PiombinoTuscany · Italy

All About Piombino

Piombino doesn’t have the international reputation of other towns and cities in Tuscany in Italy. However, that certainly doesn’t mean Piombino lacks the attractions of its more famous neighbors such as Florence and Pisa. In fact, Piombino was an important port for Pisa for many decades, and as a result, it can show off a treasure-trove of sights in addition to its natural attractions.

Situated on a small peninsula that reaches across towards the island of Elba and the Tuscan Archipelago, Piombino sits between Livorno and Civitavecchia on the west coast of north-central Italy. It also lies at the point at which the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian arms of the Mediterranean Sea meet. No surprise then that there are a huge number of ferry tickets to Piombino available from right across the region. To explore all the options around, be sure to use Ferryscanner. Our website makes it easy to compare different routes and departures before picking the right ferry tickets to Piombino for you.
 

Routes and Ferries to Piombino

Few ferry routes to Piombino take very long, with the shortest taking just 15 minutes. With multiple departures each day when taken together, opting for ferry tickets to Piombino is a simple process. The prices quoted below are based on a single adult foot passenger. If you’re intending to travel with a pet, bicycle, or motor vehicle, you should therefore be aware of potential additional costs.

Reaching the town of Cavo on Elba means being onboard the ferry for no more than 15 minutes, making it an ideal way to explore the island on which Napoleon Bonaparte was first exiled. What’s more, with two ferry companies making the crossing, there are up to nine services per day. Operated by Moby Lines and Toremar, tickets start at just €8 for the one-way journey.

Alternatively, Elba can also be reached from Piombino via both Portoferraio and Rio Marina. Located in the central region of the island’s north coast, the sailing to Portoferraio takes approximately one hour to complete, but there are up to 44 separate sailings each day. Four different companies compete for passengers, Moby Lines, Toremar, Corsica Ferries, and Blu Navy. Tickets cost €10. On the east coast of Elba, it is scheduled to take 45 minutes to reach Rio Marina. There are up to eight sailings in either direction every day, operated by Toremar alone.

In the Tuscan Archipelago, the island of Pianosa can be reached in just under three hours, although there is generally only one sailing per day in either direction, again run by Toremar. There are also two alternative routes for reaching Sardinia. The first provides ferry tickets to Piombino from the town of Olbia. This pleasant voyage across the Tyrrhenian Sea lasts 5.5 hours and can be joined six times per week thanks to Moby Lines. Prices range from €27-60, making comparing sailings on Ferryscanner all the more important.

The second way of reaching Sardinia by sea is by heading to Golfo Aranci. However, this route takes a little longer, at just over seven hours, and there is normally only one sailing per week in either direction, costing €57-96.

Finally, Piombino is also connected with the island of Corsica. A territory of France, it is linked with Piombino via Bastia twice a week through Corsica Ferries. On average, there are two sailings a week to choose between, with each lasting two hours 45 minutes.

Piombino’s peninsula position means the region’s road network is limited, with the main access routes into the town being the SS398 and SS40. There is also a mainline railway station on the eastern edge of the historic old town.  Pisa can be reached in 1.5 hours, and Florence and Rome in roughly 2.5 hours each. The nearest airport is Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport, 80 kilometers away.
 

Ports of Piombino

The main ports of Piombino are located on the eastern side of the town, roughly one kilometer from the center. It is here that the ferries arrive and depart from Piombino. It is not to be confused with the Marina di Salivoli, which is used as a mooring for private yachts. A car park with space for 400 vehicles can be found outside the port’s Piombino Marittima train station. It offers free parking for up to two hours. For longer periods, there are pay-for bays totaling 800 spaces nearby. The port’s passenger terminals include some basic cafes and newsagents. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time if you are a foot passenger, and around 90 minutes before departure if taking a motor vehicle onboard.
 

Best Beaches

Tuscany is known throughout the world for its natural beauty, and the beaches of Piombino certainly continue this reputation. Below are the details of some of the best beaches in Piombino and the surrounding area.

Calamoresca Beach

Located northwest of the Marina di Salivoli, Calamoresca Beach sits on an arc of coastline surrounded by low, green hills. There are basic amenities including refreshments and sun loungers, and a shallow sweep into the Mediterranean.

Cava Beach

Only really accessible via the Inizio Sentiero Costiero Calamoesca Baratti footpath, Cava Beach is understandably quieter than Calamoesca Beach to the south. However, those looking for a secluded beach escape who don’t mind the narrow nature of this area of the coast won’t find anywhere better.

Spiaggia Quagliodromo

A mix of smooth pebbles and soft sand, Spiaggia Quagliodromo is reached by the road that runs north from the port. Stretching for several kilometers, this beach is split into several different areas, creating a combination of private and public beachfront.

Follonica Beach

Although the furthest from Piombino at approximately 25 kilometers away, Follonica Beach is still the busiest during the summer period because of its promise of expansive pale sands, warm waters, and dramatic vistas towards the island of Elba.
 

Places to Visit

Whether you’re simply using Piombino as a means to reach Elba, Sardinia, Corsica, or Pianosa, you should still try and find the time necessary to explore the town, since it has existed since pre-Roman times. Here’s a selection of the best places to visit in Piombino.

Co-Cathedral of Sant’Antimo

This grand structure rises in unparalleled glory over the streets of Piombino. Built in the fourteenth century in the Pisan-Gothic style, its interior protects a number of important works, including a baptismal font by Andrea Guardi.

Castello di Piombino

Formed out of two separate buildings, the fortress and ‘cassero’, visiting the castle complex is a wonderful way to explore the long history of the town. A more detailed account of all that has gone on here can be found in the nearby Castle Museum.

Area Natuale Protetta di Interesse Locale Sterpaia

Its name is a little bit of a mouthful, though the area protected within its boundaries is certainly worth preserving, as you’ll discover for yourself. Not only does it include a beach but also important dune habitats and defensive towers slowly crumbling back to dust.
 

Transportation Around Piombino

In addition to the main train station of Piombino in the town center, there is another, called Piombino Marittima that may be of use to visitors arriving or departing by ferry because of its proximity to the port entrance. In addition, several bus lines also connect the town center and the port, including the 02A, 011, 21, and 49M. You’ll need to purchase bus tickets before boarding. They can be bought from newsagent stands and similar kiosks, and need to be validated by the small machine onboard.