What to see in Grosseto in 2 days: Medicean walls and the Maremma
Grosseto is often just a stop on the way to the sea, but its walled centre and closeness to the Maremma Park deserve two unhurried days.
Patafisik, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Day 1 — the walled historic centre
Grosseto is one of the few Tuscan cities whose historic centre remains entirely enclosed within Renaissance walls: an almost perfect hexagon commissioned by Grand Duke Francesco I de' Medici in 1574 and completed in 1593 to a design by Baldassarre Lanci. It's worth walking at least a stretch of the bastions before heading into the heart of the city. Within the walls, the day centres on Piazza Duomo, dominated by the Cathedral of San Lorenzo (1294-1302) with its white-and-red two-tone façade, and the nearby Palazzo Aldobrandeschi. Don't miss the Church of San Francesco, home to a 13th-century wooden crucifix, and — for those with time — the Church of San Pietro, among the city's oldest, with Byzantine-era bas-reliefs.
Day 2 — between the Maremma and the coast
The second day is a chance to step outside the centre and understand why Grosseto is called "the gateway to the Maremma": a 15-20 minute drive takes you to the coastal hamlets of Marina di Grosseto and Principina a Mare, or — for wilder nature — the northern edges of the Maremma Regional Park towards Alberese. Those who prefer to stay in town can spend the second day at a slower pace between the modern Barbanella district and the neighbourhood markets, for a more authentic taste of everyday Grosseto life away from tourist circuits.
Practical info
How long do you need to visit Grosseto?
Two days allow you to alternate between the walled historic centre and a trip to the coast or the Maremma Park.
What to see in Grosseto in 2 days?
On the first day you explore the walled historic centre, on the second between the Maremma and the coast.
When should you go to Grosseto?
The best months are April, May, June, September and October, when there are fewer people.
Are there a lot of people in Grosseto?
Grosseto is very quiet compared to the more touristic destinations.
Where exactly is Grosseto located?
Grosseto sits in Tuscany.
Suggested as an alternative to
If you're looking for crowd-free destinations like this one, also see:
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Grosseto ~1 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto di Grosseto GRS ~3 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
