Things To Do
The Beach
The beach at Castiglioncello is accessible via a few small entry points and steep stairways. Much of the sandy beach is taken up by bagni, which are less expensive compared to their Forte dei Marmi counterparts, although small patches of free beach exist on the sand or further on the edges along the rocks. You’ll want to get there early for prime spots at either the bagni or spiagge libere.
Eat & Drink in Castiglioncello
Taffè Ginori – This historic cafe, open since 1947, is perfect for a morning caffè and pastry. Snag a seat outside under the burgundy umbrellas or sit inside the ornate bar room, relatively unchanged since Alberto Sordi frequented the spot. La Lucciola – The best place for pranzo al mare, where you eat on a platform right on the sea. Get the fresh catch of the day is cooked al forno with potatoes. La Lucciola doubles as a bagno, so you can also rent a lounge chair & spend the day sunbathing. La Piazzetta – Around 5PM, join the locals heading here for a simple, cheap aperitivo. A spritz, bowl of potato chips, & card game perfectly rounds out the evening. Il Cardellino – Open since 2009, this restaurant is a touch more refined, calling back to the Dolce Vita era with its stunning terrace overlooking the sea. Open year round with options from breakfast to dinner, we like it best in the summer around 8 PM to watch the sun set over a huge plate of linguine ai crostacei e salicornia.
Eat & Drink continued
La Baracchina – Find a full seafood menu at this clifftop, sea-facing restaurant, with fresh options. The dining room is surrounded with glass windows overlooking the water. Try the shrimp tartare and the tuna tartare with avocado Il Fortullino – On the coast right by a pine grove between Chioma and Castiglioncello, this spot has a minimally equipped beach and small kiosk. Simple and well-organized, the chill vibe calls back to what the Cinecittà so loved about this beach in the 60s. For lunch, try a schiacciata with prosciutto, zucchini, and basil; cash only. Bagni Nettuno – In the Baia Del Quercetano, this beach club has a number of lounge chairs right on the sand along with a nice bar to get coffee or aperitivo. Open all day, it’s also a great stop for a casual pranzo al mare with local produce & fresh seafood. La Pineta – 20 minutes from Castiglioncello, this all-wooden restaurant has the charm of a beach shack but the caliber of a Michelin-guide restaurant (which it is).
Excursions
Pisa: Just 22 miles away, visit the Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower & Cathedral. Livorno: 11 miles north, this port city offers the scenic Terrazza Mascagni & historic canals known as "Venezia Nuova". Lucca: Located ~30 miles away, this medieval city is famous for its Renaissance walls, which you can walk or bike. Florence: Reachable in 1 hour & 15 mins by car, visit world-class museums like the Uffizi Gallery & the Duomo. Volterra & San Gimignano: These hilltop towns offer medieval architecture and views of the countryside. Bolgheri: A 15-mile drive south leads to this world-famous wine region. Known for its Cypress Avenue and "Super Tuscan" vineyards like those at Terre del Marchesato. Etruscan Coast Beaches: Explore nearby gems like the Baia del Quercetano in Castiglioncello itself, or the unique Spiagge Bianche (White Beaches) in Vada. Populonia & Baratti: Visit the only Etruscan city built by the sea, featuring an archaeological park and a crescent bay.
Island & Boat Tours
Island of Capraia: Daily ferries often depart from nearby Livorno, offering a wild, volcanic landscape perfect for hiking and snorkeling. Elba Island: (Or as Joe likes to call it, "Jurassic Park") You can take a day trip from the port of Piombino (approx. 45 mins south of Castiglioncello) to reach Portoferraio for history and pristine beaches. Local Boat Charters: Private daily boat excursions depart directly from Castiglioncello or Rosignano Marittimo to explore the rocky cliffs of Punta Righini and hidden coves like Baia dell'Arancio.