Buca delle Fate

Buca delle Fate is located in Baratti, in the gulf of the same name in the heart of Tuscany. The name can be confusing, as there are several places in Tuscany called “Buca delle Fate” — in Valdarno, Arezzo, Pisa, and Pienza — but none of them are related to this one, which lies along the Etruscan Coast.

This bay is nestled between two headlands — Populonia and Piombino — and can only be reached in two ways: on foot or by boat.

As for the walking trail, there are two main routes: one longer and one shorter.

The longer route starts from Piombino, precisely from Calamoresca, and stretches for 16 kilometers — a beautiful hike recommended for true trekking and nature lovers. The shorter but equally scenic route begins in Populonia and is about 3.5 kilometers long.

This is the question that some people ask themselves once they discover that reaching the bay requires a bit of walking. It’s perfectly understandable, especially during the hot summer days when the desire to walk can fade. In that case, the solution is definitely to settle on Baratti Beach. Fine, dark sand due to the iron deposits still present in the soil, crystal-clear sea, and behind it, a unique pine forest renowned worldwide.

Populonia and Baratti are often thought of as the same place, but this is not the case. It is possible to park in Baratti to reach Buca delle Fate, but the walk will be a bit longer. We recommend arriving early in the morning to secure a spot in the small Populonia parking lot, from where the shortest trail starts.

Buca delle Fate is a very special place, far from the well-known beaches along this part of the upper Maremma coast.

The beach has coarse sand, made up of pebbles and stones and surrounded by cliffs rising above the bluest sea imaginable. The shape of these large rocks is so unique that it immediately catches the eye, enhanced by their color reflecting the sunlight, in striking contrast with the blue of the sea and the sky. The bizarre shapes of the rocks are the result of the constant work of the sea and wind along this stretch of coast. You will be captivated by the wonder that Mother Nature has created in this enchanted place.

It’s a question many ask, and rightly so, since the name itself evokes a forgotten legendary story, perhaps, but always captivating.

Long ago, it is said that many fishermen approached this bay, enchanted by what they saw. Every day, before their eyes, a fleeting spectacle appeared, lasting only a few seconds, making them feel as if they were dreaming. They saw mermaids, seahorses, and dolphins playing joyfully, and they told their villages all about it.

A young man particularly intrigued by these stories, Valerio, decided to see for himself if what was told was true. During his journey, however, the boat he was traveling in capsized, and he found himself in a paradisiacal place filled with seaweed and corals, inhabited by very young mermaids playing cheerfully. His girlfriend, seeing him not return, went in search of him and, in her despair, began to cry by the sea. Every tear turned into a pearl when it touched a dolphin that had come to comfort her. A mermaid saw these precious pearls and asked the dolphin if she could have them. At that moment, the dolphin proposed a trade: he would give the pearls to the mermaid if she freed the young fisherman.

The young man was finally freed, and a grand celebration was organized to commemorate the event.