Here you can find an interesting contrast of a historic town on a hill, with a cute marina and beach below. As the town sits on a hill overlooking the sea, it provided a good advantage point in turbulent past times.
In its days it was not just a beautiful vantage point, but also an important town due to his work and trade of iron, but it was also unusual due to its waterfront location.. Populonia was one of 12 cities of Etruria and is located just north of Piombino.
Below the town is a small and lively marina where you can find restaurants and a beautiful sandy beach in the bay known as Baratti. Up above the old city walls still stand to protect the town from pirates, with a 15th Century castle.
Behind the walls you can find a typical town from the 1300s that is located along the two paved thoroughfares San Giovanni di Sopra and San Giovanni di Sotto, with its small shops and cafes.
You can view many impressive Etruscan and Roman finds in the museum in town, and learn about the area's caves and in the sea.
Read more about Populonia
Wander the 80 hectares of land that comprises the archaeological park "Parco Archeologico di Baratti e Populonia", and find pristine nature and hiking trails. See the monumental necropolis of San Cerbone, with tombs from the 7th - 6th century BC, and the Via delle Cave - Etruscan caves with tombs carved into the rocks from 4th - 3rd century BC.
