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North of Grosseto are the Etruscan cities of Roselle and Vetulonia which still have part of their surrounding walls made of polygonal blocks some of which are five meters high. Both have archeological sites of considerable relevance and an interesting necropolis.
Further north is Massa Marittima a fortified town on the side of a mountain and an excellent example of a medieval enclave.

On the coast, Castiglione della Pescaia, a well known seaside resort, has a lovely pinewood forest and beaches with sand surrounding a medieval citadel with an imposing castle. Not far away is Punta Ala, the most exclusive of the beach resorts in the area known for its extensive woodlands and magnificent private villas hidden in the greenery.

Maremma

The Maremma nature park includes the Mountains of Uccellina, one of the few landscapes along the coast which have remained in their original state. At the heart of the reserve are a series of hills rising from the plains of Grosseto. Disused for centuries due to malaria, as a result of the reclamation works by the Lorraine family, the area now encloses an infinite number of beaches and coves, coastal marshes, forests and typical Mediterranean maquis forest. Even the most unobservant visitor cannot fail to encounter the abundant wildlife which roams freely in the pinewoods such as deer, badgers, wolves and wild boars which can be dangerous.
The flora in the park is also unique; many cork producing oak trees as well as enormous expanses of rosemary which perfume the air and are an exceptional sight when they are all in flower. Many rare species are also to be found. There are seven paths to choose from to please trekkers, nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.

Argentario Peninsula

Mount Argentario was probably originally an island which subsequently became part of the coast with the formation of dunes at Fenigla and Giannella and accumulated rubble brought in by the rivers and marine currents. Archeological remains found in the Grotta degli Stretti (Cave of the Straits) and in the Cala dei Santi (Bay of Saints) prove that the area had been inhabited in ancient times.
Due to its geographic position in the centre of the Mediterranean navigators considered it a safe place to moor, but also one of strategic importance. For this reason, various fortifications and look out towers were erected there as far back as the Bronze Age.
Characteristic of this area is the presence of multiple grottos (caves) caused by the erosive action of the sea outside and the Karst phenomena inside.
The two best known towns from a tourist point of view are Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano, both of which have ports for pleasure boats. At the top of the promontory is Monte Telegrafo which provides an excellent panorama over the surrounding area. Inland to the south of Grossetto is Pitigliano which, in addition to being a delightful medieval town, is built on a spur made of tufa which contrasts splendidly with the Renaissance buildings and monuments.
Carrying on we come to Sorano, an old village of towers made into houses where a series of paths have been excavated to form narrow connecting roads through the tufa. The vertical walls, covered in some places with thick vegetation, are so narrow that sometimes the sky can only be seen through cracks way up above, providing a magical atmosphere.
At Sovana, a real medieval jewel of a town built on a plane in the tufa landscape, essential viewing is the Piazza del Pretoio. It is unique town with its Etruscan necropolis which extends throughout the surrounding tufa valleys.
Itinerary ends at the Terme di Saturnia famous for its 37°C degree sulphureous springs used to cure maladies. The hotels in the area offer yet another option as they use the same water to fill their bathtubs for a therapeutic effect.