If you plan to visit Tuscany, you should not miss Versilia. It is a relatively small area on the Tuscan coast, located in the northwest of Tuscany. The Versilia area includes the municipalities of Viareggio, Torre del Lago, Massarosa, Camaiore and the so-called “Versilia Storica”, consisting of four ancient municipalities: Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Seravezza, and Stazzema. This charming Italian region, enclosed by the sea and the Apuan Alps, hides many natural beauties.
Thanks to its strategic geographical position, the Versilia region is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is well-known for its spa facilities and has become a popular destination for the summer holidays. Young people can enjoy the lively nightlife, and families with children appreciate the numerous excursions, cycling routes and, of course, great swimming opportunities. Below in the text, we present you with the best tips on what you can do in this region.
Relax on the beach
Enjoy relaxing on the beach. You can rent a beach hut or sun loungers for the whole day and enjoy a nice lunch in the restaurants. If you like wild and free beaches, we recommend Lecciona beach in Viareggio.
Shopping in Forte dei Marmi
Forte dei Marmi is a pleasant luxury seaside resort known throughout Italy and abroad for its boutiques, good restaurants, and bars. Every Wednesday morning, the rounded Piazza Marconi hosts the Forte dei Marmi market, where you can buy quality clothes and house utensils at great rates.
Take a walk through the artistic city of Pietrasanta
Pietrasanta is a beautiful city at the Apuan Alps’ foot, famous all over the world for its items made of marble and bronze. It’s also called Small Italian Athens because artists like Botero and Mitoraj decided to work and live there. You can find foundries, marble and mosaic workshops, art galleries, nice bars, and restaurants along its streets.
Learn more about the ancient Romans at the archaeological site
The archaeological area called Massaciuccoli Romana is situated to the east of Lake Massaciuccoli. You can discover there the world of ancient Romans under the supervision of experts and passionate archaeologists. You can even stop nearby for bird watching or take a walk along the wooden paths across the lake in the natural oasis of Massaciuccoli.
Go to the opera
If you like classical music, you can enjoy the Puccini Festival held at the Torre del Lago Open-Air Theatre on the opposite shore of the lake. The festival in honour of the great composer Giacomo Puccini, who spent most of his life there, takes place every July and August.
Hiking along Alpine trails
Discover the Apuan Alps with the highest peaks of Tuscany. The local nature park forms part of the global network of UNESCO geoparks. You can enjoy hiking along panoramic trails that lead to the mountains’ tops with breath-taking vistas of the sea.
Explore the underground of the Apuan Alps
Corchia is the largest complex of karst caves in Italy. A two-kilometre path takes you deep into the heart of the mountain, where you can admire beautiful stalactites – and it’s only a few kilometres from the beach.
Taste the traditional cuisine
Versilia is also known for its traditional food. As it is a coastal region, we recommend tasting seafood. Of course, there are many other dishes to enjoy, such as Tordelli (a type of ravioli stuffed with a mixture of different meats and herbs) or Scarpaccio (savoury vegetable pie).
Viareggio and the famous carnival
Viareggio is well-known not only for its beaches but also for its carnival. Every February, festivities are held along the seafront promenade, masks and confetti attract thousands of adults and children.
White marble quarries
If you drive along the coast, you will reach the city of Carrara, world-famous for its marble production and processing. You can visit the picturesque old town centre and admire the unique scenery of white marble quarries.
Medieval castles
The northern part of Tuscany, along its border with Liguria, is called Lunigiana and is well-known for its nature and the number of castles you can visit.
