Our tourist season, when the beach resorts are open, generally runs from mid-May to around September 20th. During this period it is advisable for dog owners to visit only the “Bau Beaches” (dog-friendly beaches) or beaches that allow dogs, avoiding potential issues with local authorities and fines.
Outside of the tourist season, dogs are generally well-tolerated on beaches. However, we still recommend avoiding beaches directly behind urbanized areas. Luckily, our coastline has many beautiful beaches located within natural parks, backed by magical pine forests or large meadows.
It’s advisable to bring your pet’s health certifications – some Bau Beaches specifically require it. And of course, always remember to clean up after your dog!
For beaches with amenities, especially in July and August, booking umbrellas and sunbeds in advance (by phone or online) is highly recommended. There are also stunning free beaches (without beach establishments), but parking is almost always paid in high season, and like all the others they can get quite crowded in July and August.
Here is a list of some beaches that are worth a visit.
15 mins: Vada, White Beaches
free beach, Bau Beach (max two dogs per person)
The White Beaches of Vada are very famous because the sand is white and the water is light blue, like the Caribbean. But, in truth, the sand isn’t naturally white. It’s due to limestone residue discharged into the sea by Solvay, a long-standing manufacturer of sodium bicarbonate. The company assures – though opinions vary – that it’s a natural, inert, and non-toxic material that even helps stabilize the coastline against erosion. Competent authorities regularly monitor the beach and water quality, which have been enjoyed by tourists and locals for over a century. Personally, we don’t particularly love these beaches, mainly because the seawater, though fascinating from afar, takes on a milky color up close that isn’t very appealing to us. However, we’ve had guests who were absolutely thrilled with their visit!
https://goo.gl/maps/VdDxDVQnXBL9jpZv8
15 mins: Castiglioncello, Bagni Etruria
equipped beach, little and medium sized dogs are welcome
Castiglioncello is one of the prettiest towns on the coast. Originally a fishing village, it became an extremely popular seaside resort in the second half of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, it became a sought-after destination for wealthy families who made it beautiful by building some of the finest Art Nouveau villas in all of Tuscany, most of which have now been transformed into hotels and restaurants. In the 1960s, it was a meeting place for famous VIPs, including all the most celebrated actors from Cinecittà, who brought the famous Roman “dolce vita” here.
The town has a pleasant, entirely pedestrianized promenade by the sea, with bars and restaurants. There are many well-equipped beaches, but very little sand, as the coast is mostly rocky, though made comfortable and accessible with platforms almost everywhere. This makes the water some of the clearest and most crystalline, never clouded by sand. We don’t recommend the small stretches of free beach, as the rocks can make getting into the sea difficult.
Bagni Etruria is our favorite resort, also because it’s very close to Il Coccodrillo Restaurant, which also serves nice quick takeaway dishes (including delicious fried fish) to enjoy at your umbrella. The owners love animals, so small to medium-sized dogs are welcome; larger dogs aren’t, due to space limitations (proximity between umbrellas). We strongly recommend calling or writing a WhatsApp to find out if they have space.
+39 328 9342752 (Fabio)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WksqzLqJsdwyxkGFA
25 mins driving South: Natural Park Tomboli di Cecina
free beach, Bau Beach (max two dogs per person)
A nice beach without equipment (meaning no sunbeds and umbrellas), with a big, lovely pine forest along the beach. Two marked and delimited sections of this beach are non-equipped Bau Beaches.
parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/jse2dDRRMC2ZsHp2A
Bau Beach:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yASNmJZhoa8tWY259
30 mins driving South: Marina di Castagneto, Bagni La Zattera
equipped beach
Nice beach completely equipped, also with bar and restaurant. The bar has a nice terrace perfect to enjoy a good aperitif looking at the wonderful sunset on this coast…
+39 0565 745000
https://goo.gl/maps/isk8CurXwXDWSTpa6
40 mins driving South: San Vincenzo
Bau Beach (with equipment for humans and dogs)
Driving South from Marina di Castagneto there is a long, very beautiful beach up to San Vincenzo and beyond, with a lot of beach resorts but, going out of town, also magnificent free beaches. Here you can also find a Bau Beach with equipment for humans and dogs. It has recently changed management, passing from private to municipal administration, and since then we have not had customers who have gone there. We hope that the place has not worsened, as often happens when things go from private to public!
+39 393 3384970
www.baubeach.eu
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iyV5GoxgBt8gMtgE7
40 mins driving South: Rimigliano Natural Park
free beach, Bau Beach
Driving South from San Vincenzo just a few minutes you will find the beach of the Rimigliano Natural Park. You will park on the main road and then you’ll reach the sea walking across a really magic forest. Here dogs are allowed: in the beach you should always keep your four-legged friend on a leash, but if you go a bit faraway from the lifeguard and he/she doesn’t escape from you noone will complain even if he/she is free.
https://goo.gl/maps/FXWeGEYmLHS7m9kt6
45 mins driving South: Baratti Gulf
equipped and free beach, Bau Beach
Super beautiful bay in the middle of an archaeological and natural park (see the section natural, archaeological and mining parks” in this website), with water clean and normally flat. Dogs, theoretically on a leash, are allowed. If you park in the second parking you have a little bar for also lunch and aperitif by the beach and, only if you wish to have them, sunbeds and umbrella. This place really deserve to be visited. Following the road in the direction of the end of the gulf there is a nice woody bar with tables in the shadow to have some nice Tuscany snacks and little dishes plus really good wines, and over the gulf, reachable with the road that begins at the end of the bay, don’t miss the beautiful medieval village of Populonia, with an unbelievable view on the Tuscan archipelago, little shops, restaurants and bars plus a Castle…
https://goo.gl/maps/1JjzgyYKXh9eJck19
40 mins driving North: San Rossore Natural Park, Single Fin Tuscany Dog Beach
Bau Beach (with equipment for humans and dogs)
This “super-equipped” Bau Beach located within the San Rossore Natural Park truly puts dogs at the center. Everything is designed to make them feel good together with their owners. The website is well done and very clear regarding services and rules to follow for a good coexistence among all four-legged friends.
+39 329 2144222
www.singlefintuscany.com
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CncUwNE1SX3AHPQKA
