town has distinct Spanish origins. It sits on the east coast of Elba and sits about 8 miles from Portoferraio. The town has its own traditional quarters and you can stroll through many narrow streets with a wealth of shops.
Giglio Campese
Many travelers visit Giglio Campese for the spectacular sunsets along the beach. Giglio Campese is on the western side of the island, and it’s one of three towns located on the island. This town has the biggest sandy beach on Giglio Island. They lined the beaches with bars and restaurants. You can also check out some of the private beach areas. You could scoot along on an e-bike or hike the island’s isolated areas. Some people choose to rent boats as a way to explore.
Explore more: Hiking in Tuscany – 10 Enchanting Adventures on Foot
Frequently Asked Questions About Tuscany Coastal Towns
What is the Most Beautiful Coastal Town in Tuscany?
Porto Ercole would rank as one of the most beautiful Tuscany coastal towns due to it being built on Mount Argentario. Many travelers report it as one of the most beautiful and charming towns that they have ever seen. This Italian town will leave a lasting impression with its perfectly preserved fortresses and stunning views wherever you go.
Is the Tuscan Coast Worth Visiting?
For tourists who love beaches and being more in the country, the coast has a lot to offer. Without a doubt, this has become one of the most popular regions for tourism in all of Italy. The things you will encounter here include medieval towns, spectacular natural beauty, world-class wines, and tasty Tuscan food.
