Castiglioncello

Coastal landscape, coves and a unique cultural destination

Castiglioncello lies on a green promontory that extends into the Tyrrhenian Sea. This creates a destination where coastal landscapes, bathing spots and cultural history are closely connected. Baia del Quercetano has a sandy beach between two cliffs. There, Bagni Quercetano offers an equipped beach with parasols and sun loungers, two sun terraces and two wooden platforms by the sea. Another side of the coast is represented by Le Forbici: the small pebble cove lies amid Mediterranean maquis and is characterised by clear, crystal-clear water. Le Forbici also has a bathing establishment with a saltwater pool directly above the sea. If you would like to compare different coastal landscapes during your stay, you therefore have a sandy beach between cliffs and a smaller pebble cove with its own bathing facility as clearly distinct places to choose from.

From the coastal path to the seabeds

The coastal path from Rosignano Solvay to Castiglioncello is 6 kilometres long. From the marina, a level route runs along the beaches and reaches Castiglioncello in about 20 minutes on foot. The coastal stretch also has a distinctive character below the surface of the water. The seabeds off Castiglioncello feature a coral reef or coralligenous habitat associated with marine biodiversity. Along the further coastal stretch between Chioma and Castiglioncello, the species-rich seabeds attract many snorkelling and diving enthusiasts.

Archaeology, painting and historic buildings

The history of the town goes back a long way. Excavations in large parts of the present-day centre uncovered more than 300 tombs dating from between the end of the 4th and the beginning of the 1st century BC. Selected finds from this necropolis are displayed at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Castiglioncello. They include an alabaster urn from the 2nd century BC that contained the ashes of Velia Cerinei. The museum was built in 1914 in the form of a Hellenistic temple. Castiglioncello is also associated with 19th-century Italian painting. Telemaco Signorini, Giuseppe Abbati, Odoardo Borrani, Raffaello Sernesi and Giovanni Fattori spent extended periods here between 1861 and 1870. They depicted the area’s original and wild natural landscape. This connection between landscape and art also makes the town interesting for you if you would like to combine a coastal stay with cultural and historical impressions. On the promontory, Cosimo de’ Medici built a tower for maritime defence in the 16th century, which was manned by a small garrison. Opposite it, a chapel dedicated to Saint Andrew was built for the soldiers and the few inhabitants of the surrounding area. Castello Pasquini dates from 1889. It is owned by the municipality of Rosignano and is home to the cultural association Armunia, which promotes theatre, dance and cultural activities in the region.

Festivals, film history and getting around

Some scenes from the film Il Sorpasso by Dino Risi were filmed between the marina of Castiglioncello and Calafuria. The historic Festa del Pesce takes place every year in June in Castiglioncello; in spring, the Foodies Festival is also held in Castiglioncello and the neighbouring districts. To reach the area, buses operated by Autolinee Toscane from Livorno and other coastal towns in the province stop at Piazza della Vittoria or at Castiglioncello railway station.

Discover more destinations: Gabbro, Acquabona, Rosignano Solvay, Mazzanta, Vada, Nibbiaia

To the higher-level travel overview: Rosignano Marittimo.