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What to see in Maremma
Around Pian di Barca and the Maremma
Surrounding Pian di Barca is the authentic Maremma, a land of open spaces, silence, strong scents and horizons changing with the light. An area to be explored at a leisurely pace, following the rhythm of nature and letting curiosity be your guide.
Surrounding Pian di Barca is the authentic Maremma, a land of open spaces, silence, strong scents and horizons changing with the light. An area to be explored at a leisurely pace, following the rhythm of nature and letting curiosity be your guide.
In this section, we share a few suggestions to help you experience the Maremma just the way you like, making the most of the area’s beauty that captivates and inspires in every season.
Simple yet meaningful experiences, able to leave a lasting impression and make you feel part of this place.
Simple yet meaningful experiences, able to leave a lasting impression and make you feel part of this place.
Maremma Natural Park (Uccellina Park)
Just a few minutes from our agriturismo lies one of Tuscany's most evocative parks: over 10,000 hectares of protected nature stretching from Principina a Mare to Alberese and on to the promontory of Talamone.
Here, the Maremma appears in its purest form: rolling hills, centuries-old olive groves, the scents of Mediterranean scrub, pine forests, wetlands, cultivated fields and long sandy beaches shaped by the wind.
The Ombrone River flows peacefully through the park to its mouth, telling stories of cowboys, work in the fields and a deep – sometimes difficult – bond between man and nature.
You can often spot deer, wild boar, foxes, birds of prey and the famous wild horses and Maremma cows grazing.
This leads to the wild beach of Marina di Alberese, where sea and sun-smoothed tree trunks lie on the sand: a poetic place that locals call “the pine tree cemetery”.
Among the most evocative routes are those leading to the ancient coastal watchtowers and the Abbey of San Rabano, which offer breathtaking views of the cliffs and the sea.
Here, the Maremma appears in its purest form: rolling hills, centuries-old olive groves, the scents of Mediterranean scrub, pine forests, wetlands, cultivated fields and long sandy beaches shaped by the wind.
The Ombrone River flows peacefully through the park to its mouth, telling stories of cowboys, work in the fields and a deep – sometimes difficult – bond between man and nature.
You can often spot deer, wild boar, foxes, birds of prey and the famous wild horses and Maremma cows grazing.
This leads to the wild beach of Marina di Alberese, where sea and sun-smoothed tree trunks lie on the sand: a poetic place that locals call “the pine tree cemetery”.
Among the most evocative routes are those leading to the ancient coastal watchtowers and the Abbey of San Rabano, which offer breathtaking views of the cliffs and the sea.
The park boasts lots of routes
- on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike;
- by canoe along the calm waters of the Ombrone;
- by bicycle, starting from the Pian di Barca cycle-pedestrian bridge towards Alberese and Bocca d'Ombrone.
Beaches and seaside resorts
The Maremma coast is home to wide, natural beaches, the ideal spot for a relaxing, authentic holiday.
On clear days, you can catch a glimpse of the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: Elba, Giglio, Montecristo and Le Formiche.
Heading north, you reach Punta Ala and Puntone di Scarlino, elegant destinations with marinas, ideal for sailing and excursions.
Don't miss Cala Violina, in the Scarlino Nature Reserve: a truly unique beach, where tiny grains of quartz emit a soft sound underfoot, like an ancient melody.
On clear days, you can catch a glimpse of the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: Elba, Giglio, Montecristo and Le Formiche.
Heading north, you reach Punta Ala and Puntone di Scarlino, elegant destinations with marinas, ideal for sailing and excursions.
Don't miss Cala Violina, in the Scarlino Nature Reserve: a truly unique beach, where tiny grains of quartz emit a soft sound underfoot, like an ancient melody.
Other beaches worth visiting
- Principina a Mare and Marina di Alberese, with dunes, wild vegetation and long, unspoilt sandy beaches.
- Marina di Grosseto, peaceful and ideal for families.
- Castiglione della Pescaia, with golden sand, crystal-clear sea and a charming medieval village surrounded by walls, overlooking the Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve, an important wetland home to flamingos and water birds.
- Rocchette, a small bay sheltered from the winds, towered over by a medieval fortress and lapped by crystal-clear green waters.
More than the sea: villages and landscapes
Heading south, the Maremma Park reaches its end in the enchanting village of Talamone, a fishing village perched on the cliffs, boasting crystal-clear waters and beaches that are ideal for snorkelling.
On the horizon stands Monte Argentario, a promontory that was once an island, connected to the mainland by the Giannella and Feniglia tombolos.
On the horizon stands Monte Argentario, a promontory that was once an island, connected to the mainland by the Giannella and Feniglia tombolos.
Must-see places
- Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, with their small harbours, fortresses and colourful houses;
- the Orbetello lagoon, an ecosystem rich in life and colour;
- Capalbio, a medieval village near the sea and the WWF Oasis of Lake Burano;
- the Tarot Garden, an amazing mix of art and nature.
Archaeological sites
The Maremma tells an ancient story.
The Park area houses prehistoric and Roman remains, while the heart of Maremma archaeology is Roselle, an ancient Etruscan and then Roman city, with cyclopean walls and monumental ruins surrounded by greenery.
The Park area houses prehistoric and Roman remains, while the heart of Maremma archaeology is Roselle, an ancient Etruscan and then Roman city, with cyclopean walls and monumental ruins surrounded by greenery.
Also worth visiting
- Vetulonia, one of the most important Etruscan cities, with monumental tombs and an archaeological museum;
- Cosa, a Roman colony overlooking the sea, with imposing city walls still standing.
- Other Etruscan towns such as Saturnia, Sovana, Pitigliano and Scansano combine archaeological heritage with the charm of medieval villages.
Thermal baths
The Maremma is also a land of thermal waters, surrounded by nature and fed by the ancient activity of Monte Amiata.
Relax among natural springs, warm waterfalls and open-air pools, where wellbeing blends with the landscape.
Relax among natural springs, warm waterfalls and open-air pools, where wellbeing blends with the landscape.
Some of the most impressive natural springs
- Terme di Petriolo, along the Farma river;
- Terme di Saturnia, with the famous Cascate del Mulino waterfalls;
- Terme di Sassetta, intimate and cosy, nestled in the woods
- Bagni San Filippo, with the white limestone formations of the Balena Bianca;
- Bagno Vignoni, a charming village with a large thermal pool in the middle of the square.
Art cities
Grosseto, the heart of the Maremma, tells a story of hard work and rebirth, preserving the Medici Walls, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and Piazza Dante.
Strolling through the historic center means discovering the authentic face of the city, among quiet alleys, local shops, and traces of an agricultural past that is still alive today.
Strolling through the historic center means discovering the authentic face of the city, among quiet alleys, local shops, and traces of an agricultural past that is still alive today.
A short distance away are some real gems
- Massa Marittima, with its Cathedral of San Cerbone and medieval atmosphere;
- Pitigliano, the ‘Little Jerusalem’, suspended on a tuff cliff.
- From Pian di Barca, it’s easy to reach major art cities such as Siena, Florence, Arezzo, Pisa and even Rome for day trips.
Activities and sports
There's no better place than the Maremma if you want to experience the area in a lively way, combining relaxation with outdoor activities. Here, every activity becomes an invitation to experience the Maremma at a leisurely pace, letting yourself be surprised by a different landscape every day.
If you love staying in shape, the area offers you
- walking and trekking;
- horse riding;
- canoeing and boat trips;
- tennis, padel and golf;
- beaches ideal for kitesurfing.