Scarlino: Coast, Wetland and History

Scarlino between Coast, Wetland and History

Scarlino offers several travel themes: coast, wetland, mountain landscape and traces of mining. Cala Martina, the Padule di Scarlino, the Rocca Pisana and Terra Rossa each set a different tone. The town walls were built from the 11th century onwards below the Rocca Pisana.

Paths through Coast and Wetland

Cala Martina can mainly be reached by sea or on foot or by bicycle via the Via delle Costiere. In the Padule di Scarlino, footbridges and developed paths enable independent walks through the wetland. In January 2026, the formal recognition of the Padule di Scarlino as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar List was completed. Cala Violina is a beach in the area around Scarlino.

Terra Rossa and Scarlino's Local History

Terra Rossa also makes the area's history tangible: ore storage silos, the loading gallery and the industrial areas of the former mining terminal preserve the structural traces of this use. From 1911 to 1968, mining cableways transported pyrite extracted from the mines to the port terminal at Terra Rossa; there, it was loaded into the holds of merchant ships. The short route from Portiglioni–Puntone to Terra Rossa initially follows the Lungomare Giuseppe Garibaldi waterfront road and then, after approximately 300 metres, continues along an unpaved road.

Scarlino has three gates: the Porta a mare, also known as Porta pisana; the Porta della fonte, also known as Porta senese; and a gate opened in the 19th century at the instigation of Elisa Baciocchi. This connected the town with Puntone and no longer survives today. The Church of San Martino in Scarlino was built in the 13th century, rebuilt in the neo-Romanesque style in 1759 and extended in the mid-20th century.

Rocca Pisana, Mountains and Museums

The Rocca Pisana rises above Scarlino and survives as the restored ruins of the Aldobrandeschi castle. The Rocca Pisana is also a fort in the immediate vicinity of Scarlino. The Riccardo Francovich Territory Documentation Center displays archaeological finds that trace the history of the Rocca di Scarlino hill from the Bronze Age to the 17th century. In this way, views of the structure are linked with a long historical span that you can explore during a cultural stay in Scarlino.

The Monte d'Alma and Monte di Stella, both mountains, and Monte di Muro, a peak, are located in the immediate vicinity of Scarlino. Portus Scabris is a museum in the area around Scarlino. The MAGMA Museo delle Arti in Ghisa della Maremma and the Museo di Storia Naturale are also located there; both are museums. This allows nature, landscape and culture to be considered as different focal points.

When choosing your accommodation, you can use these themes as practical guidance: A holiday apartment or holiday home in Scarlino raises the question of whether your days should focus more on the route to Cala Martina, walks in the Padule di Scarlino, local history or the museums in the surrounding area. The specific decision remains yours; what matters is which combination of coast, nature and culture you prefer for your stay.

For further orientation around the area, you can also include Scarlino Scalo and Il Casone.

For the overarching travel overview: Grosseto.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Capalbio, Le Rocchette, Casone, Salaiola, Isola Del Giglio.