The Etruscan Riviera (Riviera degli Etruschi) or the Etruscan coast (Costa degli Etruschi) is a coastal belt in the Italian region of Tuscany. That is why the area got its second name – the Tuscan Riviera.
The Etruscan Riviera stretches from Pisa in the north to the town of Civitavecchia in the south. Such famous cities as Livorno, Piombino and Grosseto are located between these two townships, as well as the lagoon of Orbetello.
The Etruscan Coast was named after the ancient people who inhabited modern Tuscany before Christ. The Etruscan Riviera gives an excellent chance to combine resort and cultural rest as the signs of the Etruscan advanced culture have remained intact up to nowadays.
The Etruscans were one of the most developed people of their time. A big part of what we consider to be an achievement of Ancient Rome civilization was borrowed from the Etruscans. For example, they had a tradition of holding sport contests devoted to the Gods.
Ancient settlements, most of which exist today, are the greatest achievement of the Etruscans. They founded such cities of Tuscany as Volterra, San Gimignano, Piombino, Fiesole, Pitigliano, Chiusi, Poppi and others. Each of them is worth visiting and sightseeing.
Ancient Etruscan necropolises also were not lost in the Tuscan Riviera, for example the ones close to the cities of Populonia, San Vincenzo and Pitigliano.
The remains of ancient furnaces which tell us that the Etruscans knew the technology of mining and producing minerals are an attraction of Monte Calvi outskirts.
The area of Cape Piombino is another place worth considering. The natural beauty lovers will appreciate the advantages of Baratti Bay, and those who prefer sightseeing will have a chance of visiting the Tuscan islands archipelago. Piombino is the starting point of trips to Elba, Caprais, Pianosa, Montecristo and Giglio. It is reasonable to visit the island of Giglio at the time of lily blossoming, there are so many of them here that it is called the Lilies Island.
The Tuscan Riviera is also nature parks. For example, the Rimigliano Park by San Vincenzo offers free beaches in the surroundings of the Mediterranean flora.
The Etruscan coast is a classic example of Mediterranean climate. You can enjoy the sun 270-300 days a year. The average temperature is approximately +25°Ð¡. The winter with its mild temperatures (at average it's +9 – +12°Ð¡) also attracts tourists to the Etruscan coast .
The Etruscan Riviera is the sea, natural reserves, history, art and travel. This is the life style of the Mediterranean.
