Coastal tour: Scarlino-Grosseto
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Between Follonica and Grosseto, the coastal tour briefly leaves the sea: The SS1 Aurelia highway leads through the hilly Maremma region, past the medieval towns of Scarlino, Gavorrano, and Montepescali. You can reach the water with short detours to the famous Cala Violina bay, Punta Ala, and Castiglione della Pescaia. Here you will find the stages, beaches, and market days of the route.
The route at a glance
- Route: Follonica – Scarlino – Gavorrano – Montepescali – Grosseto via the SS1 Aurelia; Detour to the coast to Cala Violina, Punta Ala and Castiglione della Pescaia
- Beaches: Bays in the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve (Cala Violina 2026 only with online reservation), sandy beaches near Castiglione della Pescaia and Marina di Grosseto – both with a Blue Flag in 2026
- Markets: Follonica Fri, Castiglione della Pescaia Sa, Grosseto Thu
- Onward journey: Coastal tour Grosseto – Monte Argentario
Data from OpenStreetMap - Posted under ODbL
Scarlino and Cala Violina Bay
Scarlino (rund 3.700 Einwohner) liegt auf 229 m Höhe am Hang des Monte d’Alma. Über dem Ort thront die Rocca Pisana, eine Burg, die auf das 10. Jahrhundert zurückgeht und später von Pisa und den Appiani ausgebaut wurde. Von oben reicht der Blick über den Golf von Follonica bis nach Elba. An der Küste gehören der Jachthafen Puntone und das Naturgebiet Bandite di Scarlino mit seinen Buchten zur Gemeinde.
Cala Violina: Reservation 2026
Die Cala Violina mit ihrem feinen, hellen Sand gilt als eine der schönsten Buchten der Toskana. Den Namen verdankt sie dem Sand, der beim Darübergehen leise „singen“ soll. Wegen des Andrangs ist der Zugang vom 1. Juni bis 30. September 2026 begrenzt: höchstens 700 Personen pro Tag (8.30–18.30 Uhr), Reservierung online über calaviolinascarlino.it ab 72 Stunden vorher, 1 € pro Person ab 12 Jahren. Auch der Parkplatz Val Martina (200 Plätze, 10 €, Wohnmobile 15 €) muss vorab gebucht werden. Vom Parkplatz sind es rund 1,8 km zu Fuß (25–30 Minuten).
Gavorrano and Montepescali
Gavorrano: Mining history
Gavorrano lies on the northern slope of Monte d'Alma. Pyrite was mined here from 1898, and until 1981 the town was one of the most important mining centers in Europe. The Parco Minerario Naturalistico tells this story ; in the former quarry, performances take place in the open-air theater Teatro delle Rocce during the summer. The medieval hamlets of Giuncarico, Caldana, and Ravi are also worth a visit.
Montepescali: Balcony of the Maremma
Das ummauerte Dorf Montepescali gehört zur Gemeinde Grosseto und wird wegen seiner Aussicht über die Küstenebene bis zum Toskanischen Archipel „Balcone della Maremma“ genannt. Die elliptische Stadtmauer mit Türmen umschließt den Ort vollständig; die Kirche San Niccolò hat Fresken aus dem 14. Jahrhundert.
Image left: Castiglione della Pescaia , Fototeca ENIT. Middle image: Castiglione della Pescaia, Wikipedia IT. Image on the right: Gavorrano, Wikipedia IT
Side trip to the coast: Punta Ala and Castiglione della Pescaia
Punta Ala
Punta Ala is a district of Castiglione della Pescaia and was developed primarily as a holiday resort starting in the 1960s and 1970s. It boasts a large marina, the Punta Ala Golf Club (founded in 1964), and a sailing club, which gave rise to the America's Cup project Luna Rossa. The villas are scattered throughout the pine forest, creating an exclusive and tranquil atmosphere.
Castiglione della Pescaia
Castiglione della Pescaia is more down-to-earth: a fishing port on the canal, above it the walled old town with its castle, and in front of it long sandy beaches that will be awarded the Blue Flag in 2026. Behind the town lies the Diaccia Botrona wetland, a nature reserve for waterfowl. Try the catch of the day in one of the fish restaurants at the harbor. You can find accommodations via Booking.com.
Grosseto and Marina di Grosseto
The provincial capital, Grosseto , is surrounded by a completely preserved hexagonal Medici city wall, which visitors can walk along. On the coast lie Marina di Grosseto (Blue Flag 2026) and Principina a Mare, with their long sandy beaches and pine forests. To the south begins the Maremma Natural Park – more on this in the next section and under " Maremma Sandy Beaches".
Weekly markets along the route
| Location | Market day | Important notes |
|---|---|---|
| Follonica | Friday | morning, Parco Centrale |
| Castiglione della Pescaia | Saturday | morning |
| Grosseto | Thursday | morning |
You can find all market days under Markets in Tuscany . For motorhome travelers: Motorhome pitches in Tuscany and campsites directly by the sea . The previous section describes the Bibbona – Follonica coastal tour.
Find accommodation in Castiglione della Pescaia
Frequently asked questions about the coast between Scarlino and Grosseto
Do I need to reserve Cala Violina?
Ja, vom 1. Juni bis 30. September 2026 ist der Zugang auf 700 Personen pro Tag begrenzt. Die Reservierung (1 € ab 12 Jahren) ist online über calaviolinascarlino.it ab 72 Stunden vorher möglich; der Parkplatz Val Martina muss ebenfalls vorab gebucht werden.
How far is it from the parking lot to Cala Violina?
From the Val Martina parking lot, a marked path of approximately 1,8 km leads to the bay in 25 to 30 minutes.
When is the market in Castiglione della Pescaia?
The weekly market takes place on Saturday mornings. It may be rescheduled on public holidays.
Which beaches between Follonica and Grosseto have been awarded the Blue Flag?
In 2026, Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia and Marina di Grosseto will wear the FEE's Bandiera Blu.
What is worth seeing in Gavorrano?
The Parco Minerario Naturalistico, dedicated to the history of pyrite mining, the open-air theatre Teatro delle Rocce in summer, and the medieval hamlets of Giuncarico, Caldana and Ravi.
