Looking for a villa near Volterra?

Volterra is one of the most atmospheric towns in Tuscany, and one of the least convenient to see in a hurry. It sits on a hill, it is older than most of the cities around it, and it has a craft tradition — alabaster — that is still alive. This guide explains what Volterra is and where Roc Villa Bay is.

Where Volterra is

Volterra is a town in the province of Pisa, inland from the Tuscan coast, built on a hill above the valleys of the Era and Cecina rivers. It is not a coastal town. The sea is part of the wider landscape, but the town itself is a hill town, with steep streets and long views.

Roc Villa Bay is in Castiglioncello, on the coast in the province of Livorno. Volterra and Castiglioncello are both in Tuscany and both have Etruscan roots, but they are different places with different landscapes.

What Volterra is known for

Volterra has Etruscan origins and preserves one of the most important Etruscan legacies in Italy, including tombs and the Porta all'Arco, an Etruscan gate incorporated into later walls. The town also has a Roman theatre from the first century BC, the medieval Palazzo dei Priori, the cathedral and the Medici fortress, which dominates the skyline.

The town is also known for alabaster. The craft has been practised here for centuries, and the workshops and museums are part of the reason to visit. Volterra's atmosphere is darker and more stratified than the postcard Tuscan hill town: Etruscan, Roman, medieval and modern layers are visible in the same streets.

Roc Villa Bay as a different base

Roc Villa Bay is a private seafront estate in Castiglioncello with four bedrooms, three private units, more than 4,000 m² of Mediterranean garden and two private accesses to the sea. It is a house for families and small groups, with a sandy beach reached by a private path and a rocky cove reached by stone steps.

Volterra is a hill town to visit slowly, preferably early or late in the day. Castiglioncello is a coastal base for swimming and resting. A stay at Roc Villa Bay can include Volterra as a day trip, but the house is not in Volterra and we do not describe it as such.

Who should choose Volterra

Choose Volterra if you want Etruscan history, alabaster, a Roman theatre and a hill-town atmosphere, and if you are happy with steep streets. Choose Castiglioncello if the sea is the centre of the holiday and Volterra is an excursion. The art cities guide places Volterra alongside the better-known Tuscan towns.

The villas near Tuscany index lists the other destinations we cover.

Practicalities

We do not publish distances or drive times. If you are planning to visit Volterra from the coast, tell us your dates and starting point and we will confirm the practicalities. Start with the enquiry form.