Grosseto, a hidden gem in the heart of Tuscany, was recently selected as the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2024, an achievement that reflects the city’s commitment to sustainability. Grosseto provides a one-of-a-kind experience for responsible and eco-conscious travellers, combining stunning scenery, eco-friendly practices, and a rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring Tuscany’s pristine natural parks, savouring organic local cuisine, or learning about sustainable tourism, this guide will take you on a journey to the greener side of the region. Dive into Grosseto’s green charm and discover why it’s one of the best travel destination choices in 2024.
Respecting nature
Ever since the establishment of the Regional Park of Maremma in 1975, Grosseto has focused on the preservation of nature and culture, creating a holiday experience for nature lovers from all around the world. The park stretches from the Uccellina mountains to the Tyrrhenian Sea, offering a variety of landscapes for all travellers. For those interested in local agriculture, the park offers over 30 high quality agricultural farms with accommodation and restaurants, where visitors can take part in gastronomic tours, tasting local meats, cheeses, pastas, and wines. For an active holiday, the park provides walking and cycling paths, horseback riding, carriage rides, and canoe tours of the river.
Grosseto is also home to another nature reserve – Diaccia Botrona, the most important wetland in Italy and home to over 200 different species of animals and birds. Here birdwatchers can see flamingos, ospreys, egrets, purple herons, kites or jays. Animal lovers can see foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, porcupines and a variety of tortoises. For botanists, there are lake plants and about 15 different species of beautiful orchids.
Ancient city with a young heart
Grosseto is one of the few cities still surrounded by the authentic Medici walls, dating back to the 16th century. Spreading over a perimeter of 3 kilometres and an average height of 10 meters, this structure is an important part of history. Today, visitors can walk along the walls, admiring the city gates and gardens of the city. Another historical attraction, the ancient city of Roselle, is only 8 kilometres away from the city of Grosseto. Here, visitors can walk through the ruins of this important Etruscan city and see parts of its city wall, the amphitheatre and thermal baths.
Although Grosseto’s origins date back to the Middle Ages, the city centre now offers visitors many modern attractions. One example is the Trame initiative, an open-air gallery in the city centre, where street art works are displayed on closed shop shutters. Special street art tours are organised to let tourists explore all of the ‘designer shutters’, and every year the city hosts the Trame Festival. Throughout the year, the city offers free guided tours, allowing visitors to hear about the city directly from the locals.
An active traveller’s paradise
Breath-taking views, ancient villages and nature reserves make the area an oasis for active tourists. With 100 kilometres of cycle and pedestrian paths, 250 kilometres of trekking routes, the city lets its visitors explore the area in whatever way they choose – on foot, by bike, or taking advantage of the city’s electric bicycles and scooters. The bike path from Grosseto to the beach and along the coast takes visitors through the most beautiful parts of the area, while more experienced bike enthusiasts can enjoy a tour around Grosseto’s surrounding areas through the local mountains with unforgettable views from above. These activities organised by the city’s municipality encourage locals and tourists to explore the territory in a more sustainable and slower way.
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