Low season in Talamone

Talamone, a picturesque coastal village in Tuscany, has its own unique charm. Talamone offers spectacular views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The coastline is characterised by rocky cliffs, hidden coves and crystal-clear water, making the place a paradise for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts. Visitors appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and the warm hospitality of the locals. In contrast to the heavily visited – if not overcrowded – tourist destinations in northern Tuscany, as we experienced in Pisa the days before, Talamone is significantly quieter. This is particularly noticeable in the low season in September and October. The sea is still at a pleasant temperature and the sunny days are southern-warm.

Below the historic Rocca Aldobrandesca fortress lies the local bathing spot Bagno delle Donne. In summer, the man-made areas between the rocks are tightly packed with colourful sun loungers and umbrellas, and a bar provides refreshing drinks and coffee. In summer, the white changing cubicles built into the rocks, with their turquoise doors and roofs under an azure sky, convey the feeling of Italian bathing culture with bold, vibrant colours. Now in autumn, the doors have been taken down and stored safely away from the winter storms. The rocks and shady spots were occupied by only a few bathers. Towards evening, it emptied out completely. A fisherman and I had the dreamy sunset all to ourselves.

While swimming in the sea earlier, I was surrounded by shoals of fish. While taking photos in the shallow water, I even made the acquaintance of a mini octopus. Later, I climbed the stairs up to the road and was able to enter the small old town through a passage in the city walls. The narrow streets of the small village were lined with traditional stone houses, cosy cafes and family-run restaurants serving delicious local specialities. However, at the end of September, many of the cafes or restaurants were already closing earlier, were not open every day of the week or had finished the season completely, so you should check the opening times beforehand.

The campsite was also closed, as were many hotels. Therefore, we had booked a wonderful holiday flat on an agriturismo, with a view of the bay and located directly on the Parco Regionale della Maremma nature reserve. Fortunately, such offers are available all year round.

Talamone is also an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding region of southern Tuscany. Nearby are the long sandy beaches near Orbetello, the Monte Argentario peninsula, the thermal springs of Saturnia and charming medieval towns like Pitigliano or the wineries of Scansano, all of which are easily accessible by car.