The 15 Best Beaches near Florence, Italy (2024)🏖
Florence is home to many architectural masterpieces. Along with the opportunity to explore a city rich in culture, the Capital of Tuscany offers an opportunity to visit some of Italy’s best beaches.
With stunning beaches near Florence, you can experience Italian sandy beaches while enjoying the sun.
In this post, I look at the 15 best beaches near Florence, Italy.
Table of Contents
Are there any beaches in Florence?
No, Florence is not located on the coast, however, there are many beautiful beaches near Florence where you can enjoy Italy’s coastline.
What are the best beaches near Florence?
There are many beautiful beaches nearby. If you are looking for beaches that are close to Florence, then Viareggio, Marina di Pisa, and Castiglioncello are your best options.
If you are willing to travel further, then Bocca d’Arno is a great choice.
What beach is closest to Florence Italy?
The closest beach to Florence is Viareggio, which is about about 62 miles away from Florence.
How to get to the beach from Florence?
There are many ways to get to the beach from Florence. You can take a bus, train ride, or drive.
The best way to get to the beach from Florence depends on your location and how far you are willing to travel.
Here are my top picks for the best beaches near Florence.
Note: We use the term Spiaggia in the following article.
Spiaggia can be translated to “beach” or “shore”
1. The Beaches at Viareggio (Best for Distance from Florence)
There are wide and sandy beaches with plenty of space to relax or swim.
There are also several eateries and cafes lining the beach, so you can enjoy a meal or a drink while watching the sea.
Viareggio is a seaside city in Tuscany. Located about an hour away from the city, Viareggio offers stunning views of Tuscany’s western coast. This 10km stretch of shoreline is one of the most beautiful beach spots.
The promenade has many sites of interest and also features a lighthouse with a panoramic view of the clear blue Mediterranean ocean.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive (1h 3m)
- Alternative – Train (1h 42m) The public beach is close to the train station
2. The Beach at Marina di Pisa (Best for Families and kids)
Marina di Pisa is a nearby fishing village that has been transformed into a coastal resort. It is about 12km away from Pisa (famous for the leaning tower of Pisa).
The beach here is wide and has a sandy shore. The shallow waters are not as clear as the other beaches.
Marina di Pisa is a great place to take a break from the city and enjoy the seaside.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive by car (1h 12m)
- Alternative – Train (1h 21m)
3. The Beach at Castiglioncello (Best for Caves and Cliff Views)
Castiglioncella is a seaside village that is popular with Italian people. This coastal town is located about an hour and a half from Florence in the province of Livorno.
Being positioned away from roads, and amidst cliffs and coves it boasts a beautiful rocky backdrop and it has an unspoiled beauty to it.
There are stretches of sandy beach as well as rockier stretches of beach.
The water is clean and clear, making it perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
The town has become an Italian holiday destination offering many water sports a promenade, a pine tree forest, and hosts several summer festivals.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive by car (1h 24m)
- Alternative – Train (1h 32m)
4. Bocca d’Arno (Best for a Day Trip)
The Bocca d’Arno (mouth of Arno) is located near Marina di Pisa. It is a long stretch of beach that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.
It is one of the most popular spots in Livorno. There are many beach clubs, restaurants and cafes along the beach.
The water is clean and clear, making it perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive by car (1h 32m)
- Alternative – Train and bus (1h 37m)
5. Antignano Beach (Best for Rocky Landscape)
Antignano is a small village located about an hour away from Florence in Livorno. The beach here is wide and has a pebbly shore.
The main attraction is the rocky landscape. It is not ideal for swimming but if you are planning to swim, you should pack some rubber shoes for the water.
The village is also home to many restaurants and cafes.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive (1h 15m)
- Alternative – Train (1h 45m)
6. San Vincenzo (Best for Kitesurfing)
San Vincenzo is a village located on the Etruscan Coast in the Province of Livorno.
The beaches here are wide and sandy with crystal-clear water. The village has a lively atmosphere with many cafes. The promenade is a great place to take a walk or go for a run.
San Vincenzo is also a popular spot for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and boat rides. There are several schools in the area where you can take lessons or rent equipment.
Rimigliano beach is one of the popular beaches in San Vincenzo. Many go for beach trips to Rimigliano. It is also popular for hiking.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive (1h 34m)
- Alternative – Train (1h 54m)
7. Marina di Bibbona (Best for Turtle Spotting)
Bibbona is a small village located in the province of Livorno.
With fine sand and pine trees, the beach at Bibbona is an ideal spot to experience natural Italian beaches.
The water was awarded a blue flag for cleanliness. It is shallow and clear and great for kayaking and paddling.
The beach is also a good spot for spotting loggerhead turtles as they come to lay their eggs.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive (1h 27m)
- Alternative – Train and Bus (2h 34m)
8. Marina di Cecina (Best for Surfing)
Cecina is a quiet village that sits between the hills of Tuscany and the Mediterranean sea.
While relatively quiet, the beautiful beaches tend to get busy during the summer months.
The waves during the winter months are good for surfing. They are lots of open spaces well as family-centered activities.
Cecina is also home to Aquapark which is one of the largest waterparks in Italy.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive (1h 23m)
- Alternative – Train (1h 41m)
9. The Beach in Baratti Gulf (Best for Ancient Ruins)
Baratti Gulf is also known for its well-preserved Etruscan ruins. This small bay sits between the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north of the peninsula. It lies between the promontory of Populonia and Torraccia, which is part of the municipality of San Vincenzo
The shoreline holds some unspoiled beaches as well as developed beaches where you can rent an umbrella and chair.
The area was once an ancient Etruscan port whose main focus was iron processing. When visiting Baratti beach, you may see the black and silver glittering in the sand. This is the remains of the iron processing which remain scattered today.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive (2h 12m)
- Alternative – Train, bus, and 2km walking (3h)
10. Cala Violina Beach (Best for a Quiet Day)
The beach at Cala Violina is located in a natural reserve in Le Bandite di Scarlino in Maremma. It is between Follonica and Punta Ala.
It is known for its clear water, soft white sand, and natural beauty. Nestled in between promontories, it is the perfect place for a relaxing beach experience.
Cala Violina gets its name from the sound you hear when you walk on it, which is said to resemble the sound of a violin.
It is best to visit the beach during the quiet time if you would like to hear this. It can get crowded during the summer months so plan your trip optimally to avoid the crowds.
The beach needs to be accessed by walking 2km on foot or bike which can be a bit tiresome. The beach is narrow and long.
There are not many options for refreshments on the beach during the offseason and it is mainly undeveloped so don’t forget to pack a picnic basket. In the summer months, you may find a food truck.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive and walk to access the beach (2h 5m)
- Alternative – Train, taxi, and walking (2h 38m)
11. Giglio Island Beach (Best for Snorkeling)
Isola (translated as Island) del Giglio is located in the province of Grosseto.
The Island of Giglio has a coastline of 28km spanning isolated coves, cliffs, and many beaches.
Spiaggia Campese is the largest beach in Giglio and features a picturesque cliff and an ancient tower. The beach is unique as the sand is a reddish color. Campese Beach has great sunset views and there are many coffee shops to enjoy.
Spiaggia della Canella is a good spot for snorkeling as it is surrounded by rocks that create a natural aquarium. The limestone cliffs and white sand make it one of the most beautiful beaches in Giglio, but it is also one of the busier spots.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive and Ferry (3h 30m)
12. Forte dei Marmi Beach (Best Beach for kids)
This beach is located in the coastal town of Forte dei Marmi in the province of Tuscany.
Forte dei Marmi is a popular beach destination for families as it has a wide range of activities and amenities. The beach club is well-equipped with showers, toilets, a playground, and a kid’s play area.
The beach is also a good spot for surfing, with many locals coming here to surf.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive by car (1h 31)
- Alternative – Train and bus (2h)
13. Lido di Camaiore (Best for Windsurfing)
This beach is located in the town of Camaiore. Camaiore is a small town located in the province of Tuscany.
Lido di Camaiore is a popular beach for windsurfing, with many locals coming here to surf. The beach is also a good spot for swimming and sunbathing. There are many restaurants and cafes along the beach.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive (1h 15m)
- Alternative – Train and bus (2h 21m)
14. Marina di Massa (Best for Scuba Diving)
This beach is located in the town of Massa, a small town located in the province of Tuscany.
Marina di Massa is a popular beach for scuba diving, with many locals coming here to dive. The beach is also a good spot for swimming and sunbathing. There are many restaurants and cafes along the beach.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive(1h 15m)
- Alternative – Train and bus ( 2h 31m)
15. Isola d’ Elba (Best for Snorkeling)
Elba island is a Tuscan Island that is the 3rd largest island in Italy. It is in the Tyrrhenian sea.
Elba is spread out, taking over an hour to get from one end to the other so there are many beaches to explore.
The island offers natural beauty, crystal clear water private beaches, hikes, and magnificent views.
It requires a bit more effort to get to as you will have to take a ferry to access the island, but once you are at Elba you can enjoy some stunning scenery and water.
Getting there from Florence:
- Fastest – Drive and Ferry (3h)
- Alternative – Bus and Fly (3h)
FAQs
Where in Italy has the nicest beaches?
There are many beautiful beaches in Italy but the nicest beach may depend on your preferences. Some of the most popular beaches in Italy include:
The Tyrrhenian Coast which has crystal clear water and lovely soft sand. It is located on the west coast of Italy and stretches from Tuscany to Campania. Some of the most popular beaches on this coast are: Viareggio, Marina di Pisa, and Cecina.
The Ionian Coast of Italy is spread across four regions of southern Italy. Starting from Santa Maria di Leuca in the Salento region of Puglia where the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea. It also stretches to Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily. Some of Italy’s best beach resorts can be found along the Ionian Coast including Taormina in Sicily and Gallipoli in Puglia.
What is the best beach closest to Florence, Italy?
The closest is Viareggio.
What beach town is between Florence and Rome?
The beautiful coastal town of Cinque Terre lies between Florence and Rome.
Where is the clearest water in Italy?
The island of Sicily.
If you’re looking for a beautiful beach to relax on during your time in Florence, these are the best options near the city.
All of them are easy to get to and offer stunning views, crystal-clear water, and plenty of activities to keep you busy.
See also:
Best Beaches Near Milan, Italy
