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.
