Forte dei Marmi

Forte dei Marmi is the most elegant seaside resort in Versilia: a small town with just under 7.000 inhabitants in northwestern Tuscany (province of Lucca), with a wide sandy beach, pine-lined villas, designer boutiques, and the marble peaks of the Apuan Alps in the background. It is particularly known for its historic pier and its weekly market on Wednesdays.

Get to know Forte dei Marmi

Location

Forte dei Marmi lies in the northern part of Versilia , between Marina di Massa to the north and Marina di Pietrasanta to the south. Behind the town, the Apuan Alps rise steeply – a panorama particularly impressive from the beach and the pier. In summer, the town's population nearly triples.

History: from Marble Port to Seaside Resort

The town owes its name to the small fort ("Fortino") that Grand Duke Peter Leopold had built in 1788 to protect the coast. Soon, the area around the fort served as a storage depot for marble from the Apuan Alps, which was shipped from here – "Forte dei Marmi" literally means "Fort of the Marbles." The pier was built in 1876/77 to serve as a loading point.

By the end of the 19 century, Forte dei Marmi had become a summer retreat for nobility, industrialists and artists. Thomas Mann set his novella "Mario und der Zauberer" in a seaside resort modelled on Forte dei Marmi; Aldous Huxley and the sculptor Henry Moore also spent time here. To this day, the town remains a meeting place for celebrities and business families, especially during the high season.

Sights and activities

The pier (pontile)

The pier is the city's landmark. Originally around 257 meters long and extended in 1932, it was blown up by German troops during World War II and rebuilt in the 1950s; today it measures around 275 meters. A sunset stroll with a view of the Apuan Alps is a must for any visitor.

Fortino and town center

The Fortino on Piazza Garibaldi marks the town center; inside is the Museo della Satira e della Caricatura (Museum of Satire and Caricature) – fittingly, given that the town has been awarding the "Premio Satira Politica" (Political Satire Prize) for decades. Pedestrian streets lined with boutiques, cafés, and ice cream parlors surround the fort; in the evenings, people stroll between Piazza Garibaldi and the pier. The town center is considered a prime location with correspondingly high prices, while the districts of Vittoria Apuana and Fiumetto are generally somewhat more affordable.

Villa Bertelli

The villa from the 19 century in the district of Vittoria Apuana has belonged to the municipality since 2002 and is today the cultural centre of Forte dei Marmi: exhibitions, readings and concerts all year round, and large open-air concerts in the park's amphitheatre in summer. The Museo Quarto Platano also displays modern art. You can find the current programme at villabertelli.it.

Forte dei Marmi weekly market

The market on the round Piazza Marconi, lined with pine trees, is known well beyond Tuscany – less for bargains than for clothing, leather goods, cashmere and good-quality household goods. It takes place year-round on Wednesdays and, from Easter to the end of October, additionally on Sundays, in each case from 8 to 13.30 o'clock. On Wednesdays there is also a food market at Piazza Donatori di Organi, and on Sundays a farmers' market (on the 1rd, 3th and 5th Sundays at Piazza Donatori di Organi, and on the 2th and 4th in Via Assisi in Vittoria Apuana). From June to September there is also a market on Fridays in Via Mazzini in Vittoria Apuana. On the weekend of the second Sunday of the month, an antiques market takes place at Piazza Dante. Beware of supposed brand-name goods sold by street vendors: buying counterfeits is punishable in Italy, with fines for the buyer of between 100 and 7.000 euros. You will find other markets by weekday under Markets in Tuscany.

Cycling in Forte dei Marmi

Forte dei Marmi is completely flat and a typical cycling town: many locals and tourists do everything by bike. The municipality has held the title of "Comune Ciclabile" (Cycling Community) from the FIAB cycling association since 2020. The seafront promenade (Viale Italico and Viale della Repubblica) stretches approximately 4,75 km from Vittoria Apuana to the town center and is part of the Versilia cycling route; in addition, there are cycle paths through pine forests and residential areas. Bicycles can be rented in town – and in summer, cycling also saves you the hassle of finding parking.

Excursions in the area

• La Versiliana (Marina di Pietrasanta): A park with a pine forest surrounds the Villa La Versiliana, built in 1886, where Gabriele D'Annunzio lived in 1906. The park has been open to the public since 1980; in summer, it hosts the Versiliana Festival, featuring concerts, theatre performances, and panel discussions.
• Pietrasanta: The artists' town with marble workshops and sculptures on the Piazza del Duomo, is just a few kilometers inland.
• Lago di Massaciuccoli: about 20 km south, part of the Migliarino Nature Park, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli – with birdwatching and the remains of Roman baths near Massaciuccoli.
• Pisa and Lucca: Both are about 35 km apart and easily doable as a day trip.
• Pinocchio Park in Collodi: the theme park opened in 1956 around Pinocchio It's located about 55 km to the east – a nice day trip with children.
• Apuan Alps: Hiking trails and marble quarries right in the hinterland.

The beach of Forte dei Marmi

Beach resorts (Bagni)

The wide, sandy beach stretches for approximately 5 kilometers from the mouth of the Cinquale River in the north to Fiumetto in the south. Almost the entire beach is lined with beach clubs ( bagni ) that rent out sun umbrellas and loungers; the bagni in the center are among the most expensive on the Tuscan coast. Vittoria Apuana offers a slightly quieter and more family-friendly atmosphere, while Fiumetto in the south is popular with windsurfers and stand-up paddleboarders.

Free beach: Le Dune

You can swim for free, especially at the northern end of the town: The free beach "Le Dune" in Vittoria Apuana is located next to the small dune reserve on the promenade towards Cinquale. It's only about 200 meters long, but has toilets, showers, and a lifeguard during the season; you bring your own umbrella and sun loungers. There are free and paid parking lots nearby. Outside of the season, when the beach clubs are closed, the entire beach is freely accessible.

With children at the beach

The water is very shallow – ideal for small children; you have to walk quite a way out to swim. The lidos offer showers, a bar, and often playground equipment. For a day trip with children, the Pinocchio Park in Collodi (see above) is a good option. You can find more tips under Tuscany with Children.

Watersports

Sailing, windsurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding are offered at the Versilia beaches and sailing clubs; surfers gather around the pier when the waves are high. For quieter swimming spots along the coast, take a look at our page " Quiet Beaches of Tuscany ," and for an overview of all seaside resorts, see " Tuscany: Sea and Beach ."

Arrival, parking and overnight stay

How to Arrive

You can reach Forte dei Marmi by car via the A12 motorway (Versilia exit). The nearest train station is Forte dei Marmi-Seravezza-Querceta, about 4 km from the town center, with bus connections; long-distance trains stop in Viareggio (approx. 12 km). The nearest airport is Pisa (approx. 35 km). Information on toll fees for the approach can be found under Toll 2026.

Parking and ZTL

Around Piazza Garibaldi and Via Montauti, pedestrian zones and ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) sections are in effect year-round. On Sundays and public holidays, an extended ZTL is in place from 8 AM to 20 PM, encompassing Piazza Marconi and Via Carducci, among other areas. From June until the third Sunday in September, additional seasonal restrictions apply (weekday evenings, all day Sundays and public holidays). In the Roma Imperiale villa district, additional ZTL hours are in effect during the peak summer season. Parking is prohibited on Via Carducci at Piazza Marconi from 14 PM to 6 AM, with the risk of towing. Parking is regulated as follows: white lines are free (time limit as indicated by sign), blue lines are pay-and-display (meter, app, or QR code), and yellow lines are reserved. Rates are posted on-site; further details about the ZTL are published by the municipality at visitforte.com.

Stay

Hotels and holiday apartments are plentiful in the town, mostly in the higher price range. Campsites are more likely to be found in neighboring towns, such as Marina di Massa and along the coast near Pietrasanta and Viareggio. You can find our selection under Campsites directly by the sea and Motorhome pitches in Tuscany.

Compare hotels and holiday apartments in Forte dei Marmi at Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions about Forte dei Marmi