Follonica
Follonica is a town in the province of Grosseto, in the Tuscan Maremma, facing the Gulf of Follonica along the Tyrrhenian coast
Updated 19 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Follonica now
The story
The story of Follonica
Introduction and location
Follonica lies on the Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany, in the northern part of the province of Grosseto, within the historic Maremma region. The town faces directly onto the Gulf of Follonica, a wide bay bordered to the north by the Piombino promontory and to the south by the Punta Ala peninsula, with the island of Elba visible on the horizon on clear days. Its coastal setting, combined with the nearby Maremma hills and inland woodlands, makes Follonica a convenient base for both seaside holidays and countryside excursions.
History and origins
Follonica's present urban layout took shape in the nineteenth century around a large ironworks complex established by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany to process iron ore from the island of Elba and the nearby metalliferous hills. The old foundries, with their smelting furnaces and neoclassical buildings, shaped the town's fabric and the identity of the working community that settled there. As industrial activity gradually declined during the twentieth century, Follonica successfully reinvented itself as a seaside resort, while still preserving visible traces of its industrial past in the historic buildings of the town centre.
Nature and landscape
The landscape around Follonica is dominated by a long sandy shoreline stretching for several kilometres along the gulf, fringed by an extensive coastal pine forest that provides natural shade and paths for walking and cycling among the trees. Behind the coastal strip rise the hills of the Maremma, covered in holm oak woods and Mediterranean scrub that shelter flora and fauna typical of the Tuscan hinterland. The contrast between open sea, pine forest and hilly countryside makes the area suitable both for those seeking beach relaxation and for those who prefer walks and excursions in nature.
What to do and see
Visitors to Follonica can spend time on its equipped and free beaches, stroll through the town centre among buildings linked to its industrial past, or visit museum spaces housed in the former foundry buildings, dedicated to the history of ironworking and to artistic cast-iron production. The seafront and pine forest are ideal for cycling or walking routes, while the surrounding area offers opportunities for trips into the inland hills or further south along the Maremma coast. The town also offers a wide choice of bars, restaurants and beach establishments, especially active during the summer season.
Flavours and traditions
Follonica's cuisine reflects the traditions of the Tuscan Maremma, drawing on both the sea and the rural hinterland. Local tables feature fresh fish dishes, shellfish soups and specialities based on seasonal vegetables, accompanied by extra virgin olive oil and wines produced in the province of Grosseto. Traditional cakes and baked goods linked to the area's rural customs are also common. This combination of seafood cooking and Maremma farming tradition makes the local gastronomic offer varied and closely tied to the surrounding territory.
Not to be missed
- The sandy beaches of the Gulf of Follonica
- The coastal pine forest with walking and cycling paths
- The historic former foundry buildings in the town centre
- The museum dedicated to ironworking and artistic cast iron
- The Maremma hills and Mediterranean scrub of the hinterland
To see
What to see in Follonica
Routes · Trovido Route
Routes in Follonica
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