Cala Civette
Cala Civette is one of the most beautiful beaches in Tuscany and is located on the Gulf of Follonica, near Punta Ala and not far from Castiglione della Pescaia. Its characteristic is to show, even in a highly touristic context as the Tuscan coast, a wild and uncontaminated aspect.
It’s a place much loved by those who want to be captured by nature and totally immerse themselves in the element that hosts them, despite being close to the worldliness of Punta Ala. Here you will not find bars, bathing establishments, or sunbeds. The beach of Cala Civette is the favorite destination for those who want to disconnect from the ordinary tourist bustle, and enjoy the fine sand and crystal clear sea with green and blue reflections.
It's precisely its wild aspect that gives it the charm that makes it popular as one of the most “exotic” destinations of the Maremma.
The beach of Cala Civette
The sea and the beach of Cala Civette is what has made this location famous. The blue-green reflections of the water give the beach the authentic taste of the sea.
The area is very rich in fisih, and the transparency of the water allows snorkeling lovers to admire many species of fish, and every inhabitant under the surface of the water.
It's easy to see bream, seabream, but also octopuses and seahorses, not to mention starfish of all sizes.
The seabed slopes gently for tens of meters towards the open sea. This makes the coastline safe for children to swim, and live an experience in complete contact with nature. Even the timidest children can find the confidence to approach the water without danger, and see with their own eyes the inhabitants of the sea. A definitely involving experience!
We could say “not only Cala Violina”.
Why it’s called Cala Civette
At Cala Civette there are no owls, at least not during the day. This beach takes its name from a watchtower located on the promontory, erected like many others in the area, during the Renaissance period, to protect the coast from foreign incursions. On this bay, Torre Civette watched over the entire Gulf of Follonica, and from its strategic position was an important outpost for the defense of the coast.
The construction of this typically military tower with a square base now looks very different from how it was originally, due to several changes over the years. Today it looks much more residential than a villa, and in fact is privately owned and cannot be visited.
How to get to Cala Civette
The beach of Cala Civette can be reached by several paths that can be traveled on foot or by bicycle. The most romantic ones can reach it on horseback thanks to the excursions organized by several holiday farms in the area. The entire route of the Costiere area is very scenic, and it’s worth making an excursion just to see the views it offers.
One route starts from Puntone di Scarlino, also known as Terra Rossa, and is 5 km long.
A second path starts from the parking lot of Val Martina di Pian d’Alma, and is 2.5 km long. This parking lot is located at 10 km of the Provinciale delle Collacchie della Toscana.
The parking lots in the area in summer are all paid, and it’s better to book, because there aren’t many places. We do not recommend parking along the roads because fines are distributed generously.
The cost of daily parking, whatever time you arrive and depart, is 10 euros for cars, and 30 euros for campers.
The least expensive parking lot is that of the Porto Turistico del Puntone, in Viale Garibaldi. The cost is 50 cents per hour, but even here the places are not many, and you have to go early to find parking.
Not only fine sandy beaches
The Nature Reserve has many surprises in store for those who have the patience to wait in silence to see, and perhaps photograph, the animals in the area. Many species of migratory birds pass through this area known to those who practice birdwatching, and maybe you can also happen to make some particular close encounters.
Other features of Cala Civette
In addition to the sea, Cala Civette offers other points of interest for which it would be worth a visit.
Near the beach is the Etruscan necropolis of Poggio Tondo – an archaeological excavation of international interest. You can visit several tombs and funeral buildings dating back to the seventh century BC. The buildings are in a good state of preservation, and walking the streets and treading the steps that have seen so much history is a very impressive experience.
Cala Civette Map
