Viareggio, Italy: Travel Info & Beaches

Viareggio in Italy is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the northwest of the Tuscany region. Here, you can find everything that makes the sun-hungry vacationer’s heart beat faster. Beautiful, endlessly long sandy beaches, blue sea and the famous Italian lidos with the countless colorful umbrellas conjure up a truly unique ambience. The palm-lined promenade with its colorful neo-Renaissance buildings is also absolutely impressive, forming the tourist center of Viareggio with many pretty boutiques, ice cream parlors and excellent restaurants. In addition, the spectacular excursions and attractions in the surrounding area make this place a really popular vacation destination on the coast of Tuscany.

In this travel guide, we give you all the important information and tips about Viareggio in Italy. In addition, we show the most beautiful beaches, the best things to do in Viareggio, amazing day trips and where to stay in Viareggio.

Viareggio

General Information about Viareggio

The history of Viareggio as a seaside resort dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. Popular at that time with the well-heeled and artists, much of the charm of this glamorous period has been preserved. Nowadays, Viareggio is a coastal town with about 62,000 inhabitants and moreover probably one of the most popular vacation resorts in Tuscany. But this place is not only recommended to experience in summer. Viareggio is also charming in the off-season. What many do not know, next to Venice, Viareggio hosts one of the largest carnivals in Italy in the winter.

Strolling along the promenade, you can admire beautiful colorful buildings and villas in Art Nouveau style, which are still well-preserved and give Viareggio a very unique flair. However, the coastal town is also famous for its wonderful beach, which is ideal for swimming and is considered one of the longest sandy beaches in Italy! The charming beach resorts, the so-called bagnos, line the coast and conjure up an exceptional ambience with the many colorful umbrellas.

Viareggio

Best Things to Do in Viareggio

During a visit to Viareggio, in addition to miles of beaches, you can expect to see some interesting attractions. The highlight is the picturesque seafront promenade, where it’s all about seeing and being seen! Also a visit to the big marina and the long pier are worthwhile. Here are the most amazing things to do in Viareggio:

The Promenade of Viareggio

The kilometer-long promenade of Viareggio, also known as “La Passeggiata di Viareggio”, is the absolute highlight and also the most important attraction in the vacation resort. Especially in summer, this promenade is well visited. But also on weekends in autumn, winter and spring, there is always something going on there. Locals, but also many tourists, come here especially for strolling and shopping in the numerous stores and boutiques. In addition to the noble Italian fashion brands, you can also find international stores and inexpensive souvenir stores.

In between there are always really cool bars and partly very exclusive restaurants, but also many ice cream parlors and cafés. Behind them are bagno after bagno, the popular beach resorts of the resort, which provide access to the beach and sea.

Viareggio

Viareggio

The Pier of Viareggio

Absolutely charming and definitely one of the best things to do is a visit to the large pier in Viareggio. It is located at the southern end, just in front of the big marina. The long pier reaches over 500 meters into the sea and offers a magnificent view of the coast and the port. At the beginning of the pier there are some cozy cafés and small boats selling delicious street food. Further out, you can admire the Monumento L`Attesa, a popular photo spot in Viareggio. A visit in the early morning is recommended because the fishermen bring in their catch and sell freshly caught fish directly from the boat. Also in the evening during sunset the atmosphere here is uniquely beautiful.

Viareggio

Viareggio

The Beaches of Viareggio

On the coast of Viareggio are the longest sandy beaches in Italy. Over a length of almost 10 kilometers, you can enjoy a velvety, bright sandy beach as far as the eye can see. Up to 200 meters wide, these offer plenty of space for relaxing, building sandcastles and swimming. Perfect also for children, who love to play here in the shallow sea. If you want to go swimming in Viareggio, you have to pay a fee for most of the private beaches. This includes, depending on the beach umbrellas, sunbeds and sometimes showers, changing rooms, toilet or even a swimming pool.

Beach Viareggio

Beach Viareggio

Beach Viareggio

Beach Viareggio

Free beaches can be found in Viareggio in the south of the coast, under the port at the end of Viale Europa. Here you can spread out your towel for free and enjoy kilometers of sandy beaches, which are even part of a natural park. More beautiful beaches in the area around Viareggio can be found at Lido di Camaiore, Marina di Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi and Marina di Massa.

Popular with tourists, but also with locals, the extensive beaches of Viareggio are considered among the most beautiful in Tuscany and guarantee a unique vacation feeling.

Viareggio

Things to do near Viareggio

If you are looking for a change from the beach and the sea, a vacation in Viareggio offers you the possibility to explore some of the most beautiful attractions of Tuscany on a day trip. Here are the best destinations for day trips in the area:

A must-visit near Viareggio is the city of Pisa, only 22 kilometers away, with its world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and picturesque old town.

Around Viareggio are some beautiful nature attractions, such as the enchanting Migliarino San Rossore Nature Park and the romantic Massaciuccoli Lake.

Definitely worth an excursion from Viareggio is the old town of Lucca, only about 26 kilometers away, with its impressive city walls and beautiful towers.

Also worth seeing are the mountains of Carrara, which is famous for its snow-white marble. Interesting guided tours of the quarry are offered on site.

Torre Guinigi Tower

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Migliarino San Rossore Nature Park

Where to Stay in Viareggio

Viareggio offers beach holidaymakers a wide range of fabulous accommodations. From 5-star hotels to vacation apartments and well-kept guesthouses, you can find everything here. Here are our recommendations for the most beautiful places to stay in Viareggio…It’s worth a look!

• 5-Star Hotel: The Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte is one of the best hotels in Viareggio. Unique here is the roof terrace pool with bar and the restaurant with two Michelin stars.
• Apartment on the Beach: The Attico Sulla Spiaggia is a penthouse apartment and delights its guests with its location directly on the beach and the terrace with breathtaking sea view.
• Vacation Home: The Casa vacanze da Antonio is a large, comfortable and bright house with a great outdoor terrace. Also the beach is not far away!
• 4-Star Hotel: The Palace Hotel has very tasteful rooms and a lot of charm. Especially great here is the delicious breakfast and the rooftop bar with a wonderful view.

Find the best accommodation in Viareggio:

 Booking.com

More Highlight in Tuscany:

• San Gimignano, Italy: Visit the City of Towers

• Top 15 Amazing Things to Do in Florence

• Arezzo, Italy: The Enchanting Medieval City

• Montepulciano, Italy: A Guide to the Wine City

• Saturnia Hot Springs, Italy: Natural Baths of Tuscany

• Volterra, Italy: The Etruscan City in Tuscany

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