Bibbona

In the town’s center, made of winding narrow streets and small medieval piazzas paved in stone, you’ll find the beautiful 11th-century Parish Church of San Illario, unique for its trapezoidal shape. A Romanesque portion of the church remains intact, while inside, you’ll discover two marble baptismal fonts and a remarkable painting, La Madonna del Rosario. Don’t miss the Renaissance Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, known for its Greek-cross layout, whose interior houses a beautiful 14th-century Pietà and equally spectacular 17th-century marble ornaments.
You’ll also find a Vallumbrosan coat of arms decorating the façade of the Church of San Giuseppe, evidence of the monks’ early presence in the town. The Municipality’s medieval palace is home to another treasure: an archive containing records of Bibbona’s local history.

After strolling through town, head to the coast. Here, near Forte from the 1700s (built to defend the area from pirate invasions) you’ll find one of the most popular tourist destinations of the Etruscan Coast: Marina di Bibbona.

Its beaches, usually adorned with blue flags boasting Vele di Legambiente (the environmental association), are ideal for anyone looking to unwind immersed in nature. The long sandy beaches, shaped by golden dunes and mounds of Mediterranean scrub, flank crystal-clear waters and an enchanting pine forest. Wide stretches of free beach are dotted with bathing facilities, offering readily available nautical services, including a small beach area for canine friends. Don’t forget to try tasty, local fish dishes in one of the esteemed restaurants around the area.

The Macchia della Magona is a natural reserve that spans over 1600 hectares. Perfect year-round, it’s a top destination for a nature and sport-loving tourists. The Macchia is home to a variety of Mediterranean plants, including a biogenetic oasis. Choose between sixteen itineraries that unfold along 50 km of the area, perfect for exploring an environment teeming with wildlife. Among these itineraries, check out the itinerary in the heart of Magona, a route accessible via foot, bike or horseback. Crossing valleys and trekking up hills, you’ll observe a large variety of tree species: deciduous, pine, broom, holm oak, evergreen shrub, maple, elm and other shrub species typical of the Mediterranean scrub. The Macchia della Magona is also home to many animal species: wild boars, roes, fallow deer, wild sheep, hares, foxes, porcupines, badgers, squirrels and martens roam the area, not to mention the many birds that stop here during migration, including woodcocks, wood pigeons and buzzards.

Bibboni is also ideal for cycle-tourism, accessible to both race-bicycles and mountain-bikes. Birthplace (and current home) of Paolo Bettini, you won’t want to miss routes like the Gran Fondo Costa degli Etruschi. On bike, you can follow the coastline through the enchanting pine forest, explore the evocative Strada del vino, climb lush rolling hills and in the heart of the Macchia della Magona, follow spectacular woodland paths. You’ll find hotels catered specifically to cyclists, offering a large range of customer services.

In the heart of the Etruscan Coast in the province of Livorno, Castagneto Carducci is a town that attracts travellers given the beauty of the area and the cultural, food and wine variety. The town owes its name to the great poet Giosuè Carducci, who spent part of his life here. The house where Carducci lived is now a richly-packed museum.

Once in Rosignano Marittimo, you can walk along paths and trails in the green that reveal fascinating evidence of the past, such as the wash houses at the Fonte dei Poggetti and the centuries-old windmill.

The ancient Etruscan village of Castiglioncello is worth a visit. The internationally-known tourist resort is charmingly named by some as the "pearl of the Tyrrhenian".

Bibbona is also the hub of a number of fascinating folklore events, like the Processione Storica and the Palio delle Botti. Inspired by age-old local traditions, visit the town in March or April to enjoy these events in the picturesque medieval town.

For oil lovers, don't miss a stop at the oil mills adjacent to the village of Bibbona to taste appetizing bruschetta topped with local extra virgin olive oil. Bibbona is also known for the DOC Terratico vineyards and for its recipes that have all the flavour of the Tuscan countryside.