Massa-Carrara Province

Massa-Carrara is the northernmost province of Tuscany, bordering Liguria and Emilia-Romagna. It takes its name from the two coastal cities of Massa and Carrara . Approximately 17 people live in its 187.000 municipalities. The region is world-renowned for its white Carrara marble, which Michelangelo himself used for his sculptures.

What to expect in the province of Massa-Carrara

Carrara and the marble quarries

Above Carrara, the light-colored quarries stretch up the mountainsides; several tour operators offer guided tours of them. In the mountain village of Colonnata, the famous Lardo di Colonnata matures in marble vats.

Riviera Apuana: Marina di Massa and Marina di Carrara

Between the mountains and the sea lie wide sandy beaches with bathing establishments and promenades. The Malaspina castle overlooks Massa. For an overview of the coast, see the beaches of Tuscany and the Carrara-Pisa coastal tour.

Apuan Alps

The rugged Apuan Alps rise directly behind the coast; the highest peak, Monte Pisanino, reaches almost 1.950 meters. A regional park protects the mountains with their hiking trails and caves.

Lunigiana: Castles and thermal springs

The Lunigiana region, with its numerous castles and Pontremoli, lies in the Magra Valley. The Castello del Piagnaro houses the enigmatic stelae statues. Thermal waters can be found at the Terme di Equi and the San Carlo Terme above Massa.

Practical information

Getting there: The A12 coastal motorway has exits at Carrara and Massa, while the A15 Parma–La Spezia motorway runs through the Lunigiana region. Massa and Carrara-Avenza are located on the Genoa–Pisa railway line. The nearest airport is Pisa; the Cinque Terre in Liguria are also within easy reach.

Market days: Carrara (Monday) and Marina di Carrara (Thursday) – further dates can be found in the overview of markets in Tuscany . The location of the province is shown on the map of Tuscany.