Beaches

JMFell

Well-known member
Good Day,

Could anyone recommend a beach to drive to from Castellina in Chianti in September? Maybe someplace where we could incorporate a stop in Pisa on the way.... Thanks in advance,

Joe
 
Ciao Joe,

From Castellina to Pisa you need about two hours for the drive because I recommend following the internal road (SS429) which is much more scenic than the autostrada - and seeing as you're interested in stopping and taking photographs, then there is really no question about taking any other road.

From Pisa, the closest beaches from there are: Marina di Pisa, Tirrenia and Calambrone but likely the more popular ones are a bit to the north in the Versilia: Viareggio, Camaiore, Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi.
These are all Blue Flag beaches which means that they maintain really high strict encironmental standards and have received this recognition by an international non-profit NGO. The ones in Versilia are really organized establishments, with rented sun chairs and umbrellas and lots of restaurants, bars and shops nearby. The ones closer to Pisa are like that right around the main entrance near the hotels, but as you walk away from there you'll also find more "public" areas where you can set down your own beach towel.

If you have the extra day from skipping Venice, I recommend taking this road toward the coast cutting Tuscany west of Castellina, also about a two hour drive to reach the coast. You pass by Colle Val d'Elsa - a small medieval beauty - stop and take some photographs. Continue on to Volterra... the drive is pleasant and the landscapes beautiful, the medieval village atop of a hill also stunning. If you have time, or as an alternate to heading to the beaches near Pisa, you can continue on to the coast again, the beaches at Cecina and Bibbona are also very nice and sandy.
 
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