Italy is famous for its abundant sunshine that, together with the magic of the country’s blessed earth, brings about all its fantastic wine, epic agricultural products, and fabulously-tanned citizens.
If you’ve ever been to Italy in summer, you know that the sun and heat can be molto intenso. In June, July, and August, cities such as Rome and Florence are a sauna, and any place in Sicily… well, step into the oven, my friends!
Now that summer is here and tourism is going full-tilt in Italy, we figured a little discussion about ways to beat the heat might be timely. And what better way to cool off and clean up than with water?
If you’re coming on a cruise ship that docks in Livorno or Civitavecchia, or if you’re vacationing in Rome or in central/southern Tuscany, this edition will give you a few ideas about where to find awesome beaches and thermal springs.
The Italian Seaside: A Spectacular Summer Scene
Italians love the seaside. When your country is overflowing with glorious beaches, it only stands to reason.
All those spectacular beaches are attributable to the country’s 7,900 kilometers (4,900 miles) of coastline and the fact that Italy sits in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Well, to most tourists it sits in the Mediterranean Sea, but Italians refer to its surrounding bodies of water in a more specific fashion.
On the western coast of Italy are the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas, and to the east is the Adriatic. Off the southern shores of the mainland and the eastern coast of Sicily is the Ionian. With all these different bodies of water and a vast stretch of ever-changing coastline, there is no end to the flavour combinations of surf and turf in Italy.
In summer, particularly in July and August, the Italian seaside has a unique party vibe of national proportions. Shops and offices close for most of the afternoon so that everyone can soak up the sun and then cool off in the water.
To follow are two beaches to remember when holidaying in Rome or Tuscany. The first is a sandy beach south of Rome. The second is an unusual seaside spot on the Tuscan coast, perfect if you'll be coming to Italy on a cruise that docks in Livorno or staying in central Tuscany.
Beaches in Rome or Vicinity: Sabaudia
If you’re vacationing in Rome or in the region of Lazio to the south of the capital, you’ll want to make a mental note about Sabaudia. Located about seventy-five minutes south of Rome, the golden-sand beach at Sabaudia is a long stretch of tranquil coastline dotted with umbrellas and lounge chairs. With its turquoise water, numerous bathing establishments (called bagni in Italian, which literally means “baths”), restaurants, and services, Sabaudia is ideal for families and a great place to escape the heat of Rome.
DriverInRome offers a day trip to the sandy beach at Sabaudia from Rome.
Beaches in Livorno, Tuscany: Calafuria
We’ve chosen Calafuria as our seaside pick in Tuscany because so many of our clients come to Italy by cruise ship. For those docking in Livorno, Calafuria is a convenient (and gorgeous) place to enjoy the sea. It’s also not far from Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and many other places in central Tuscany.
If you want to see some amazing coastline, Calafuria is something special along the Tuscan coast. At Calafuria we don’t have a beach; we have the scogliera. This is a word that’s difficult to translate into English and a thing that’s hard to describe with words (so we’ve put a photo of it in the featured-image spot of this post). The scogliera is a sort of giant sheet of rock that descends into the sea, like a cliff but at a gentler slope, painting a beautiful, almost lunar-landscape picture as it undulates and then sinks into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The nifty thing about the scogliera is that it’s way cooler and way cleaner than sand!
On the scogliera at Calafuria, you will find a true Italian summer scene: the sparking sea, brightly-coloured umbrellas, families picnicking, groups of friends lounging and talking animatedly in the water, daredevils jumping off rocks, children squealing in delight, and a whole lotta Speedos.
Thermal Springs in Italy: A Brief History
The Italian tradition of enjoying thermal springs goes back thousands of years. These geothermal wonders are scattered all throughout the country. Hot springs in Italy have captivated locals and visitors throughout the ages, providing a distinctive environment for relaxation, healing, and social gathering.
The Etruscans — the sophisticated civilization that preceded Ancient Rome, from about the 8th to the 3rd Centuries BC — recognized the therapeutic benefits of thermal waters and were the first to harness and utilize the waters for both social and medicinal purposes. With their advanced knowledge of engineering and urban planning, the Etruscans built bathing facilities that would become a model for the Roman baths. Some of these, such as Caledario and Saturnia, are still in use today.
In true Ancient Roman style, the Romans took the thermal spring experience to the next level, constructing elaborate bathing complexes that served as centers of socialization as well as rejuvenation. In Rome today, the ruins of the colossal Baths of Diocletian still attract visitors and bear witness to the magnificence of the Roman baths, two thousand years later.
Thermal Springs in Tuscany: Saturnia
Saturnia, located about 75 minutes north of the port of Civitavecchia, is renowned for its one-of-a-kind thermal springs. Nestled in the lush greenery of the Tuscan countryside, the mineral-rich waters and natural setting of Saturnia have captivated folks for literally thousands of years with their restorative properties and enchanting environs.
Emerging from the earth in an intensely-gushing torrent and flowing down a series of cascading terraces, the water settles into pools of varying temperatures where bathers can serenely soak, float, and chat. (For a pummelling water massage, stay near the top where the water arrives at full force.) Saturnia has developed into a well-appointed spa destination, offering various amenities and wellness treatments to enhance visitors' enjoyment.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation and healing or an extraordinary experience in nature, the thermal springs of Saturnia offer visitors a serene and rejuvenating escape from the noise and heat of Italian summer in the city.
DriverInRome would be pleased to chauffeur you around Tuscany (or anywhere in Italy) with a private car and driver. Excursions can start from a cruise port, train station, or point on land. Please contact us regarding popular or custom itineraries.
