Etruscan Coast


Castiglioncello, beaches, sea and what to see

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What to see and what to do in Castiglioncello

Castiglioncello is one of the most beautiful and famous seaside resorts in all of Tuscany. Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, along the Etruscan Coast, Castiglioncello is part of the municipality of Rosignano Marittimo in the province of Livorno. This small seaside town boasts a truly enviable position on a promontory from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea and a truly remarkable panoramic view. The surrounding landscape is made up of beautiful hills and green pine forests: a truly remarkable landscape context.

History

Since the time of the Etruscans, and for many centuries, Castiglioncello has been a simple fishing village, isolated and ignored by the rest of the world. In the seventeenth the Medici built a watchtower that still exists here. Starting from the mid-nineteenth century, Castiglioncello began to acquire an increasingly reputation as a seaside resort. At that time it was also very popular with intellectuals and artists, in particular with exponents of the Macchiaioli movement such as Giovanni Fattori, Silvestro Lega and Telemaco Signorini. At the end of the 19th century, Castiglioncello was enriched by the Pasquini Castle built by the Baron Fausto Lazzaro Patrone. The baron was the first to also create equipped bathing establishments, starting the development of the center in a tourist sense. Another important impetus to the development of Castiglioncello as a tourist destination came in the 1960s when it hosted the set of the famous film “Il sorpasso” with Vittorio Gassman and Jean-Louis Trintignant. Since then it has become the destination of choice for the holidays of many cinema celebrities such as Alberto Sordi and Marcello Mastroianni. Even today, Castiglioncello with its beauty, its beaches and its life remains among the most glamorous and popular seaside resorts in Tuscany.

Castiglioncello in Etruscan Coast
Castiglioncello

Sea and beaches of Castiglioncello

In Castiglioncello there are several beaches that are located both north and south and also along the promontory. Moving from one stretch of coast to another, you can find very different situations: some beaches are in fact characterized by the presence of rocks or stones, while others are sandy. Basically, if you choose Castiglioncello for your beach holidays you will be spoiled for choice!

Spiaggia Fortullino

The northernmost beach of Castiglioncello is called Fortullino. It is a stony beach with the seabed rapidly becoming deep. There is an equipped bathing establishment but given its characteristics it is certainly not the most suitable beach for children. On the other hand, the sea is beautiful and the beach is usually not very crowded.

Baia dell’Arancio

A little further south of the Fortullino we find the Baia dell’Arancio. This beautiful bay is characterized by a beach with a mix of sand and pebbles. In the northernmost part there is a small pier while in the southernmost part there is a bar where you can also rent deck chairs and umbrellas. The central area, on the other hand, is free to access. Here too the sea is beautiful and the water is transparent. Behind these beaches runs a dense pine forest, perfect for sheltering from the sun during the hottest hours.

Spiaggia Le Forbici

A little further down, along the Aurelia, we find LSpiaggia Le Forbici. The beach is well sheltered within a small bay. Here stones and rocks are the masters; surely you will need the special shoes to be able to move easily on this beach. On the other hand, the water is very clean and transparent. I don’t recommend you bring your kids …unless you want to see some skinned knees!

Baia del Quercetano

With the famous Baia del Quercetano we finally arrive at the height of the town of Castiglioncello. Along the bay there are large stretches of sandy beach mostly occupied by bathing establishments although there is no lack of free access sections. Here too the sea is beautiful, rocks emerge from the seabed and in fact the seabed is stony in some places. Surrounded by hills on which there are some luxury villas, the Quercetano Bay is very easy to reach. On the other hand, it is not so easy to find parking.

Punta Righini

Punta Righini is a paradise for lovers of rocks. We are right on the tip of the Castiglioncello promontory. You can get there with a nice walk along the Lungomare Alberto Sordi. With the exception of a single bathing establishment, Punta Righini is completely free. Less crowded than the other beaches in the area, Punta Righini is perfect for those who want to relax away from the noises …the most poetic will also appreciate the breaking of the waves on the rocks.

Spiaggia del Circolo Nautico

At the end of Punta Righini there is a small semicircular bay where we find the Spiaggia del Circolo Nautico. A section is occupied by the nautical club and it is no coincidence that boats are often moored a short distance from the shore. The other sections are occupied by some of the most famous baths of Castiglioncello. It is a sandy beach, equipped with everything you need and easily accessible: if you go to Castiglioncello with children, this beach may be the right choice.

Spiaggetta del ginecologo

The Spiaggetta del “ginecologo” is in the urban area of Castiglioncello. It is located in a small bay well protected by the rocks. There are some bathing establishments and even a small piece of free beach.

Spiaggia libera I Pungenti

I Pungenti beach is a beach made of rocks …pungent! Easily accessible from the Lungomare Alberto Sordi, due to its conformation it is not the ideal beach in which to lie down and sunbathe.

Spiaggia Caletta

Spiaggia Caletta is the last beach we meet in Castiglioncello before reaching Rosignano Solvay. It is a not too wide beach, with a semicircular shape, made up of a mix of sand and pebbles. The seabed is shallow and therefore it can be a good choice if you are with children. There is a bathing establishment but part of the beach is free.

What to do in Castiglioncello

As we have seen, as far as the beaches are concerned, in Castiglioncello there is only the embarrassment of choice. But besides the sea, is there anything to see? The answer is yes, Castiglioncello also has some interesting monuments and an archaeological museum that deserves to be visited. The main things to see are the Pasquini Castle and the Tower of Castiglioncello. Trekking lovers can instead organize a trip to nearby Poggio Pelato.

Castello Pasquini

Located in the center of Castiglioncello, the Pasquini Castle was built starting in 1889. The castle was built in neo-Gothic style in imitation of medieval architecture, complete with a tower and battlements on the walls. The castle has a beautiful garden and enjoys an excellent panoramic position.

Torre di Castiglioncello

The Tower of Castiglioncello is an ancient sighting post from the Medici era (16th century). The tower has a square plan and rests on a solid shoe base. Not a great height, a feature that is accentuated by its massive appearance. Right in front of the tower there is also the small Oratory of Sant’Andrea.

Museo archeologico nazionale di Castiglioncello

Here we are at the cultural moment! The Archaeological Museum of Castiglioncello collects the finds from an Etruscan necropolis dated between the 4th and 1st century BC. which was discovered in the early twentieth century during construction.

For all information on opening hours and tickets, I refer you to the website of the Regional Museum of Tuscany.

Pineta Marradi

The Pineta Marradi is a large green space inhabited by maritime pines perfect for a walk in the refreshing shade of the trees. Inside there are some tennis courts, a minigolf and a cinema.

What to see in the surroundings of Castiglioncello

The first place to visit in the vicinity of Castiglioncello can only be the municipal capital, Rosignano Marittimo. If you want to explore the Etruscan Coast, I recommend that you also read the guides on Bibbona, Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Suvereto, Campiglia Marittima, San Vincenzo and Piombino.

How to get to Castiglioncello

Castiglioncello is located about 20 kilometers from Livorno, 40 from Pisa and 110 km from Florence. You can easily reach the center both by public transport and by car. Castiglioncello has its own railway station well connected with the main centers of Tuscany.
From Florence it takes an hour and a half with Trenitailia; from Pisa half an hour and from Livorno it takes just 15 minutes by train.

By car, if you come from the coast you can easily reach Castiglioncello through the SS1 Aurelia state road (southbound from Pisa and Livorno, northbound from Piombino and Grosseto). From Florence you have to take the FI-PI-LI, then turn onto A12 in the direction of Rosignano Marittimo and Castiglioncello.

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