Baratti

Baratti is a small village nestled in a bay at the north end of the Gulf of Follonica, protected by the promontory dominated by Populonia. Baratti is one of those places that you don’t expect to be so pleasant.

The small center of Baratti consists of a few houses and, slightly displaced, there is a small marina with a rather shallow seabed, which allows only small boats to dock.

The beach of Baratti
 

This stretch of sea is located near the village of the same name, and has some peculiarities that make this place really special.

As intimate as it is suggestive, the beach of Baratti is an inlet of the coastal Maremma, which borders the beautiful Etruscan Coast, with rocky walls overlooking the sea wedged in its crystal-clear waters, formed by the salt and the wind, and sweetened by the gentle song of the sirens. But it also offers a large beach of light-coloured sand that gently descends into the sea with its transparent waters.

This little hidden paradise, full of charm and history, is located at the foot of the hill of the ancient village of Populonia, and administratively is a fraction of the municipality of Piombino, just under an hour drive from Punta Ala.

The Etruscans in Baratti

Just overlooking Baratti there is a piece of history that bears the Etruscan signature: the road that runs along the hill meets several areas of historical interest, such as the underground chamber tombs of a necropolis built between the third and second century BC. Continuing, the wood gives way to shrubs, and immediately – to breath-taking views of the sea and the coast.

The spectacle of the beach below Baratti offers sublime landscapes, accompanied by the whispering of the waves of the sea or, perhaps, of its sirens in the shadow of the necropolis.

The Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia

The promontory of Populonia, overlooking the beach of Baratti, is home to the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia, an area rich in nature and history. Here the Etruscan civilization has prospered for centuries, and have left traces in the archaeological park. All this must be preserved to protect the future of this heritage.

The archaeological park of Baratti and Populonia is located within the municipality of Piombino, in the province of Livorno. Its surface extends on the gulf of Baratti, and is part of the complex of the Parks of Val Cornia.

It contains one of the areas of greatest archaeological value in Italy, with the remains of the only Etruscan settlement on the sea, and several necropolises.
 

How to get to Baratti

You do not pass by Baratti by chance. Moved away from the main road arteries, to get there you must follow these indications:

For those arriving from the North from the Variante Aurelia SS1 in the direction of Grosseto, exit at San Vincenzo Nord in the direction of Piombino. On the SP39 Via Aurelia Nord, after crossing San Vincenzo, on the SP23 Via della Principessa, after about 10 km turn right at the traffic circle for Baratti.

Or, after San Vincenzo, follow for Venturina, after which there is a tree-lined road on the right with a sign for Baratti.

Arriving from the south thrugh the Aurelia SS1 in the direction of Livorno, near Venturina follow the signs for Piombino – Isola D’Elba.

Continue on the SS398, and then on the SP23bis, and after about 4 km after Fiorentina, turn left at the traffic circle for Baratti.

The port of Baratti
 

A walk along the waterfront on the harbour will make you discover the charm of this place that has nothing to envy to the most famous towns of the French Riviera. Among the many ports of Tuscany, this area near Piombino will become one of your favourite destinations, where you can go shopping or eat in one of the many restaurants directly on the sea.

Naturalistic areas
 

The promontory overlooking the gulf is also rich in nature trails and hiking, also suitable to enjoy the beautiful beach overlooking the gulf. An excursion to the beach of Baratti can give you the chance to enjoy the naturalistic peculiarities, discover the ancient history of the archaeological park of Baratti, without forgetting the beautiful beach with transparent sea. 

Piombino

Piombino is the main centre of the Val di Cornia, the hilly territory of the hinterland that reaches the Colline Metallifere of Grosseto. Piombino is also the centre of the promontory where Populonia and the Gulf of Baratti are located.

Map of Baratti