Holidays in Versilia between sea and mountains

Are you undecided between the sea and the mountains? Well, we have the right solution for you! Versilia manages to satisfy every type of traveller with its beautiful and varied territory where scenery and landscapes change within a few kilometres.

Golden beaches, rugged mountain peaks and charming towns make it the ideal destination for a relaxing, natural holiday to suit every need. And it also enjoys a wonderful climate, in fact, thanks to its proximity to both the sea and the mountains, there is always a pleasant warmth during the summer and temperatures are never biting in the winter.

Sandwiched between the sea and the Apuan Alps mountain range, this beautiful region of north-western Tuscany is dotted with archaeological sites, Romanesque parish churches, medieval villages, fortresses and castles that bear witness to its long history. Moreover, its location is extremely strategic for those wishing to visit the main cities of art in Tuscany. There are seven municipalities that make it up, rich in small hidden treasures.

For lovers of sun, heat and sunbathing, the Versilia coastline is world-famous for its long beaches of fine sand washed by a sea with crystal-clear water that slopes gently out to sea, allowing everyone, including children, to enjoy themselves. For water sports enthusiasts, the Versilia sea is ideal for surfing, snorkelling and diving. Among other things, the Versilia Riviera is famous for its nightlife and the numerous clubs where you can have fun and go wild until late at night.

Among the seaside resorts of Versilia is Forte dei Marmi, one of the most exclusive and worldly tourist destinations in Italy. Surrounded by luxuriant pine forests and tree-lined avenues, it has a fine sandy shoreline with perfectly organised bathing establishments offering every kind of convenience and comfort. The town also boasts a particularly lively cultural and artistic scene. For those who like to keep the early hours, here is the famous discotheque La Capannina di Franceschi, opened back in 1929. Continuing south along the coast, we come to Marina di Pietrasanta, a quiet and elegant seaside resort, ideal for families, with a wide sandy shoreline and one of the most beautiful seabeds in Versilia. It offers a really wide choice of bathing establishments equipped with every comfort. The cultural aspect also reaches its peak in this area: Pietrasanta, also known as the ‘Little Athens’, offers a wonderful and impressive artistic heritage. Its streets teem with exhibition spaces and works by great international artists.

Immediately after Marina di Pietrasanta is Lido di Camaiore, a perfect destination for those travelling with families and children. It has about three kilometres of beach with fine sand on which there are modern, well-equipped bathing establishments. Camaiore, a town of ancient foundation with a characteristic historic centre featuring Romanesque architecture, is worth a visit. Another internationally renowned seaside resort is Viareggio, a town also rightly called the ‘Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea’. Set between two large pine forests, the Levante and Ponente, it is an elegant and refined holiday resort suitable for tourists of all ages. It hosts around ten kilometres of long golden beaches, including bathing establishments and free beaches. Its town centre is rich in architectural beauties in Art Nouveau style. Part of Viareggio’s territory is the hamlet of Torre del Lago, where the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini lived for thirty years, producing his greatest works.

But Versilia is not only sea and beaches. It is framed by the Apuan Alps, an imposing and fascinating mountain range renowned throughout the world for its abysses, karst caves and marble. Even in the distance, one can see the large clear areas that correspond to the quarries of the precious white marble, which have been worked since Roman times. Michelangelo used to come here personally to choose the marble to use for his sculptures. For those who love to be in close contact with nature, Versilia reserves fantastic surprises just waiting to be discovered. These are natural areas that, in many cases, present an astonishing encounter between the sea and the mountains. They are perfect for nature walks or trekking, but also for a simple picnic.

The Apuan Alps Regional Park was established in 1985 with the aim of protecting the mountains and managing marble extraction. The area is criss-crossed by a vast network of paths, many of which are accessible to all and suitable for families. In addition, there are numerous possibilities for mountain bike excursions along the paths and dirt roads. In the heart of the Apuan Park is Seravezza, a delightful village set, like a gem, in the imposing rocks of its high mountains that attracts a large number of travellers thanks to the sylvan and unspoilt setting in which it is set. Its most interesting monument is the Palazzo Mediceo, a splendid building recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also close to Versilia is the Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli Regional Park, another marvellous protected natural area that includes wetlands, marshes, coastal dunes and the large lake of Massaciuccoli. A trip to Versilia would not be complete without taking into consideration the verdant nature that characterises the area.