Cala Violina

Cala Violina is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Tuscany, and the protection it enjoys from the Diaccia Botrona reserve ensures it stays that way. The crescent of fine white sand is backed by dense Mediterranean forest — pine, heather, rockrose, juniper — and sheltered on both sides by rocky promontories. The water is transparent and shallow for a long way out, making it ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

The beach is accessible by foot (about forty minutes through the forest from the nearest car park) or by boat from Punta Ala. In peak summer the parking areas fill by mid-morning, so an early start or a boat trip from the marina is advisable. Entry to the reserve is free; a modest parking fee applies. No facilities on the beach itself.

things to do sight
A story
Cala Violina takes its name from the sound the quartz sand makes when you walk on it — a high, musical squeak that some describe as resembling a violin. The beach sits inside the Diaccia Botrona nature reserve and vehicle access is restricted: you walk in along a track through pine and macchia forest, which keeps crowds manageable even in August. The protected status also means the sea floor is undisturbed and the water unusually clear.