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Art cities and day trips near Hotel Marinetta

Florence, Siena, Volterra and more: day trips and activities on the Etruscan Coast. Wine tours, trekking, beaches and art cities await.

Park Hotel Marinetta in Marina di Bibbona is the perfect base for exploring some of the most beautiful art cities, landscapes and experiences in Tuscany. Here is a guide to the best day trips and activities within easy reach of the hotel.

Art cities within a day trip

One of the great advantages of staying on the Etruscan Coast is its central position on the Tyrrhenian side of Tuscany: several of Italy’s most celebrated art cities are reachable in under two hours by car, making them ideal destinations for a day trip while keeping the beach and the hotel as your comfortable base.

Florence

The cradle of the Renaissance and one of the world’s great art cities, Florence is approximately 140 km from Marina di Bibbona, about 1 hour 50 minutes by car. A single day is enough to visit the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo and its Baptistery, Ponte Vecchio and the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For those travelling without a car, Florence is reachable by train via Cecina or Livorno.

Pisa

Famous worldwide for its Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa is approximately 70 km from Marina di Bibbona, about 1 hour by car. The Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery form one of the most iconic architectural ensembles in Italy. The city centre is compact and easily explored on foot in half a day, leaving time for lunch and a return to the coast by evening. Pisa is also the closest major airport to the hotel, making it a natural first or last stop on your trip.

Siena

A medieval masterpiece set in the rolling hills of the Crete Senesi, Siena is approximately 120 km from Marina di Bibbona, about 1 hour 50 minutes by car. The Piazza del Campo, the Cathedral and the Palazzo Pubblico are among the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Italy. Siena is best visited outside the peak summer months to enjoy it at a relaxed pace.

Volterra

One of Tuscany’s most fascinating and least crowded art cities, Volterra is approximately 50 km from Marina di Bibbona, about 50 minutes by car. Perched on a dramatic hilltop, it combines Etruscan, Roman and medieval history in a setting of extraordinary beauty. The Etruscan Museum, the Roman theatre and the alabaster workshops of the old town make it a richly rewarding half-day or full-day trip. Its proximity to the hotel makes it an excellent choice for a relaxed morning excursion.

Lucca

Lucca is one of Tuscany’s best-preserved walled cities, with a remarkably intact Renaissance ring of walls that can be walked or cycled in their entirety. Approximately 100 km from Marina di Bibbona, about 1 hour by car, it offers a quieter and more intimate alternative to Florence or Siena. The city is particularly pleasant in spring and autumn.

San Gimignano

Known as the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” for its famous medieval towers, San Gimignano is approximately 80 km from Marina di Bibbona, about 1 hour 30 minutes by car. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is best visited early in the morning to beat the crowds. The white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano is one of Italy’s most celebrated DOC wines and pairs beautifully with a lunch in the town.

The Etruscan Coast: attractions and activities nearby

Beyond the day trips to art cities, the area immediately surrounding Marina di Bibbona offers a wealth of activities and experiences that can fill an entire holiday on their own.

The medieval village of Bolgheri, just 15 minutes from the hotel, is the starting point for winery tours at some of Italy’s most celebrated estates. The coastal pinewood, the hills of the Macchia della Magona and the countryside around Castagneto Carducci offer excellent routes for trekking, cycling and horseback riding at every level.

The ports of the Etruscan Coast are the gateway to the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, reachable by sailboat or motorboat for a day of swimming and exploration. Underwater, the clear Tyrrhenian waters hide wrecks, posidonia meadows and rich marine biodiversity ideal for diving.

And for those who prefer to stay on land, the protected natural parks of the Val di Cornia and the WWF Oasis of Bolgheri reward a morning’s visit with landscapes and wildlife found nowhere else on the Tuscan coast.

The hotel’s local expert service has curated several experiences in the area. Ask at reception or contact us directly to plan the perfect day out.

→ Discover all experiences

The Fort of Marina di Bibbona and local history

Marina di Bibbona itself has a history worth exploring. The Forte di Marina di Bibbona, a coastal watchtower of Medici origin, stands at the northern end of the beach and is one of the most visible historical landmarks in the area. Built as part of the system of coastal defence towers erected by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany to monitor the Tyrrhenian coast, it now stands surrounded by the natural scrubland of the Etruscan Coast, and makes for a pleasant short walk from the hotel along the beach.

The inland village of Bibbona itself, a few kilometres from the coast, is a quiet medieval village with a charming historic centre, a small church and panoramic views over the surrounding vineyards and hills.