The best traffic-free bike rides around Follonica

Riotorto is a hamlet in the municipality of Piombino, located in Tuscany in the province of Livorno, along the picturesque Etruscan Coast. The village stands at about 52 meters above sea level, nestled between the dense Mediterranean scrub of the Montioni woods and the Tyrrhenian Sea, from which it is just 4 kilometers away.

The Archaeological Museum is housed in the ancient Palazzo del Podestà (1225), which overlooks the Piazza del Duomo of Massa Marittima. The collection is organized into sections, ordered chronologically from the lower paleolithic to the etruscan age; the main piece of the prehistoric collection is the eneolithic statue-stele of Vado all’Arancio, the only find of its type in Maremma; the etruscan finds come mainly from excavations carried out at the village of Lago dell’Accesa, they are mainly kitchenware, loom weights, fishing weights and bricks; also present are the funerary trousseaux found in the necropolises, especially pottery (figulina clay and bucchero), bronze fibulae, iron pot stands, iron and bronze weapons. On the ground floor, an educational section is set up with a life-size reconstruction of typical caves: a paleolithic and an eneolithic one. Guided tours and educational activities, organization of cultural events and film screenings are available.

The Palazzo Comunale of Massa Marittima, located in Piazza Garibaldi, is an imposing 13th-14th century travertine building, the hub of medieval Tuscan power. The complex, characterized by three floors of mullioned windows and 19th-century battlements, combines the 14th-century Torre del Bargello (formerly Biserno) with the Sienese Gothic central body. The facade features the Medici coat of arms and a 15th-century bas-relief. Travertine structure composed of several blocks, with the Torre del Bargello (13th century) and the Gothic central body (14th century). It features the Medici coat of arms (1555), a bas-relief by Urbano da Cortona (15th century), and commemorative plaques of Giuseppe Garibaldi. It houses the Cappella dei Priori (frescoed in 1525, now the Mayor's office) and Igor Mitoraj's sculpture "Icarus" in the atrium.

Cronoscalata. In 2018, the Kapannenberg time trial took place. There were 53 athletes registered on September 29th, organized by Velo Club Massa Marittima, in collaboration with Uisp ciclismo of Grosseto. The 5-kilometer time trial route started from the former miners' village in Capanne and ended near the Massa Marittima Penitentiary. The best time was set by Fabio Cini of Cicli Copparo with 10’21" 67.

The Follonica promenade, located in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, stretches for over 6 km, offering a large area entirely accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, rich in bathing establishments, free beaches, pine forests, and excellent services. It is the ideal place for walks and sports, with clear waters and shallow depths ideal for families.

The cycle path along the Follonica seafront is a flat and scenic route of about 7 km. It is part of the emerging Ciclovia Tirrenica, from Pratoranieri south towards Scarlino.

Pratoranieri beach is one of the most famous seaside resorts in Follonica, known for its golden sand, crystal-clear water, and a conformation that makes it perfect for both family holidays and water sports enthusiasts. Pratoranieri is less than 5 km from the center of Follonica, and is easily reachable on foot and by bicycle, also thanks to a stretch of pedestrian coastline and a cycle path. The shore, made of fine golden sand, is narrow and long in the perfect style of Follonica's beaches, mostly free; only a small part is dedicated to beach establishments, where it is possible to rent water sports equipment.

Follonica, one of Tuscany's most beloved seaside destinations, offers everything you could wish for from a beach holiday: sandy beaches with facilities, clear waters, a long seafront promenade full of bars and shops, services for families, and a welcoming but never chaotic atmosphere.