Coastal Tour: Carrara-Pisa

The coastal tour from Carrara to Pisa leads through the northernmost section of the Tuscan coast: from the marble mountains of the Apuan Alps, across the pristine sandy beaches of Versilia and the seaside resort of Viareggio, to the mouth of the Arno River at Marina di Pisa. Almost all the beaches have fine sand, a gentle slope, and are easily accessible – ideal for families. Here you will find the stages, beaches, and market days of the route.

Data from OpenStreetMap - Posted under ODbL

Carrara: City of Marble

Carrara (population around 60.000) lies in the far north of Tuscany; neighboring La Spezia is already part of Liguria. Since Roman times, white Carrara marble has been quarried in the mountains above the city, and Michelangelo himself selected his blocks from it. Many buildings, fountains, and even curbs in the city itself are made of marble; the renowned Accademia di Belle Arti art academy is housed in the former palace of the Cybo-Malaspina princely family.

Visit the marble quarries

The quarries are located in three valleys above the town: Torano, Fantiscritti (Miseglia), and Colonnata. In the mountain village of Colonnata, Lardo di Colonnata (IGP), a seasoned cured pork fat, is matured in marble vats. You can see the quarries on your own from the road or visit them with a guided jeep tour – offers can be found at GetYourGuide.

Marina di Carrara and Marina di Massa

Down by the sea lie the port and seaside resort of Marina di Carrara and the neighboring Marina di Massa, with their long sandy beaches and promenade. Both will be awarded the Blue Flag in 2026. Directly behind the beaches rise the Apuan Alps – a view found nowhere else on the Tuscan coast.

Versilia: Forte dei Marmi to Lido di Camaiore

South of Massa begins the Versilia coast. Forte dei Marmi is the most elegant seaside resort on the coast, boasting a pier, boutiques, and well-maintained beach clubs. Inland, the artists' town of Pietrasanta is worth a visit , with its marble workshops and sculptures in the cathedral square; on the coast lies its seaside resort, Marina di Pietrasanta. Further along is Lido di Camaiore, with its wide sandy beach and promenade. Read more about the region under Versilia Coastal Landscape.

Viareggio and Torre del Lago

Viareggio ist mit gut 61.000 Einwohnern die größte Stadt der Versilia. Ihr Name geht auf eine Festung zurück, die Lucca und Genua 1172 an der „Via Regia“ errichteten. Seit dem 19. Jahrhundert ist Viareggio Seebad; an der Uferpromenade stehen Gebäude im Jugendstil (Liberty), darunter das Gran Caffè Margherita, in dem Giacomo Puccini Stammgast war. Bekannt ist Viareggio vor allem für seinen Karneval mit riesigen Pappmaché-Wagen, der seit 1873 gefeiert wird.

Puccini Lake Tower

In the Torre del Lago district on Lake Massaciuccoli, Puccini lived from 1891 onwards in a villa that can now be visited as a museum (Villa Museo Puccini); he is also buried there. In summer, the Puccini Festival takes place on an open-air stage on the lakeshore, featuring performances of his operas.

Image left: Art in Carrara, Agostini Picture Library. Middle image: Pisa, Cathedral, Fototeca ENIT. Right image: Torre del Lago Puccini, Fototeca ENIT

From Viareggio to the mouth of the Arno

Between Viareggio and Pisa lies the Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli Nature Park, with its pine forests, dunes, and Lake Massaciuccoli. The A12 motorway bypasses Pisa to the west – a few kilometers are all it takes to visit the Leaning Tower. Tickets for the tower and the cathedral are available on the official website of the Opera della Primaziale Pisana or through GetYourGuide.

Marina di Pisa, Tirrenia and Calambrone

Marina di Pisa liegt an der Arnomündung und hat mit seinen Villen im Liberty-Stil viel vom Flair eines Seebads des 19. Jahrhunderts bewahrt; der Strand ist hier teils steinig, mit Wellenbrechern. Weiter südlich folgen die breiten Sandstrände von Tirrenia und Calambrone mit Pinienwald im Hinterland. Alle drei Badeorte gehören zur Stadt Pisa und tragen 2026 die Bandiera Blu.

Weekly markets along the route

Location	Market day	Important notes
Marble quarries	Monday	morning
Marina di Carrara	Thursday	morning
Forte dei Marmi	Wednesday	mornings, and additionally on Sundays
Pietrasanta	Thursday	morning
Viareggio	Thursday	morning, Piazza Cavour
Torre del Lago	Friday	morning

You can find all market days under Markets in Tuscany . Those traveling by campervan can find pitches under Campervan pitches in Tuscany and Campsites directly by the sea ; a comparison of all beaches is available under Tuscany: Sea and Beach.

Frequently asked questions about the coast between Carrara and Pisa