Castello Sonnino is located near the small village of Quercianella, along the picturesque Etruscan coast. Tour the castle, taste the wines from the adjacent vineyard or enjoy an al-fresco meal. You can also hike around the surrounding valleys. On a hot day, bring your snorkel gear and dive into the warm waters, or peer into the rock pools to try to catch a glimpse of some of the Mediterranean marine life.
Admire the neo-medieval style structure with its 13th-century tower, which sits on a rocky cliff overlooking a secluded bay. It was named after one of its past owners, Sidney Sonnino, an Italian statesman who was buried in a cave carved into the cliff below the castle.Book ahead to take a tour of the interior. Follow the guide to the courtyard at the heart of the castle. In the tower you can enter a room where an ancient clock is still ticking away the minutes as if nothing has changed. From there, look out over the vineyard and surrounding valleys.
If you love wine, arrange a tour of the vineyard too and end your visit in the wine bar. The castle’s restaurant serves fine Italian food, which you can enjoy stretched out under the shade of an ancient mulberry tree or at a table indoors. You can even spend the night at the castle, if you book ahead to reserve the apartment.
The castle looks out over two beaches, once notorious hot spots for pirates but now great places for recreation, including swimming and snorkeling.
Castelllo Sonnino is located around 8 miles (13 kilometres) south of Livorno and can be reached by car or by bus. Check the castle’s website for information about tours and prices. A trip here can be combined with a visit to nearby Castello del Boccale, which is located just 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometres) to the north on the Il Romito cliff.
