Golden sand, clear blue water, pine-scented air, and a bit of history: this is what awaits you when you visit the best beaches in Tuscany, Italy.
From long, easy-going strands in Versilia to pebble coves on Elba and hidden bays around Monte Argentario, each shore has its own look and feel.
Families can find gentle waves for young swimmers. Teens chase wind and kite rides, and history fans peek at Etruscan ruins just steps from the surf.
Pack sunscreen, a hat, and a curious spirit. The following 12 spots might just turn an ordinary holiday into a week you talk about all year.
Let’s begin!
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Keep in mind: Our articles may contain errors, despite our best efforts. So, do a thorough research before deciding on a travel destination.
1. Forte dei Marmi (Versilia)
(Photo by Jennifer O’Brien)
Forte dei Marmi is located on the northern Tuscan coast. There’s a wide strip of pale sand and calm, shallow water, really perfect for families.
Behind the shore, you’ll see neat rows of umbrellas and those classic wooden cabins. Beach clubs here once welcomed movie stars, or so the stories go.
Kids dig in and build sand castles. Meanwhile, parents rent bikes and cruise the flat paths shaded by tall pines.
The distant Apuan Alps frame everything and turn pink at sunset. That view brings a cool breeze you can actually feel.
Visitors wander to the long pier, maybe grabbing gelato or just watching small fishing boats glide home. On market days, stalls spill into the main square with fresh fruit, leather bags, and bright summer clothes.
Prices can be high, sure. Still, the town stays clean, safe, and just right for a laid-back day by the sea.
Read also: 27 Best Small Towns in Tuscany, Italy, that You Should Visit
2. Cala del Gesso (Monte Argentario)
(Image from flickr.com – CC BY 2.0)
Cala del Gesso is a small cove on Monte Argentario that feels hidden from the rest of Tuscany. You get there by walking about fifteen minutes down a dirt path, so bring good shoes and some water.
The shore is covered in smooth white pebbles. The sea shows off bright shades of blue and green, almost like glass.
High cliffs rise behind you. They block city noise and give the place a quiet mood that’s hard to find elsewhere.
On summer days, you might spot sailboats and yachts anchored offshore. Their outlines really stand out against the open water.
There aren’t any cafés or bathrooms here, so people bring snacks and haul all their trash home.
Since it’s tough to reach, the cove almost never gets crowded. It’s a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, or just taking an afternoon nap under a beach umbrella.
Read next: 30+ Tuscan Countryside Aesthetic Landscapes for Inspiration
3. Viareggio (Versilia)
(Photo by Diederik Smit)
Viareggio stretches for miles along the Versilia coast. The beach has soft golden sand and gentle waves, so swimming’s easy for kids.
A wide boardwalk runs behind the sand. It’s lined with Liberty-style buildings, busy cafés, and gelato stands.
Every afternoon, families rent colorful umbrellas and deck chairs. They set them up in neat rows that reach the water.
The famous Carnevale floats are stored nearby. Sometimes you’ll spot workers repainting the giant papier-mâché heads: a little surreal to see them up close.
At sunset, lots of people wander out to the long pier. They watch fishing boats come back and snap photos of the sky glowing orange over the Apuan Alps.
Lifeguards walk the shore, and showers are free. The train station’s just a short walk away, so traveling from Pisa or Florence is a breeze.
4. Spiaggia di Sansone (Elba Island)
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Spiaggia di Sansone is on the north side of Elba Island. It’s famous for bright white pebbles that gleam under the sun and make the sea look electric blue.
Tall limestone cliffs rise on both ends. They block strong winds and keep the water calm.
To reach the shore, you park by the main road. Then you follow a short footpath through low shrubs: sturdy sandals definitely help here.
Snorkelers love the clear water. Schools of silver fish circle the rocks near the edge, which is always a treat to watch.
Facilities are basic. There’s just one kiosk with cold drinks and umbrella rentals, so it’s smart to pack lunch and plenty of water.
On clear days, you can spot the outline of Capraia Island on the horizon. In late afternoon, the setting sun turns the cliffs rosy while swimmers take a final dip before heading back up the trail.
5. Golfo di Baratti (Populonia)
(Photo from flickr.com – CC BY 2.0)
Golfo di Baratti forms a wide crescent of reddish sand. Iron left from Etruscan smelting gives the beach its unique color.
The water stays shallow for a long distance. That makes it a great spot for young swimmers who want to feel safe.
Behind the shore, a thick pine forest offers cool shade. Footpaths snake through the trees, leading to ancient tombs and the acropolis of Populonia.
You can’t help but feel the history: people lived and worked here over two thousand years ago!
Small kiosks dot the area, selling panini, cold drinks, and even kayak rentals. There’s only one parking lot, and it fills up early on weekends, so getting there before mid-morning isn’t a bad idea.
Snorkelers drift above patches of seagrass where colorful fish hide. If you’re lucky enough to stay until late afternoon, the setting sun turns both the sea and the old stone walls on the hill a deep, glowing gold.
It’s a peaceful way to wrap up the day: something about that light just feels special!
6. Le Rocchette (Castiglione della Pescaia)
(Photo from flickr.com – CC BY 2.0)
Le Rocchette sits near Castiglione della Pescaia. Golden sand stretches out, watched over by a stone tower that once guarded the coast.
In the afternoons, the sea breeze picks up. Wind- and kite-surfers flock here, chasing the wind.
Mornings are usually calmer. That’s when kids splash around in the clear water.
A line of laid-back bars rents umbrellas and serves up panini. Just behind them, a pine forest waits, perfect for a shady picnic.
Parking fills up fast. If you want to save time, show up early or maybe just bike in from town.
7. Cecina Scoglietto (Tomboli di Cecina Nature Park)
Cecina Scoglietto sits inside the Tomboli di Cecina Nature Park. Fine pebbles meet a clear, calm sea protected by breakwaters.
Behind the beach, thick pine woods offer cool shade. The air smells sweetly of resin.
A marked bike path runs from the town center straight to the sand. Families can pedal here without worrying about traffic.
Small food trucks park nearby, selling focaccia, fresh fruit, and chilled drinks. There’s just one rental hut, which offers umbrellas and pedal boats.
Sunsets here paint the sky orange. On crystal clear days, you might even spot Elba Island on the horizon.
8. Quercianella’s Bays (Costa degli Etruschi)
(Photo from flickr.com)
Quercianella’s Bays dot the rugged Costa degli Etruschi. Small rocky inlets connect by a seaside footpath and a short stretch of road.
Stone platforms slide into clear water. The colors shift between blue and green: pretty much perfect for snorkeling or just jumping in from the rocks.
There’s a compact train station about five minutes from the shore. So, if you’re coming from Livorno or Pisa, you can reach the beach without needing a car.
One café sits perched above the bay. It rents sunbeds and serves up fresh seafood plates.
Pine trees behind the cliffs throw some much-needed shade during the hottest hours. Late in the day, locals gather on the rocks to watch the sun drop behind Capraia Island.
9. Cala Violina (Scarlino, Maremma)
(Photo from flickr.com – CC BY 2.0)
Cala Violina sits tucked inside the Le Bandite di Scarlino reserve. You’ll need to walk about twenty minutes through quiet pine woods to reach it.
The sand here is made of tiny quartz grains that squeak like a violin under your feet. It’s a memorable detail that always surprises first-timers.
Pale-blue water stays calm, so kids can swim safely. Snorkelers will spot fish darting around the rocks, which is pretty great if you’re into that.
There aren’t any bars or bathrooms, so bring your own food, water, and a trash bag. Parking fills up fast in summer, so it’s smart to get there early.
10. Castiglioncello (Rosignano Marittimo)
(Photo by Chris Barbalis)
Castiglioncello, near Rosignano Marittimo, has these small rocky coves with clear, green-blue water. The flat rocks are perfect for sunbathing, though they can get pretty toasty in the afternoon.
A paved promenade runs above the shore, lined with Liberty-style villas that are fun to admire. You can reach cafés and gelato bars in just a few minutes, which is a lifesaver on hot days.
Swimmers usually find calm spots tucked between the rocks. Kids love poking around the tide pools, always hoping to spot a crab or two.
If you’ve got a snorkel mask, you’ll spot sea urchins and bright fish clinging close to the cliff walls. Sometimes you’ll see people just floating there, totally mesmerized.
There’s a train stop right in town, making day trips from Pisa or Florence a breeze. Car parking does fill up fast on midsummer weekends, but if you come early, you’ll probably find a spot.
11. Marina di Pietrasanta (Versilia)
(Photo by Matteo Kutufa)
Marina di Pietrasanta stretches out with nearly five kilometers of soft sand. Neat rows of beach clubs line the shore.
A long jetty juts into the sea, dotted with modern art pieces. Kids love watching local anglers pull in their catch there, sometimes you’ll see a real whopper.
Behind the beach, a flat bike lane weaves past small squares and cafés. The path leads into Versiliana park, where tall pines shade summer shows and book fairs.
The Apuan Alps loom in the distance, so you can sunbathe with a mountain view. It’s a pretty sweet backdrop for a lazy afternoon.
Trains to Viareggio and buses to Lucca run regularly.
12. Lacona Beach (Elba Island)
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Lacona Beach stretches for a full kilometer along Elba’s south coast. Even in August, there’s plenty of room for everyone.
The sand feels light and fine underfoot. Water stays waist-deep surprisingly far from shore, so it’s great for kids or anyone who’s not a strong swimmer.
Low dunes topped with fragrant juniper hide campsites and snack bars. There’s just one dive shop, and they’ll rent you a kayak if you ask.
Small boats anchor just past the swim buoys. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Montecristo Island way out on the horizon.