We will be in Florence first week of May and would like to spend 2 nights at a nice swimming beach. I’m a little concerned about water temperature and want to avoid marinas, ports or industrialized areas. Our next stop is Sienna, so heading south would be difficult.
Will the water be too cold to swim?
Would we be better off heading to Emilia Romagna or Marche?
Thanks
Chuck
I would be concerned about water temperature as well since it looks like Maine is on the same longitude as Maine....
I don't think the sea will be warm enough anywhere in Italy early May. You would have to look at a weather stat page and extrapolate to your own experience swimming in that temp of water. I know I would absolutely need a wetsuit. I typically travel in late May and even then it can be iffy, but I have always swam in late May.
If you are of heartier stock than me:
The northern Tuscan beaches are formal (see images of Forte de Marmi, etc.)--that is just not my kind of beach.
The middle area around Livorno is a question mark to me in terms of water quality, and of course that is a large port--we have some regulars here who might know more--I am curious about what that park on the sea just west of Pisa is like.
If you go a bit further north into southern Liguria, there are some gorgeous natural beaches (some rocky) in the Lerici area.
Once you get south of Cecina, there should be some nice beaches but I have limited experience in this area. Once you get to the Piombino area and south, the beaches get great--the best beaches I have found in Italy.
There is a blue flag certification that you can look up for info on water quality, etc.
Too early for immersion swimming. You can wade or sunbathe in good weather, but that's all you'll see Italians over the age of 14 doing. However visiting the Versilia coast is fun - Viareggio, Torre del Lago and Forte dei Marmi would be interesting on a weekend and can be combined easily with a visit to Lucca.
There's no beach nearby. You also might consider thermal baths, such as Bagni San Filippo.
If you only have a week, there's just too much to do to waste at a beach in early May.
I'm pretty sure that the beaches don't open for swimming until June at the earliest. My guess is you're out of luck.
Forget the beaches in Northern Italy. Even in hot weather, the beaches are not very nice. There are some nice beaches in southern Italy and the Greek Islands, but you can do better in Florida or the Caribbean for beaches.
Yes, it will be too cold to swim in May.
Of course there are beaches nearby, and there are some nice ones I assure you. Now whether you want to swim in frigid water is up to you!
If you just want some r&r, then the suggestion of a thermal spa is a nice one. Ot maybe just a couple days hiking. Or if the swimming is optional but you want some seaside, I'd go to Viareggio and gorge on seafood.
As far as longitude is concerned, Italy is on the same longitude as the North Pole, like any place on Earth. All longitudes meet at the poles.
As fast as latitude is concerned, the temperatures of a body of water have little to do with latitude. Northern Italy may be on the same latitude as Maine or Washington State but I can assure you that the water in the Mediterranean will be warmer than either place.
Having said that, temperatures of the water in Tuscany in May will be somewhat too cold to swim in (at least for my taste) albeit probably much warmer than the Ocean water of Maine or even here in San Francisco in August.
Given the fact you are in Florence without a car, I recommend Viareggio or Castiglioncello.
The former is a big resort town. The beach is ok, a bit better south of the city, but at least there will be some vibrant life in town (although not like in Summer).
The latter is a smaller quainter beach town. The beach is rockier but the place is prettier.
Either way getting in the water will require some bravery. But if you don’t have problems getting in the water in Maine or Oregon, you can probably bathe in Italy even in February.
Romagna and Marche will offer much of the same, just farther.
