Panoramic roads along the Tyrrhenian Sea
Tuscany’s coast runs along the Tyrrhenian Sea for hundreds of kilometres, making it the perfect route for a spectacular motorcycle trip, with visits to beautiful towns along the way.
This panoramic road trip can be taken both in the summer and in the low season, and boasts a whole lot of culture, food, landscapes and picturesque roads.
Set the gps: Castiglione della Pescaia, Piombino, Populonia, Campiglia Marittima, Suvereto, Castagneto Carducci, Donoratico, Bolgheri, Montescudaio, Riparbella, Pomaia, Castiglioncello, Ardenza, Livorno (Fortezza Vecchia), Marina di Pisa, Pisa (Piazza dei Miracoli), Via Aurelia/SS1, Quiesa, Viareggio, Marina di Carrara.
Set off from Castiglione della Pescaia, with its famous Castello Aragonese that dominates the landscape and looks out over the coast. This seaside town is a destination point for its fine sandy beaches and lively town centre. Once on the road, follow the coves and head towards Rocchette. Cutting through the pine groves along SS3222, turn towards Follonica, and If you love golf, take a left for Punta Ala.
The destination is now Piombino, following the salt ponds and the Torre del Sale farm. Apart from being the departure point for ferries going to the Tuscan Archipelago, the town holds a nice surprise: piazza Bovio and its castle.
Immediately to the north, the ancient Etruscan city of Populonia is the right place for a cultural break, with its Fortress and the Necropolis of San Cerbone in the Archaeological Park. The nearby gulf of Baratti is also worthy.
Now head inland and visit two fabulous towns: Campiglia Marittima and Suvereto. The road in this stretch of the journey is a thrill of winding turns as it leads back to the coast, to Donoratico, passing through Castagneto Carducci, the birthplace of poet Giosuè Carducci. A brief return to via Aurelia offers an enjoyable view of the Viale dei Cipressi (Boulevard of Cypresses) that introduces Bolgheri and its castle.
Set off from Castiglione della Pescaia, with its famous Castello Aragonese that dominates the landscape and looks out over the coast. This seaside town is a destination point for its fine sandy beaches and lively town centre. Once on the road, follow the coves and head towards Rocchette. Cutting through the pine groves along SS3222, turn towards Follonica, and If you love golf, take a left for Punta Ala.
The destination is now Piombino, following the salt ponds and the Torre del Sale farm. Apart from being the departure point for ferries going to the Tuscan Archipelago, the town holds a nice surprise: piazza Bovio and its castle.
Immediately to the north, the ancient Etruscan city of Populonia is the right place for a cultural break, with its Fortress and the Necropolis of San Cerbone in the Archaeological Park. The nearby gulf of Baratti is also worthy.
Now head inland and visit two fabulous towns: Campiglia Marittima and Suvereto. The road in this stretch of the journey is a thrill of winding turns as it leads back to the coast, to Donoratico, passing through Castagneto Carducci, the birthplace of poet Giosuè Carducci. A brief return to via Aurelia offers an enjoyable view of the Viale dei Cipressi (Boulevard of Cypresses) that introduces Bolgheri and its castle.
Along the way, stop in Montescudaio: on a clear day, from the piazza in front of the church, you can see the islands of Capraia, Gorgona and Elba.
Hungry for curves and bends, move on in the direction of Riparbella, following playful roads that lead to Castellina Marittima and Pomaia, the latter of which is famous for the Baccello food festival and a Tibetan monastery.
Along the way, stop in Montescudaio: on a clear day, from the piazza in front of the church, you can see the islands of Capraia, Gorgona and Elba.
Hungry for curves and bends, move on in the direction of Riparbella, following playful roads that lead to Castellina Marittima and Pomaia, the latter of which is famous for the Baccello food festival and a Tibetan monastery.
A new descent towards the sea takes leads to Castiglioncello, whose piazza is a meeting point for bikers on the weekend. Continue now down via Aurelia, avoiding the highway. This coastal road offers fabulous views of the port of Livorno. After passing Quercianella, look for the turn off to the right that leads to the Sanctuary of Montenero.
A new descent towards the sea takes leads to Castiglioncello, whose piazza is a meeting point for bikers on the weekend. Continue now down via Aurelia, avoiding the highway. This coastal road offers fabulous views of the port of Livorno. After passing Quercianella, look for the turn off to the right that leads to the Sanctuary of Montenero.
Now that you’ve arrived in Livorno, check out the Terrazza Mascagni, Fortezza Vecchia and the Venetian quarter. But take note: this area deserves more than just a glance.
From Livorno, Pisa is a hop, skip and a jump away: you can easily reach Piazza dei Miracoli, where you can take a souvenir photo with the Leaning Tower and the Cathedral in the background.
Skirt the Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Natural Park, climb to Quiesa and enjoy a couple of amusing hairpin bends that land in Viareggio: the city of Burlamacco, the official mask of the glorious Tuscan Carnival!
The finale is a promenade overlooking Versilia, with the worldly Forte dei Marmi and the intellectual Pietrasanta. The itinerary closes at Marina di Carrara.
Now that you’ve arrived in Livorno, check out the Terrazza Mascagni, Fortezza Vecchia and the Venetian quarter. But take note: this area deserves more than just a glance.
From Livorno, Pisa is a hop, skip and a jump away: you can easily reach Piazza dei Miracoli, where you can take a souvenir photo with the Leaning Tower and the Cathedral in the background.
Skirt the Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Natural Park, climb to Quiesa and enjoy a couple of amusing hairpin bends that land in Viareggio: the city of Burlamacco, the official mask of the glorious Tuscan Carnival!
The finale is a promenade overlooking Versilia, with the worldly Forte dei Marmi and the intellectual Pietrasanta. The itinerary closes at Marina di Carrara.