San Vincenzo - in the south of Tuscany

San Vincenzo is a relaxed seaside resort on the Etruscan Coast (Costa degli Etruschi) and belongs to the province of Livorno . The town, with around 6.400 inhabitants, lies between Castagneto Carducci to the north and Piombino to the south. Long sandy beaches lined with pine forests, a lively marina, and a pedestrianized shopping street make it an ideal destination for families and anyone seeking a quiet beach holiday.

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Shopping in San Vincenzo: Market, pedestrian zone & harbor

San Vincenzo isn't a place for luxury shopping, but it's ideal for strolling: the selection ranges from beachwear and shoes to handicrafts and home decor shops, as well as gourmet food stores, with prices ranging from average to inexpensive. All the main shops are within walking distance in the town center, between the train station, beach, and harbor.

Saturday weekly market

The weekly market takes place every Saturday morning , from about 8 a.m. to 13 p.m., in Piazza Giovanni XXIII . Besides fruit, vegetables, cheese, and porchetta, you'll find clothing, shoes, and household goods. Arrive early; in summer it gets crowded from 10 a.m. onwards, and parking in the town center is limited.

Evening markets in summer

During the summer months, there are also evening markets in the town center offering handicrafts, antiques, and bric-a-brac – perfect for a stroll after a day at the beach. Current dates can be found in the town's events calendar (visitsanvincenzo.it).

Shopping street Via Vittorio Emanuele II

Via Vittorio Emanuele II is San Vincenzo's long pedestrian street, running parallel to the beach. Boutiques, shoe and clothing stores, souvenir and craft shops, ice cream parlors, and cafés line the street. The most pleasant time to stroll here is in the early evening, when the whole town is out and about after a day at the beach.

harbor and waterfront promenade

Around the Porto Turistico (Molo F.lli Magnani) and the Piazza del Porto, you'll find mostly bars, restaurants, and ice cream parlors with views of the boats, as well as providers of boat trips, boat rentals, and water sports. It's busiest here at sunset for aperitivo.

Supermarkets and opening hours

For your weekly shopping, there are several supermarkets in town. Smaller shops in the center often close for lunch (around 13 pm to 16 pm) in Italy and stay open later in the evening; during the summer season, many shops in seaside resorts like San Vincenzo are also open on Sundays and until late in the evening. Outside of peak season, some shops have limited hours or are closed altogether – in that case, it's best to plan your major shopping trip at the supermarket.

What to bring? Wine and olive oil from the Etruscan Coast.

San Vincenzo lies on the Etruscan Coast wine route. Good souvenirs include wines from Bolgheri and Suvereto, as well as olive oil from the hinterland – available directly from the producers, in local wine shops, or at the Saturday market. You can read more about the wine-growing regions on our Tuscan wine page . Beware of supposed bargains from street vendors on the beach: Anyone buying counterfeit goods in Italy risks a fine of €100 to €7.000.

Things to see in San Vincenzo

• Torre di San Vincenzo: The coastal tower was built by the Pisans to protect against pirate attacks (first documented in 1285) – today the town's landmark, right on the beach near the harbor.
• Porto Turistico: The marina with the Monumento al Marinaio, restaurants, bars, boat rentals and sailing schools is the meeting place in town in the evenings – beautiful for watching the sunset.
• Via Vittorio Emanuele II: The pedestrian zone is San Vincenzo's shopping street with boutiques, ice cream parlors and cafes.
• Church of San Vincenzo Ferrer: The parish church is located in the center, named after the patron saint of the town.
• Beach promenade: The waterfront promenade invites you to stroll with a view of the sea and, on clear days, as far as Elba.

Beaches in San Vincenzo

The sandy beach stretches for kilometers south from the town center, bordered by pine forest. The town boasts numerous beach clubs with sun loungers and parasols, and the water is clean – San Vincenzo has regularly been awarded the Blue Flag since 2006, and will again in 2026. There's even a designated dog beach.

An overview of the beaches

• City beach and La Principessa: Nearly 3 km of sandy beach directly in the town, mostly with beach resorts, with free sections in between; gently sloping and family-friendly.
• North of the town: Free sandy beach up to the municipal boundary of Castagneto Carducci.
• Rimigliano: Over 5 km of free, almost unmanaged beach in the coastal park, accessible via ten footpaths from the Via della Principessa, also accessible for people with disabilities via wooden walkways.
• With dog: A dedicated dog beach with services; there is also a section for dogs at the northern end of Rimigliano.

For a comparison with other coastal resorts, see our overview of Tuscany's beaches.

Free beaches in the Parco di Rimigliano

South of the town begins the Rimigliano Coastal Park : pine forest, holm oaks, and dunes along the Via della Principessa towards Piombino. Here you'll find long stretches of free beach with no entrance fee. Parking is available – some free, some paid – along the road and at the old watchtower "Torraccia"; from there, footpaths lead through the woods to the sea. Public showers and toilets are located throughout the park, and there's also a fitness trail in the shade of the trees.

Rimigliano is ideal for families: plenty of space, shade in the pine forest for lunch breaks, and a gently sloping sandy beach. In the height of summer, the parking lots fill up quickly in the mornings.

Arrival and parking

By car

San Vincenzo is located directly on the SS1 Aurelia expressway (Aurelia variant) between Livorno and Grosseto . From Florence , it's about 150 km (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes) via the FI-PI-LI and the A12 to Rosignano, then continuing on the Aurelia. From Pisa, Livorno , or Grosseto, the journey takes just under an hour. There is no vignette in Italy; however, tolls are charged on the A12 depending on the distance traveled – more information can be found under Tolls 2026.

By train and plane

The train station is located near the city center on the Tyrrhenian railway line (Pisa–Rome). Regional trains run to Pisa (approx. 1 hour), Grosseto, and Piombino, among other destinations; changing trains in Pisa is usually faster for travel to Florence than the infrequent direct trains. The nearest airport is Pisa, about 60 km to the north.

Parking

Parking in the town center and at the harbor is subject to a fee during the season, with rates varying depending on the time of year. Spaces near the pedestrian zone fill up quickly during the Saturday market and on summer evenings – it's best to park a little further out and walk the rest of the way. For the beaches of Rimigliano, park along Via della Principessa.

Excursions in the area

• Gulf of Baratti and Populonia: Bay with sandy beach and the Etruscan site with necropolises in the archaeological park; above lies the small village of Populonia.
• San Silvestro Archeominerary Park: Mining park with tunnels, museum and the medieval Rocca San Silvestro – exciting for children.
• Campiglia Marittima and Suvereto: medieval mountain villages in the hinterland with alleys, piazzas and beautiful views.
• Bolgheri: Wine village with the famous cypress avenue, north of San Vincenzo.
• Piombino and Elba: In Piombino, the ferries dock for Elba-Island From – a worthwhile day trip.

Tip for Elba: Ferries from Piombino to Portoferraio run year-round with several companies; the crossing takes about an hour. In summer, there are also connections to Rio Marina and Cavo. You can find all the information about timetables and tickets under Getting to Elba.

Those traveling by campervan will find numerous campsites along the Etruscan Coast, many directly in the pine forest by the sea – more information can be found in our article on the most beautiful campsites in Tuscany directly by the sea.

Frequently asked questions about San Vincenzo