Cala del Leone is the pearl of the coral-rich Miglio Magico

You have to go past the enchanting Calignaia beach, which lies under the bridge of the same name, to spot the castle on the right, signalling the descent to Cala del Leone and thus embark on the most exciting coastal trek of the Livorno coastline: amidst myrtles, holm oaks and a few maritime pines, in fact, you descend along a path completely covered by the Mediterranean scrub that carpets the coastline just below the 19th-century castle built by Baron Sydney Sonnino over a pre-existing Medici fortress. This leads to the top of a rocky panettone from which to enjoy the spectacular view of this cove where young people are used to pitch their tents among the pebbles to make the so-called ribotta, a picnic that lasts from sunset until dawn the next day. The cove seems to be made of paper mache, the boulders of rock eroded and sculpted by the wind peep into the water. Arduous paths also unravel along the northernmost stretch. The Cala del Leone (Lion's Cove) is undoubtedly the bathing gem of the so-called Miglio Magico (Magic Mile), which runs from Castel Boccale to here, while red coral forms in the sea. On the way back, dine on fresh fish at the Novelli Restaurant perched on a cliff, after having an aperitif at the Art Nouveau Baracchina Bianca in the small square of the Church of San Jacopo.