This coastal Tuscan town sits on a hilltop overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The 16th-century Fortezza Medicea and local seafood restaurants draw visitors near Elba's main port.
Located on a promontory between the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas, Piombino is a coastal town in Tuscany where you can walk through medieval streets, climb a 13th-century castle, and watch ferries sail to Elba Island from Italy's largest seaside square. From the town's stone walls, you'll see the Mediterranean stretching toward Corsica and Elba, just 10km offshore.
Walking Through Piombino's Medieval Center
Start your walk at the Torrione, a 13th-century gate and the town's oldest structure. Continue past the Rivellino, a semicircular fortification from the 1400s, to reach Corso Vittorio Emanuele. This main street contains several restaurants where you can try local seafood and Tuscan dishes. As you explore the narrow streets, you'll pass the Town Hall and Clock Tower, both dating from medieval times but restored in the 1900s.
Piazza Bovio and Sea Views
At Piazza Bovio, Italy's largest seaside square, you can walk out onto a cliff-edge terrace. From here, you'll see Elba Island's mountains rising from the sea and, when the weather is clear, the outline of Corsica. Take Viale del Popolo, a gentle uphill path along the sea walls, to reach the castle. The path gives you clear views of the Falcone promontory extending into the Mediterranean.
The Castle and Museum Complex
The castle (open 10:00-18:00, €8) dates from the 1200s, with additional fortifications added by Cosimo de' Medici in the 1550s. The Museum of the Castle and City tells the story of Piombino through archaeological finds and historical documents. You'll learn about the town's connection to Napoleon Bonaparte's sister Elisa, who governed Piombino in the early 1800s and called it her "little Paris."
Maritime Connections and Transportation
From Piombino's port, you can take ferries to Elba Island (40-60 minutes), Sardinia, or Corsica. Four companies run regular services: Corsica/Sardinia Ferries, Moby, Toremar, and BluNavy. Ticket prices start at €15 for foot passengers to Elba. Two train stations serve the town: Piombino Centrale in the center and Piombino Marittima at the port, with regular connections to Pisa and Florence.
Local Food and Wine Culture
Local restaurants specialize in seafood from Tuscan waters, particularly spider crabs, red shrimp, and local mussels. The Val di Cornia area around Piombino includes 12 small wineries producing DOC wines. Try traditional dishes at Taverna dei Boncompagni (Via Ferruccio 12) or Osteria Volturno (Via del Volturno 8), where daily menus depend on the morning's catch and seasonal ingredients.
