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Discovering Cala Violina in the Heart of the Maremma
Cala Violina, also known as the Violin Beach, is a small bay located between Follonica and Punta Ala, inside the Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve.
Surrounded by the Mediterranean maquis typical of this area, it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Maremma, and a place where one can find true relaxation.
Why is it called Cala Violina?
The beach of Cala Violina presents a peculiarity unique to these parts. The sand is characterised by quartz grains, which make this beach coarse and very light in colour.
In the seldom crowded moments, take a walk and you will discover what the name of this bay is due to.
As you step on the sand, in fact, you will notice a faint sound reminiscent of the bowing of a violin. To experience this magic for yourself, we recommend an excursion to the violin beach in early or late summer.
How do I get to Cala Violina?
How to get to Cala Violina beach is one of the most frequently asked questions. There are two ways to get there from Pappasole Camping Village: by bicycle and by car.
We recommend using a bicycle only if you are very fit, as this beach is 19 km from Pappasole Camping Village.
The safe route is along the coast, where there are 80% cycle paths. From Pappasole, you ride through the town of Follonica, along the pine forest to Puntone, and at that point you are almost at your destination.
There are two paths to reach Cala Violina beach by bicycle or car:
– the first starts at Puntone and is the most sensational in terms of views.
The macchia remains constantly on your left and accompanies you with its smells, sounds and colours. To the right, your eye is lost in the crystal-clear Tuscan sea from which various inlets peep out.
– The second access to Cala Violina is from Pian D’alma and is the one we suggest, for the convenience of the pay car park at the entrance.
Walk for 1.5 km surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and after about 30 minutes a breathtaking scenery will open up before you. After the green and brown, the typical colours of this reserve, you will be dazzled by the blue of the sky and sea.
Whichever path you choose, we advise you to wear comfortable shoes in order to make the most of the route you are about to take.
After this walk, you will be ready to fully enjoy the sea of Cala Violina, which will flash before you in its unparalleled clarity.
Do reservations need to be made for Cala Violina?
Many people wonder whether reservations are necessary for the beach or for parking.
Starting in 2021, in order to avoid crowds and to comply with Coronavirus regulations, the Scarlino municipality has decided to make the entrance to Cala Violina, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful beaches, subject to a fee.
A maximum turnout of 700 people per day has been set. In order to enforce this constraint, it will be compulsory to book access to the beach through a dedicated website.
The visit also has a daily cost per person of 2 euro, only children up to the age of 12 will enter free of charge. There will be controls at every access both for those who reach the bay on foot or by bicycle, and for those who reach it by car.
Those who go there by car must also consider the cost of parking, which is 10 euros per day.
Are there any hotels in Cala Violina?
There is a ban on free camping in Cala Violina, and being within a guarded nature reserve, it is best not to take any chances.
There is not much tourist accommodation or hotels in the immediate vicinity, but if you search for Cala Violina on Tripadvisor, a world opens up to you, although our suggestion is to sleep over.
If you want a holiday in contact with nature, you can book a farm holiday near Cala Violina.
Are there any campsites in Cala Violina?
As above, there are no campsites in the immediate vicinity, but you can reach Cala Violina by camper van to spend your day relaxing. Just arrive early in the morning and use the pay car park in Pian d’Alma.
Are there any bars in Cala Violina?
The answer is: only one. In the pine forest in front of the beach there is a kiosk that sells a bit of everything from sandwiches to water to ice cream, there is an area equipped with tables and benches, and chemical toilets.
How has Cala Violina equipped itself to fight the Covid?
The municipality of Scarlino has provided for a highly restrictive quota to allow the use of this splendid bay even in times of the Covid-19 health emergency.
In fact, during the summer of 2020, the municipality set a maximum limit on access to both the car park and the beach. The car park could accommodate a maximum of 150 vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, campers or buses, while the beach had a limit of 500 people.
In order to ensure compliance with the regulations, a surveillance plan was drawn up that envisaged the support of the Bandite di Scarlino fire-fighting team, as well as the daily passage of volunteers from the ‘Butteri dell’alta Maremma’ association.
The other bays of the Riserva delle Bandite di Scarlino
This is certainly one of the most interesting and famous bays in the Riserva delle Bandite di Scarlino, but we recommend you also venture out to discover the other bays along the path to Cala Violina.
What are these beaches?
The other beaches near Cala Violina are Cala Martina and Cala Civette. Let us discover them together.
How do I get to Cala Civetta?
Cala Civetta or Cala Civette is a wild and isolated beach. It is the southernmost bay in the reserve and is only a 1.5 km walk from Cala Violina.
It has no refreshment points and can be reached in two ways:
- by bicycle
- by parking your car in the Cala Violina car park
How to get to Cala Martina?
Cala Violina and Cala Martina are the two sisters of the Reserve. Cala Martina is the younger sister of Cala Violina. It is smaller in size and instead of having sand, is composed of gravel and rocks.
It can be reached as follows
- by bicycle directly from Puntone
- parking the car at the car park in Pian D’Alma and trekking from Cala Violina.
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