Versilia in 10 unusual itineraries: the sea, nature, and the most beautiful villages
Before coming to live here, Versilia was, for me, little more than a slightly faded vintage postcard. Over time, getting to know it better, it has acquired vibrant colors and nuances. So, I decided to share something with you through 10 itineraries and things to see in Versilia, even though the list could be much longer!
Before we begin, let’s try to understand what Versilia is!
Historically, Versilia refers to the northwestern territory of Tuscany, which is part of the province of Lucca, bordered to the north by the Seravezza River and to the south by the ancient Motrone fortress. It includes the territories of the municipalities of Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi, Seravezza, and Stazzema. Today, in common usage, when we talk about Versilia, it also includes the Camaiore basin and the coastal plain that extends to Viareggio.
Only in Versilia do scenarios and landscapes change within a few kilometers. Thus, on foot, by bicycle, or using public transportation, you can go from sunny beaches to crystal-clear pools of a stream to the rugged peaks of a mountain in just half an hour. It is a territory that includes a long sandy coastline, Lake Massaciuccoli with its reed beds, as well as the splendid peaks of the Apuan Alps and medieval villages rich in traditions, such as Pietrasanta and Camaiore, where the ancient Via Francigena passes through.
1. A stroll to the port of Viareggio
Salt and sand
The city of Burlamacco, the mask of the Viareggio Carnival, is well known for its historic bathing establishments, such as Bagno Balena, where you can enjoy all the family-friendly comforts by the sea. Those who love to stay in contact with nature will not be disappointed by the beautiful free beach of Lecciona and down to the Regional Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli.
Don’t miss a stroll among the Liberty buildings of Viareggio and the Passeggiata, perfect for those who want to go shopping. Take a break at Caffè Margherita, with its exotic charm, which has often hosted the maestro Giacomo Puccini and where today you’ll find a bookstore and a café. Art lovers won’t be disappointed by the Municipal Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, where you can also admire the works of Lorenzo Viani. [Lorenzo Viani Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Viani)
Viareggio is full of charm; in particular, I want to point out two walks that will make you breathe in plenty of iodine and feel like perfect locals: on the outer side of the port, you can walk on the outer seawall along the rocks leading to the entrance lighthouse of the port. On the other side, you can walk along the moored boats and observe the city’s most famous mural, which reads “Viareggio in you, I was born, in you, I hope to die.” In both walks, if you turn away from the sea and look inland, you will discover that you can almost touch the profile of the Apuan Alps.
2. A bike ride from Viareggio to Bocca di Serchio
Among the sea, the dunes, and the pine forest
After crossing the pedestrian bridge over the Burlamacca canal and the Viareggio Darsena, beyond the seawall leading to the lighthouse, a beach extends uninterruptedly to the mouth of the Serchio. It’s a route to be done on a bicycle, passing through the pine forest, dunes, and along the sea, allowing you to experience the scents of the Mediterranean scrub and enjoy the most beautiful and wild sea.
Here is where you can find the route with some directions: [Viareggio – Bocca di Serchio Cycling Route](https://www.piste-ciclabili.com/itinerari/5852-viareggio-bocca-di-serchio)
3. Art, theater, and Torre del Lago.
Puccini and the Lake
In July and August, the theater overlooking the lake features the works of Maestro Puccini, deeply connected to this land. The evening itself will be unforgettable, and our suggestion is to reach the theater by lake, on the boat named La Burlamacca, which provides a round-trip service starting from Massarosa to Torre del Lago: a sunset aperitif on the boat, and you’ve arrived at the theater.
For information: [Burlamacca massaciuccoli Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/Burlamaccamassaciuccoli/)
4. Liberty, a tour of Viareggio
The pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea
In the early years of the twentieth century, Viareggio saw the flourishing of many Liberty-style buildings, some of which were lost in a large fire that swept through the city. In the following years, the city was adorned with Art Deco buildings featuring ceramic decorations and unmistakable traits that we are fortunate to still find today, with Villa Argentina being an example. Among the examples you can find in the city are Caffè Margherita, the Balena bathing establishment, Caffè Eden, and many villas along the seaside avenue.
Don’t miss a tour with guides to discover Liberty in Viareggio; you can directly contact the Association Ville Borbone e Dimore Storiche della Versilia – l’Associazione Ville Borbone e Dimore Storiche della Versilia
5. Massarosa, olive groves, and lotus flowers
Strolling through villages and parish churches
The hills of Massarosa and the hamlets of Pieve a Elici, Gualdo, Montigiano, Bargecchia, Corsanico, and Mommio Castello house architectural treasures of great historical value, offering a breathtaking view of the plain stretching from Lake Massaciuccoli to Viareggio. On clearer days, the view extends to the coast from Pisa to the Gulf of Poets. Noteworthy sites include the Romanesque church of Pieve a Elici, the 17th-century organ in the church of San Michele in Corsanico, and the magical square of Gualdo on summer evenings.
It is an ideal territory to explore by bicycle for those adequately prepared for steep ascents and descents. The presence of centuries-old olive groves and vineyards characterizes these hills. In the lower, marshy part of the Municipality of Massarosa, the Lotus Flower trail is notable—a raised path of about one and a half kilometers directly above the marshy area, bordering a large cultivation of lotus flowers that, from June to September, offer the beauty of their blossoms.
6. The Lake, the reed beds, the scales, and the LIPU oasis in Massaciuccoli
Birdwatching and canoeing
A perhaps lesser-known destination is Lake Massaciuccoli, on the side of the municipality of Massarosa. Here, you can spend half a day immersed in wild nature, visiting the beautiful Lipu Oasis and walking above the lake on charming wooden walkways, observing animals hidden in their natural habitat from concealed huts. At the Lipu Oasis, you can also rent canoes and small boats to explore the reed beds and discover the scales of the lake…
Once you’ve docked the canoe, you should visit Roman Massaciuccoli, the archaeological area where an ancient Roman villa dating back to the 1st century AD was found and attributed to the Pisan family of the Venulei. The Villa dei Venulei is now an open-air museum featuring arches, thermal baths, niches, mosaics, and remnants of pipes, offering a fascinating journey back in time.
7. Pietrasanta and its pine forest: la Versiliana
The little Athens: from Michelangelo to the present day
It is definitely worth taking some time to visit Pietrasanta, the splendid ancient village that was a stopping point on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route leading to Rome. Pietrasanta is also known as the little Athens of Versilia, earning this name due to its great tradition of marble craftsmanship that has attracted, and continues to attract, renowned artists from around the world; you will find more than one work left by Botero and Mitoraj.
You can admire the Cathedral, the Collegiate Church of San Martino, and the convent of Sant’Agostino with its exhibitions, take a tour of the workshops, and finally visit the birthplace of the poet Giosuè Carducci, nestled in the woods of Valdicastello, a hamlet of Pietrasanta.
In Marina di Pietrasanta, easily accessible by bicycle, there is a splendid pine forest known as La Versiliana. In the summer, the pine forest comes alive with “Encounters at the Café” where writers and important figures from current events participate, as well as concerts featuring renowned international artists. The event program is rich and varied, but it is also a great place to cool off among the trees or play with children. Who knows, perhaps Gabriele D’Annunzio sang about this very pine forest, having lived in the villa within the Versiliana park. The pine forest is easily reached from the seafront and the beach.
8. A walk in Forte dei Marmi
shopping, shop windows and the pier
In the sixteenth century, there was nothing on the sea, only a few wooden shacks used for transporting marble and many swamps. The first stone building was constructed in 1618, used as a marble warehouse and shelter for soldiers. However, it was not until the end of the eighteenth century that Fortino was built, and the first residences were built in the 1820s. By the nineteenth century, Viareggio was already a well-known and fashionable tourist destination. On the other hand, Forte dei Marmi was the perfect place for those who wanted to stand out from the crowds, an untouched Eden where one could enjoy the sea and heliotherapy in tranquility. In the 1920s, the tourism in Forte dei Marmi changed. Italian nobles, industrialists, and wealthy bourgeoisie arrived. The Forte was no longer a wild Eden tailored for Germans and intellectuals, but an extremely chic place.
Today, in the pedestrian center, you will find all the major Italian fashion brands. Every Wednesday, the historic Forte market takes place, offering high-quality items and warm, soft cashmere at slightly more affordable prices. Having said all that, I enjoy riding my bike to Forte dei Marmi in spring and autumn along the cycle path by the seafront and taking a walk on the pier, from where the blocks of precious Carrara marble were loaded onto ships. The air is sweet and light, somewhat frivolous. There are fishermen, and you can enjoy a unique view of the beach and the Apuan Alps.
9. l’Antro del Corchia
in the heart of the Apuan Alps
If you are looking for a half-day of adventure, it is worth visiting the Antro del Corchia: it is the largest cave in Europe, located in Levigliani di Stazzema, boasting a total of 53 km of galleries and wells. Discovered in 1841 by the speleologist and geologist from Levigliani, Giuseppe Simi, the cave can be visited through a 1 km equipped path that will take you to the heart of the Apuan Alps.
The journey to discover Versilia can continue in the splendid village of Seravezza, where the Medici Palace is located. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the other Medici villas, it was built by Cosimo I between 1561 and 1565 as a temporary residence when he visited the precious marble quarries in the surrounding area.
10. The villages and territories of the Apuan Alps
the mountain that overlooks the sea, between nature and memory
Let’s finish with some suggestions of villages to visit in Versilia.
The hinterland of Versilia is full of small villages and towns to visit. Some are perched on the hills overlooking the sea of Versilia, others are directly in the Apuan Alps. Each one is magical and unique in its own way.
Casoli (Camaiore) is the “village of graffiti”, its streets, walls of houses, doors and windows are embellished with marvelous graffiti to discover while freely strolling through the village.
Pruno, a village located between Monte Forato, Altissimo, and Monte Procinto, stands there, silent and magical as you wouldn’t expect. From Pruno, several excursions on CAI paths depart towards the peaks and nearby shelters. Among the excursions, one of about 1 hour, suitable for everyone, will take you to the Cascata dell’acqua pendente (Waterfall of the Hanging Water).
The paths of Camaiore Antiqua, between nature and archaeology, are a series of fifteen loop trails scattered throughout the municipality of Camaiore: history, legends, and special places to discover. The paths of Camaiore Antiqua will guide you to discover the unusual and suggestive Versilia – all itineraries HERE.
The path of Peace of Sant’Anna di Stazzema is an excursion in the Apuan Alps that deserves to be done and experienced with the heart.
Don’t you think that Versilia is just about the sea anymore?
That’s what happened to us too, by living here we have tried to gather some of the unique and unusual things to do in Versilia, as well as some suggestions on how to experience and appreciate them.
There are many opportunities, adventures, and places to discover that are rarely talked about and that we will continue to search for and tell you about.
If you are planning a vacation in Versilia, we hope to have inspired you a little. All you have to do now is choose and embark on the adventure!
We moved to Lido di Camaiore in 2013 and since then we have been living here in Versilia, which is what we call our new home. We brought our family and our entire life here, and since then we have been managing the Petit Hotel in Lido di Camaiore.