An ancient fortress overlooks Talamone, a breezy town set on a peninsula between the Uccellina Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The town is a hidden gem and has an off-the-beaten-track feel. You can bask on sandy beaches, get lost in the narrow streets of the town centre and explore one of the most beautiful natural parks in Tuscany.
Things to do in Talamone
Beautiful sandy beaches fringed by lush pine forests make Talamone one of the top seaside destinations in Tuscany. Water sports like windsurfing, sailing and kitesurfing are fuelled by strong sea breezes that blow through the Bay of Talamone. Just south of Talamone is Porto Santo Stefano, another picturesque seaside village. You can ride the ferry to Giglio, a mountainous island set within Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
The historic town centre hasn’t changed in centuries and features cobbled streets lined with traditional stone houses. Many have been reimagined as Italian-style “osterias” serving wine, pasta and seafood. The cafes and restaurants clustered around the main square are perfect for enjoying a morning coffee or sunset “aperitivo” hour.
Aldobrandeschi Fortress was built by a powerful Florentine family in the 13th century and towers over Talamone. Enjoy a picnic in the grass-covered grounds and climb up to the ramparts for spectacular views over the town centre and the sparkling blue Tyrrhenian Sea.
Maremma Natural Park protects roughly 9,000 hectares of pristine coastal and mountain landscapes. Hiking trails wind through the park and take you deep into the Uccellina Mountains, past ancient ruins and a centuries-old Cistercian abbey. Other trails skirt a 25-kilometres stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea and showcase sandy beaches, rugged sea cliffs and coastal marshlands.
Getting around Talamone
Talamone is compact and easy to get around on foot. The town is located in Maremma, a 30-minute drive from Grosseto and two hours from Florence. Local buses connect Talamone with train stations in Grosseto and Orbetello Monte Argentario.