Capalbio: Tuscany’s hidden gem

Capalbio in Tuscany is a magical place full of legend, where you can discover an authentic face of everyday Italian life.

Capalbio is a town unlike any other in Tuscany. This enchanting place is full of magical places, legendary characters, charming culture and breathtaking views, and is a wonderful day trip to enjoy on your Tuscany package holiday.

Located on the border between Lazio and Tuscany, Capalbio is known as the “last village of the Maremma”, which is a coastal region in western central Italy. This small town is nestled between countryside and dense forests, affording wonderful natural vistas for all that travel here.

Capalbio can easily be visited on a day trip from Civitavecchia or Grosseto, but if you want to immerse yourself in this town’s enchanting culture, we recommend enjoying an overnight stay in Capalbio during your Tuscany package holiday.

Capalbio Attractions

Capalbio is home to a wealth of unique and enchanting attractions, and the town is a true hidden gem in Tuscany. Here are six of Capalbio’s top attractions that we recommend enjoying if you visit this small town.

1. Garden of Tarots

Probably the most famous Capalbio attraction, the Garden of Tarots is a magical park created by the eccentric artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The park was inspired by the famous Park Güell in Barcelona, as well as the Gardens of Bomarzo. The park opened in 1998 and is located on the southern slope of the Hill of Gravicchio. It is characterised by 22 sculptures, some of which tower over you up to a height of 15 metres. Many are made of steel and concrete, and covered with mirrors, glass and coloured ceramics, aimed at representing the Major Arcana.

Visiting the Garden of Tarots in Capalbio means entering an enchanted world, somewhere between charm and mystery, and we are sure this special place will amaze you step by step.

2. Historic Centre

Another popular Capalbio attraction is the intriguing historic centre, which is a succession of winding alleys, squares and passages that open to the countryside. It is rich in prestigious buildings, intricate arches and historic gates, making this Capalbio attraction a wonderful place to discover if you have an interest in Italian architecture.

Popular things to see in Capalbio’s historic centre include:

• the beautiful Porta Senese
• the Aldobrandesca Tower, which affords evocative views (also known as Rocca Aldobrandesca)
• the Collacchioni Palace, which houses the Conrad Graf’s fortepiano played by Puccini
• the Oratory of Providence, which houses the Madonna of Providence attributed to Perugino and Pinturicchio
• the historic crenellated walls along Via Vittorio Emanuele II
• Arco Santo

3. Rocca Aldobrandesca

The Rocca Aldobrandesca is located in the historic center and has mediaeval origins. This fort is in the shape of an "L" and is attached to Palazzo Collacchioni.

For the best experience, we recommend climbing up to the terrace to take in one of the most beautiful views of Capalbio.

4. Pieve di San Nicola

Do not miss this little gem that stands in the main square of Capalbio. Often described as an “unexpected beauty”, this church and bell tower is built in a Romanesque style and contains notable 15th-century frescoes of the Umbrian and Sienese schools.

5. Lake Burano

If you want to immerse yourself in nature during your day trip to Capalbio, visit the Lake Burano nature reserve, which was established in 1980 and is managed by the WWF. This Capalbio nature reserve spans 410 hectares (of which the lake accommodates 140 hectares). The site represents an important wintering point for many animal species and has a unique flora, making it an unmissable Capalbio attraction for those interested in nature.

Within the reserve, you can enjoy rustic walking trails, observation huts, and see fresh- and salt-water fish in the lake. There is also a visitor centre, where you can learn more about the site. (Note that the reserve is open seasonally.)

6. Tomb of the Brigante Tiburzi (Tomba del Brigante Domenico Tiburzi)

This historic Capalbio attraction can give you an insight into the turbulent history of Maremma, as it tells the story of Domenico Tiburzi – the Brigand of Maremma. Considered a bandit, Tiburzi died in 1896 but was denied a standard burial as he was an outlaw; however, Tiburzi was a friend to the local people, who demanded a decent burial for a character who they considered a hero.

Eventually, a compromise was reached and Tiburzi was buried in a tomb on the border of the cemetary, half inside and half out!

Capalbio Wine and Cuisine

While on your Capalbio day trip, don’t miss sampling some of the local wine. The countryside around Capalbio is among the most fertile land in Tuscany and the region produces some excellent DOC Capalbio wine.

The town is also famous for its salami, jams and marmalades, and cheeses. Among the typical dishes we recommend you try, don’t miss acquacotta, which is a traditional Tuscan soup.

Visit Capalbio

If you would like to visit the Tuscan hidden gem of Capalbio on your next Tuscany package holiday, contact us about our tailor-made Italy holidays. We specialise in personalised travel to Tuscany and create twin and multi centre holidays designed around the unique needs of our customers.

As a part of our dedicated Tuscany travel service, we can arrange all you holiday details, including flights, airport transfers and accommodation, and we can also arrange a day trip to Capalbio. To find out more, call us on (UK) 01223 637331 or (US) 347-594-5500, or click here to send an online enquiry.