Follonica is a proper seaside town on Tuscany's Maremma coast, sitting on a wide bay with views across to Elba. Unlike many Tuscan coastal settlements, it's a year-round working town rather than a seasonal resort, which means it has real infrastructure: supermarkets, a cinema, a hospital, and restaurants that stay open in January. The beach is long and sandy, the water clean, and the pine-backed promenade is good for evening walks. It won't win any beauty contests, but as a practical, affordable base for a beach-and-countryside holiday, it delivers.
Why Stay in Follonica
- Long sandy beach — the bay stretches for several kilometres, with both free sections and organised beach clubs. The water is shallow and calm, good for families.
- Full town services — this is a real town. Supermarkets, medical facilities, banks, and a wide restaurant selection mean you're not dependent on a car for daily needs.
- Affordable Maremma base, prices here are lower than at the more fashionable Castiglione della Pescaia or Punta Ala, just up the coast.
- Honest caveat. Follonica's architecture is modern and unexceptional. If you want a romantic medieval setting, look elsewhere. The town is functional, not atmospheric.
Things to Do in Follonica
The beach is the main attraction. Pratoranieri, at the eastern end, has a good stretch of free sand backed by pine woods. The town beach has numerous stabilimenti where a sunbed, umbrella, and changing facilities cost a few euros per day.
For a more scenic swim, drive 20 minutes south to Cala Violina, a crescent-shaped cove reached by a 20-minute walk through Mediterranean scrub. It's one of the best beaches in Tuscany, but arrive early in summer as it fills by mid-morning and parking is limited.
The Maremma Natural Park (Parco della Maremma) is about 40 minutes south. Guided walks through the park's coastal dunes, pine forests, and marshes offer good wildlife spotting (wild boar, deer, and occasional flamingos in the wetlands).
Massa Marittima, a medieval hill town about 20 minutes inland, makes a satisfying half-day trip for its cathedral and steep stone lanes. It's a useful antidote to too many beach days.