Weekend in Piombino

A 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic church on Piazza Gramsci. The interior is plain but has a carved wooden crucifix and traces of frescoes. It's usually quiet and provides a cool bre

Tip: Check the doorpost for a small brass plaque marking the 1944 Allied bombing damage. The church is open for mass at 8am and 6pm but you can peek inside between services.

A medieval fortification with two cylindrical towers and a narrow causeway. You can walk around the outside for free, but climbing inside costs a small fee. The views over the old

Tip: Go late afternoon when the sun hits the stonework. The entrance to the ramparts is tucked behind the tourist office on Via Ferruccio.

A flat seafront promenade running about 1.5km from the port to the public beach. Benches, palm trees, and views of the Gulf of Follonica. No attractions as such, but the best free walk in town for fre

Tip: Start at the little fountain near the gas station at the north end. The path gets crowded with cyclists after 5pm, so go early morning if you want a quiet stroll.

The old harbour area with fishing boats, a small market (Wednesdays and Saturdays until 1pm), and a few benches. Not glamorous but gives a real sense of working port life. You can watch fishing crews

Tip: The best seafood in Piombino is from the white van that sets up by the fish auction at 11am – cheap fried calamari and anchovies. Bring cash and a plastic fork.

A landscaped park on the Gulf of Baratti with Etruscan ruins, pine trees, and a pebble beach. Entry to the park and beach is free; the archaeological museum and tombs have a small charge. Good for a p

Tip: Bring your own water and snacks. The café at the entrance charges triple for a bottle and closes by 5pm even in summer.