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Tuscany's coasts

Tuscany's coasts
Diversity of landscape, variety and numerous cultural and architectural highlights in the immediate vicinity: This is what distinguishes the Tuscan coast, which stretches for a total of almost 400 kilometres along the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is divided into four sections, from north to south: the Apuan Coast, Versilia, the Etruscan Coast and the Maremma Coast.
The Apuan Coast

The Apuan Coast - seaside holidays and more

The Apuan Coast or Apuan Riviera lies between the mouths of the Magra and Versilia rivers. It is flat throughout and offers many large and beautiful beaches over a length of about 13 kilometres. Only a small part of them is freely accessible. Most of them are public beach resorts (bagni) and charge an entrance fee. In addition, many of the hotels along the Apuan Riviera have their own private beaches. The Apuan coast is perfect for swimming holidays with the whole family, but there are also numerous water sports centres offering e.g. windsurfing and sailing. Beautiful hiking trails and mountain bike routes in the nearby Apuan Alps invite you to do some sporting activities on land. And also some worth seeing cities nearby, like Carrara, home of the famous marble, Pisa or Lucca are always worth a visit.
Versilia coast

Versilia - where the moon is at home

Versilia, the 30-kilometre-long stretch of coastline to the south, is also diverse. The region became a popular holiday destination as early as the 19th century and is characterised by sophisticated seaside resorts such as Forte dei Marmi, Marina di Pietrasanta, Lido di Camaoire and Viareggio. Chic hotels and villas from the Belle Epoque, but also smaller guesthouses and holiday flats - something for every budget - are ready and waiting for the sun-seekers and beach holiday lovers from Italy and all over the world who "flood" Versilia in summer. But night owls and culture lovers also get their money's worth here. For the latter, a visit to the small town of Viareggio, known for its carnival celebrations, is a must. A carnival museum offers the opportunity to see replicas of the most beautiful allegorical floats all year round. In addition, musical instruments from different eras and countries are on display at the Musei civici.
The Etruscan Coast

The Etruscan Coast - varied and charming landscape

At around 100 kilometres, the Etruscan Coast, which stretches between Livorno in the north and Piombino in the south, is somewhat longer and has a very varied landscape. Rocky sections and cliffs alternate with long sandy and pebble beaches. Hidden little bays can only be reached on foot or by sea. The beaches are often surrounded by fragrant pine forests, which were planted about 200 years ago as protection against the sometimes very strong winds. This coast got its name because numerous historical relics from the Etruscan period have been found here. Bathing, surfing, cycling, hiking - all this and much more can be done on the Etruscan Coast with a mild climate all year round. Historic cities such as Livorno, with one of Italy's most important ports, and San Vincenzo invite you to go sightseeing.
Maremma coast

The Maremma - a natural paradise

The southern end of the Tuscan coast is the Maremma coast. This section begins at Follonica and extends to the mouth of the Chiarone River on the border with the Lazio region. In terms of landscape, the Maremma is similarly varied and charming as the Etruscan Coast. Castiliogne della Pescaia with its inhabited castle, from which you have a fantastic view of the offshore islands, is considered one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Tuscany. A true paradise is also the underwater world of the Maremma sea with its extremely rich fauna and flora. Consequently, several marine protected areas have been designated here. And on land, too, a great deal of importance is attached to nature conservation. The best example of this is the Maremma National Park, which has existed since 1975. The Parco Regionale della Maremma, as it is called in the local language, offers an unbelievably diverse, natural, intact ecosystem with rare animals (stone martens, wild cats, numerous bird species) on about 100 square kilometres.
Tuscany Coastline
Conclusion: The Tuscan coast is not only beautiful, but also has an incredible amount to offer tourists. This certainly includes the excellent water quality in the entire Tuscan coastal area. Proof of this is also the annual awarding of the "Blue Flag" environmental seal to many beaches, which takes into account not only water quality but also cleanliness on the beach and in the sanitary facilities.

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