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Le Rocchette in Castiglione della Pescaia
Photo © pracucci
Photo © pracucci

Cinque Vele: the most beautiful sea in Tuscany

Clear and clean water but also respect for the environment

Where is the most beautiful beach in terms of crystal-clear water and sustainable land management?
The answer is the most anticipated of the summer.

Clean sea, beauty and attention to sustainability: 4 resorts in Tuscany have been awarded Legambiente e Touring Club Italiano’s “Cinque Vele”. The “Vele” (Sails) range from 1 (minimum score) to 5 (maximum score) for the most deserving municipalities through data collected by Legambiente. A symbol that indicates not only the purity of the water but also the quality of the environment and services offered in general.

The places classified as Cinque Vele (or, Five Sails) in 2025 are Castiglione della Pescaia, Capalbio, Giglio Island and Grosseto.

Granted the right to fly the Quattro Vele (Four Sails) flag are Capraia Island, Magliano in Toscana, Scarlino, Follonica, Campo nell’Elba and Orbetello. Tre Velle (Three Sails) go to Marciana, Portoferraio, Porto Azzurro, Rio, Castagneto Carducci, Marciana Marina, San Vincenzo and Monte Argentario. Finally, Due Vele (Two Sails) wave in Capoliveri, Camaiore, Tirrenia, Pisa, Bibbona, Cecina, Pietrasanta, Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi.

A glimpse of Castiglione della Pescaia
A glimpse of Castiglione della Pescaia - Credit: Roland Gerth/SIME

Tuscany also stands out for municipalities that have committed to taking specific measures to make their beaches welcoming to sea turtles seeking a place to lay their eggs. There are 103 sea turtle-friendly municipalities nationwide, 10 of which are in Tuscany: Grosseto, Follonica, Orbetello, Castiglione della Pescaia, Vecchiano, San Giuliano Terme, Bibbona, Cecina, Camaiore and Massa.

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