Best Beaches North of Pisa: Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi and Marina di Carrara

The coast of northern Tuscany — from Viareggio up to Marina di Carrara — is one of the most accessible stretches of beach in central Italy. Within 30 kilometres you have fine-sand beaches backed by the white peaks of the Apuan Alps, working fishing towns, and one of the most exclusive seaside resorts in the country. All three are within easy reach of Pisa by train, making a beach afternoon a natural extension of a city visit.

This coast operates at two speeds. Forte dei Marmi runs at a luxury register — private beach concessions, designer boutiques, €40 sunbeds. Viareggio and Marina di Carrara are more democratic: genuinely local towns that happen to have excellent beaches. Below is an honest assessment of all three.

Viareggio

Viareggio is the most complete of the three towns — it has a life outside of summer, anchored by its famous February carnival (one of the largest in Italy, running since 1873) and a long tradition of boat-building. The seafront passeggiata runs for about 3 km, flanked by Art Nouveau bathhouses from the early 20th century, many still operating as beach establishments (bagni). The beach itself covers around 10 km of fine sand, split between private stabilimenti and free public stretches (spiagge libere) at the northern and southern ends.

The restaurants worth visiting are the ones just off the promenade, not on it. Viareggio is one of the strongest spots on the Tuscan coast for seafood: fresh pasta with clams, grilled orata, cacciucco (the robust fish stew found throughout this coastline). Expect €25–35 per head at a decent trattoria.

Getting there: 25 minutes by train from Pisa Centrale on the Pisa–La Spezia line. Frequent daily services.

Forte dei Marmi

Forte dei Marmi has been the preferred summer address of wealthy Italians since the early 20th century. The town is largely invisible from the beach road — hidden behind a pine forest (pineta) of liberty-style villas, discreet and expensive. The beach establishments are organised to a standard rarely seen elsewhere in Italy: immaculate facilities, restaurant service on the sand, sunbeds positioned with military precision. Prices reflect this: €35–60 for a sunbed and umbrella in peak season is normal.

What makes it worth considering is the backdrop. The Alpi Apuane rise directly behind the pineta, their peaks white with exposed marble — the same marble quarried here since antiquity. The Wednesday morning market in the town centre is the best in the area. And the 18th-century fortress the town is named after sits in the central piazza, restored and occasionally used for events.

This is not a budget destination. But for one well-organised beach day in a setting that is distinctly Italian rather than generic resort, it earns its reputation. If you can stay overnight, the town has more depth than the beach suggests.

Getting there: 10 minutes by car south of Viareggio. No direct train — take the Vaibus bus from Viareggio station, roughly every 30 minutes in summer.

Marina di Carrara

Carrara marble has been extracted from the Apuan Alps for over 2,000 years — the Romans quarried it for public monuments, and Michelangelo made three separate trips to select stone for the Pietà and the David. The quarry complex above the town can be visited on guided tours; the Museo Civico del Marmo covers the history in detail for those who prefer something less physically demanding.

Marina di Carrara is the port town below the quarries — a working waterfront with a younger, livelier beach scene than its neighbours to the south. Prices are lower, the atmosphere is louder, and the nightlife is more active. The beaches are good quality and less crowded than Forte dei Marmi in peak season. Along the lungomare you will find decent seafood restaurants; the local speciality worth trying is lardo di Colonnata — cured fatback from the quarry village a few kilometres inland, eaten on toast or with bread.

Getting there: 20 minutes by train from Viareggio; 35 minutes from Pisa Centrale. The station is around 15 minutes’ walk from the beach.

Practical notes

Best time to visit: June and September offer the best balance — warm water, fewer crowds, and lower prices. July and August are crowded and hot; private bagni fill up fast and weekend traffic on the coast road is heavy. A weekday visit in peak season makes a noticeable difference.

Free beaches: All three towns have spiagge libere. In Viareggio they are at the northern and southern ends of the seafront. In Marina di Carrara there is more free beach near the port. In Forte dei Marmi, free stretches exist but are limited — private concessions dominate.

Base: Viareggio has the best range of hotels and restaurants for an overnight stay. Forte dei Marmi suits a longer stay if budget allows. Marina di Carrara is best as a day trip combined with the quarries.

If you are continuing north along the coast, La Spezia and the Cinque Terre are 30–40 minutes by train from Marina di Carrara — a natural extension for anyone with an extra day on the Ligurian coast.