Coastal tour: Livorno-Cecina

The coastal road from Livorno to Cecina is about 35 km long and first runs along a rocky cliff coast with small bathing coves, then along long sandy beaches. Along the way you pass the port town of Livorno, the seaside resort of Castiglioncello, the white beaches of Rosignano Solvay and Vada, and Cecina with its seaside resort Marina di Cecina. Here you will find the stages, beaches and market days along the route.

Data from OpenStreetMap - Posted under ODbL

Livorno: Port city with canals

Livorno, with a population of around 150.000, is the largest city on the Tuscan coast and an important ferry port: from here, ships depart for Corsica (Bastia), Sardinia (Olbia, Golfo Aranci), Sicily (Palermo), and the island of Capraia . The Italian Navy trains its officers at the Accademia Navale in Livorno.

Worth seeing are the Venezia Nuova canal district, the Fortezza Vecchia and the Fortezza Nuova, the Quattro Mori monument at the port, and the cathedral, which is dedicated to Saint Francis, among others. At the Mercato Centrale, a large market hall dating from 1894, the people of Livorno buy fish, fruit, and vegetables from Monday to Saturday mornings. In the evening, a stroll along the checkerboard-tiled Terrazza Mascagni on the waterfront promenade is worthwhile. Be sure to try the fish stew Cacciucco – addresses can be found under Livorno: Restaurants and Trattorias.

Cliffs to Castiglioncello

Antignano and Quercianella

South of Livorno, the coast becomes rocky. Near Antignano and Quercianella, steps lead down to small pebble and rocky coves with clear water – ideal for snorkeling, but less suitable for small children. Livorno received the Blue Flag award for the Quercianella section in 2026. Parking spaces along the coastal road are scarce in summer.

Castiglioncello

The elegant seaside resort belongs to the municipality of Rosignano Marittimo and lies on a headland with a pine forest. In the 19th century, painters of the Macchiaioli movement met here, and later film stars came. The beaches and coves are small but especially beautiful; Castiglioncello also holds the Bandiera Blu 2026.

Rosignano Solvay and Vada

The Spiagge Bianche

In Rosignano Solvay, the large Solvay chemical plant dominates the landscape. South of it lie the "Spiagge Bianche" – white beaches with turquoise water, often touted as the "Caribbean of Tuscany." However, the color is not natural: it comes from the lime (calcium carbonate) that the plant has been discharging into the sea for decades from soda production. Researchers have detected mercury in the sand, and environmental groups have been criticizing the discharges for years. Many families prefer to swim at the beaches south of Vada or in Marina di Cecina.

Go

The small town of Vada has a long, gently sloping sandy beach with a pine forest in the hinterland and several campsites, for example in the district of Mazzanta. According to the local press, the weekly market takes place on Friday mornings in the town center (Via XX Giugno) – if in doubt, check locally.

Left picture: Fortress of Livorno, ENIT photo gallery. Middle picture: Terrazza Mascagni da Hotel Palazzo, Wikipedia IT. Right picture: White beach near Vada, Wikipedia IT

Cecina and Marina di Cecina

Cecina (population approximately 28.000) has Roman origins; however, the present-day town only came into being in 1852, after Grand Duke Leopold II had the marshes drained. The seaside district of Marina di Cecina boasts a wide sandy beach, a promenade, bars, and restaurants – awarded the Blue Flag in 2026. To the south lies the Tomboli di Cecina nature reserve with its pine forest and open stretches of beach. For history buffs, the archaeological park near San Vincenzino, with the remains of a Roman villa, is well worth a visit.

Markets in Cecina

The large weekly market in Cecina is on Tuesday mornings. During the season, there is also a market on Sundays in Marina di Cecina (starting in early May 2026). You can find all market days along the coast under Markets in Tuscany.

Excursions into the hinterland

Cecina is a good starting point for trips inland: via the SS68 you can reach Volterra (around 40 km) and from there the towered town of San Gimignano . To the south, the coastal tour continues via Bibbona and San Vincenzo to Follonica.

Weekly markets along the route

Location	Market day	Important notes
Livorno (Mercato Centrale)	Monday to Saturday	morning, market hall Via Buontalenti
Go	Friday	morning, town center
Cecina	Tuesday	morning
Marina di Cecina	Sunday	in the season (2026 from May)

Those traveling by motorhome can find pitches under Motorhome pitches in Tuscany and campsites directly by the sea . Our page Tuscany: Sea and Beach compares the beaches of the entire coast.

Frequently asked questions about the coast between Livorno and Cecina