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Home to some of Italy’s swankiest beach resorts, Versilia boasts endless stretches of golden sand lined by chic seaside towns and backed by the serrated peaks of the Apuan Alps. Top things to do in Versilia include visiting Carrara’s marble quarries—the source of pure white stone for the ancient Romans and Michelangelo—and reveling at the wild, wintertime carnival in Viareggio. You can also take a day trip to Pisa and Lucca, or cruise up the coast to Portovenere and the Cinque Terre.
Versilia is a summer hotspot. From June through August, the waterfront is lined with colorful sun umbrellas, and pleasure boats buzz up and down the coast. This hot, dry season is also ideal for hiking into the Apuan Alps, visiting the Carrara marble quarries, or taking day trips inland to Pietrasanta or the Colli di Luni wine country. The winter Carnival season is also a popular time to visit, when Viareggio pulls out all the stops with spectacular parade floats.
The La Spezia to Pisa rail line runs directly through Versilia, connecting towns such as Pieatrasanta and Viareggio. Local buses run between the inland train stations of beachfront resorts such as Marina di Massa and Forte dei Marmi, while Carrara and Colonnata in the Apuan Alps are easiest to reach by car. Traffic can get hopelessly snarled along the coast in the summer and on weekends, so public transport is the better choice for a beach break.
Visiting a traditional beach club (or stabilimento balneare) is a fun way to experience Italian culture. These summer staples line much of Italy’s coastline—especially in popular resort areas like Versilia—and add a dash of color, plus lots of convenient services, to the waterfront. Most stabilimenti rent one umbrella with two loungers as a package for the day, and offer basic amenities such as restrooms, outdoor showers, and snack bars. Larger beach clubs often have full-service restaurants, cabanas, and waterfront drink service.
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Yes, Versilia boasts beaches and cultural sites along one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in Tuscany. Resort towns offer pristine sand and family-friendly water ideal for swimming. The inland towns of Pietrasanta, Seravezza, and Camaiore have picture-perfect historic centers plus excellent shopping and dining.
...MoreVersilia is a stretch of Tuscan coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Forte dei Marmi is to the north and Torre del Lago is to the south. It's most famous for coastal resort towns such as Viareggio, but the Alpuan Alp foothills just inland are dotted with medieval villages within an hour's drive.
...MoreYes, the upscale resort towns of Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio are among Italy’s most exclusive, so hotels and restaurants are more costly here than in other seaside areas on the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts. The small villages in the mountains offer more budget-friendly B&B options and rustic dining.
...MoreVersilia’s top attractions are the coastal resort towns of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi, along with the historic inland towns of Pietrasanta, Camaire, and Seravezza. Other highlights include the marble quarries of Carrara, and the hiking and biking trails of the Apuan Alps.
...MoreYou should plan to spend at least three days in Versilia. Dedicate your first day to the beaches in Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio. On the second day, explore the Apuan peaks on foot or by bike. Head deep into the mountains on your third day to visit the Carrara marble quarries.
...MoreViareggio and Forte dei Marmi are considered the two most beautiful and exclusive stretches of coastline in Versilia. Though not as famous, Lido di Camaiore and Marina di Pietrasanta are also top spots, with golden sand, clear water, and well-equipped beach clubs flanked by free public beaches.
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