Grosseto

Grosseto, with around 81.000 inhabitants, is the capital of the province of Grosseto and the center of the Maremma region in southern Tuscany. While it can't compete with Florence or Siena, the perfectly preserved Medici city walls, the cathedral, and the relaxed old town make it worth spending half a day there, especially when combined with a visit to the beach at Marina di Grosseto.

Sights in Grosseto

Medici city walls

Grosseto boasts a completely preserved, hexagonal city wall with projecting bastions. Designed by architect Baldassarre Lanci for the Medici family, construction began in 1574 and was completed in the spring of 1593. A landscaped promenade runs along the top of the wall, encircling the old town – ideal for getting a first impression. Access points include both sides of Corso Carducci. The older fortress, the Cassero Senese, at the northeast corner, is incorporated into the wall. Sections of the wall are periodically restored.

Cathedral of San Lorenzo and Piazza Dante

Am zentralen Platz Piazza Dante steht der Dom San Lorenzo. Mit dem Bau wurde 1294 begonnen; die Fassade aus rot-weißem Stein erhielt ihr heutiges Aussehen bei einer Erneuerung im 19. Jahrhundert. Auf dem Platz erinnert ein Denkmal an Großherzog Leopold II. (gest. 1870), den die Grossetaner „Canapone“ nennen. Er ließ die Sümpfe der Maremma trockenlegen und damit die Malaria zurückdrängen. Gegenüber steht der Palazzo della Provincia.

Kirche San Francesco

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo stands in the central Piazza Dante. Construction began in 13; the red and white stone facade acquired its present appearance during a 19th-century renovation. A monument in the square commemorates Grand Duke Leopold II (d. 14), whom the people of Grosseto call "Canapone." He had the Maremma marshes drained, thereby reducing malaria. Opposite the cathedral stands the Palazzo della Provincia.

Church of San Francesco

The museum at Piazza Baccarini 3 displays Etruscan and Roman artifacts from across the Maremma region, as well as religious art, including Sienese paintings. It's a good starting point before visiting the archaeological sites in the surrounding area.

MAAM opening hours (as of 2026): closed on Mondays (except public holidays). Admission €5, concessions €2,50 (e.g., under 18 and over 65), family ticket €12 (2 adults + up to 3 children aged 6–18), children under 6 free.

Period	Tue–Fri	Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays
1 April – 31 May and 16 Sept – 31 Oct	10:30–17 Uhr	10: 13–16: 19 pm
June 1 – September 15	10:30–18:30 Uhr	10:30–18:30 Uhr
1. November – 31. März	9:30–13:30 Uhr	10: 13–16: 19 pm

Natural History Museum of the Maremma

Ideal for families with children: The Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma (Maremma Natural History Museum) on Piazza della Palma (Strada Corsini) displays minerals – including a nearly two-meter-wide selenite crystal and luminous fluorescent stones – fossils, a reconstructed underwater cave, and dioramas featuring wolves, deer, and wildcats. Current opening hours can be found at museonaturalemaremma.it.

Tour of the old town

The old town within the walls is small and flat – two to three hours are sufficient for the following stops, including a museum visit:

1. Corso Carducci: The main street of the old town, with shops, cafes and the church of San Pietro, leads to Piazza Dante.
2. Piazza Dante: Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Palazzo della Provincia and the monument to Leopold II (“Canapone”).
3. Piazza Baccarini: MAAM Archaeology and Art Museum.
4. San Francesco: Church with cloister in the north of the old town.
5. On the city wall: Finally, walk all or part of the way along the tree-lined ramparts around the old town, past the Cassero Senese.

Excursions around Grosseto

• Roselle: Excavation site of an Etruscan and Roman city with walls, forum and amphitheater, just a few kilometers northeast
• Vetulonia: Etruscan tombs and museum on a hill northwest of Grosseto
• Marina di Grosseto: Seaside resort with a long sandy beach, pine forest and promenade, about 10 km away; Grosseto received the Blue Flag for bathing water and beach management in 2026. More beaches: sandy beaches of the Maremma and Tuscany beaches
• Maremma Nature Park: Wilderness with pine forests, dunes and beach south of the Ombrone estuary (access via Alberese)
• Castiglione della Pescaia: Pretty harbor town with a castle, about 20 km northwest – there's a market there on Saturdays.
• Saturnia: The warm Cascate del Mulino (approx. 37 °C) are located about 50 km southeast – more information at the Terme di Saturnia

Marina di Grosseto and Principina a Mare

Grosseto's main beach is Marina di Grosseto : a long, gently sloping sandy beach with a pine forest in the hinterland, lidos, and free sections. The resort was awarded the Blue Flag again in 2026. Principina a Mare, further south where the Maremma Natural Park begins, is somewhat quieter.

Maremma Nature Park from Alberese

Der Parco Regionale della Maremma umfasst rund 9.000 Hektar und etwa 25 km Küste zwischen Principina a Mare und Talamone. Ausgangspunkt ist das Besucherzentrum in Alberese; ein zweites liegt in Talamone. Für die Wanderwege brauchen Sie ein Ticket (online oder im Besucherzentrum). Bekannte Routen sind A1 zur Abtei San Rabano (17,6 km, anspruchsvoll) und A2 „Le Torri“ zu den Küstentürmen (11,3 km). Vom 15. Juni bis 15. September sind einige Wege aus Brandschutzgründen nur mit Führung begehbar. Am einfachsten und besonders familienfreundlich ist der Strand Marina di Alberese.

Grosseto with children

• Natural History Museum of the Maremma with minerals, fossils and animal dioramas
• A walk along the city wall – car-free and shady
• Bathing day in Marina di Grosseto or Marina di Alberese
• Roselle excavations: plenty of space to explore, just a few kilometers away

Practical tips: Market, opening hours and parking

When is the market in Grosseto?

The large weekly market takes place every Thursday morning. Those looking for a market on Saturdays should head to Castiglione della Pescaia or Orbetello. You can find all markets by day of the week in our overview of weekly markets in Tuscany.

Opening hours of the shops

Smaller shops are generally open from about 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 16 p.m. to 19:30 p.m., with a long lunch break; some remain closed on Monday mornings. Supermarkets and shopping centers on the outskirts of town are usually open continuously and often also on Sundays. You can find more information in our guide to shopping in Tuscany.

Arrival and parking

Grosseto lies on the SS1 Aurelia coastal highway between Livorno and Rome and has a train station on the Pisa–Rome line. The old town within the walls is a traffic-calmed zone (ZTL); parking is available around the walls, from where it's just a short walk. For campers: tips on campsites by the sea can be found in our article " Campsites in Tuscany right by the sea".

Frequently asked questions about Grosseto

Source: ENIT / Photo Teca: Piazza Dante with monument