Sea view aperitif: cocktail beaches in Tuscany

The magic of Elba Island and the view of the crystal clear sea: right above Acquarilli beach - a few kilometers from Capoliveri - directly on the cliff overlooking the cove you can relax with an excellent aperitif, while your gaze is lost in the beauty of the panorama.

If summer tastes like a mojito, then Baratti Beach on the Etruscan Coast is the place to be.
Its stretch of sand is magically nestled between the waves of the Gulf of Baratti and a vast shady pine forest.
Both on the beach and in the very nearby village of Populonia, there are several clubs to spend a cool and fashionable evening.

This area is renowned for important evidence from Etruscan and Roman times. In the Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park - which covers about 80 hectares - history and archaeology enrich an unspoiled landscape.

For lovers of Italian art-house cinema, a stop at Calafuria is a must: the last turn that is framed in Dino Risi's film "Il Sorpasso" (The Easy Life) is Calafuria, just after the village of Quercianella.
Its nature reserve, a short distance from Livorno, covers 116 hectares and is an ideal place for scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing.

Calafuria, of course, has no shortage of small bars and beach clubs ready to offer you a spritz at the right time of day.

Marina di Pisa's beaches can be sandy or pebbly with snow-white pebbles sloping into the clear water; the center is suitable for those - even with family - looking for a quiet evening: it has a quiet and romantic promenade that runs along the waterfront, with small cafes and kiosks selling waffles, peanuts, and candy.

The natural beauty of Marina di Pisa was able to inspire and surprise the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, who wrote the verses of the famous "La pioggia nel pineto" (The rain in the pinewood) right here.

In Viareggio, the main city of Versilia, the Giosuè Carducci Avenue, better known as the Promenade, is a wide pedestrian street that stretches for more than two kilometers, welcoming you with numerous boutiques, cafes, ice cream parlors and restaurants in a succession of elegant, often Art Nouveau-style buildings.

Among its notable elements are the Villa Argentina and Caffè Margherita, which has remained almost untouched since the time Giacomo Puccini frequented it.

Another lively resort is Lido di Camaiore, also in Versilia. Between the marble of the Apuan Alps and the surrounding nature, the small town is frequented by vacationers and trekking lovers alike. Along this part of the Tuscan coast, one is spoiled for choice: every beach establishment organizes almost every evening something special for happy hour to end the day on a high note.

In the northern Maremma, Castiglione della Pescaia is a little gem all to admire: from the charming alleys of the upper part, with an unforgettable panorama, to the port-canal, where fishing boats dock every evening. It is here, in the part most experienced by fishermen, at the mouth of the Bruna River, that bars and little places are concentrated, where you can relax with something cool to sip.

Not far away, in the shadow of Rocchette Fort, you can dine on the beach with fresh fish dishes and a nice glass of white wine, while the sun tinges the Tuscan sky red.

Giglio Campese - on the western side of Giglio Island - is located in an enchanting bay, characterized on the left by a stacks silhouetted against the sea and, on the opposite side, by the Fenaio lighthouse.
From the beach (the largest on the island) there is a splendid view of the bay and the light lingers into the evening, given the western exposure. A gentle wind blows here and the spectacular sunsets provide the perfect setting for a summer aperitif.