If you haven’t noticed by now, 2 Cups of Travel love finding hidden gems, local regions, and places a bit off the ‘tourist path’. Castiglione della Pescaia is one such place that fits the ‘2 Cups of Travel’ brief. A small historic town rises on the hill above a sandy strip of beach. A multitude of beach bars line the sand, with a plethora of colourful umbrellas and beach chairs to hire. The main street of the old town is busy, filled with bakeries, restaurants and wine bars. The harbour is home to fishing boats and upmarket yachts. And the promenade offers great views no matter which direction you walk. Castiglione gives off slightly upmarket vibes, but at a price-tag a fraction of what you’d pay in Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast.
The best bits of Castiglione della Pescaia
When the sun comes out, the beaches are packed with locals and Italians enjoy the vibe. Located in the heart of the Tuscan coastline between Pisa and Grossetto, this seaside town give of real ‘local vibes’. Most of the ‘tourists’ in the town are Italians, and this is reinforced by the fact most of those working in the bars, cafes and restaurants speak little to no English. While this may be off-putting to some.. we love it!
Castiglione della Pescaia represents the perfect place to slow down, relax, unwind, and enjoy an underrated part of Italy’s coastline. Don’t expect Sicilian clear water, or Positano views.. however you will get friendly locals, budget friendly options, and a great ‘local feel’ vibe.
Below are a few recommendations of where to eat in Castiglione della Pescaia. This list isn’t exhaustive, but are some top spots we visited during the 4 day stay!
- Nice option: Posto Pubblico Dei F.lli Cech – Situated at the base of the fortress under hanging lights, this is the place for a nice dinner. Book in advance. It’s highly rated and a beautiful setting.
- Pizza at ‘Pizza & Birra Anima Maremmana’: This is a top spot for pizza in the heart of town. For 2-3 euros a generous slice, this is a place we returned to multiple times. The mortadella and Pistacia pizza was a particular favourite!
- Cheap Local Food: The TOP PICK would definitely be Rosticceria Trattoria La Volpe Ghiotta. Located 5 minutes from the heart of town, or right by the beach, this place is popular with the locals for lunch and dinner. Offering ‘home cooked’ style food for take-away, it’s the perfect spot to grab some food and take town the beach or each in the square.
- Ice cream – Get specialty gelato at Cremeria Corradini! This serves authentic gelato and is definitely the best in town.
Where to stay in Castiglione della Pascaia?
- Apartment by the sea – this is where we stayed and is the perfect location on the edge of the town. Great host.
- Nice option in the heart of town – a great choice for those wanting perfect location, hotel amenities, and a stay right near in the old town and near the beach.
- A gorgeous guesthouse – situated in the winding streets of the old town, this is another excellent option.
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