Versilia's fine-sand coast, between historic beach clubs, free beaches and protected pinewoods from Forte dei Marmi to Viareggio, each with up-to-date sea conditions, so you can choose where to go today.
Versilia, between the provinces of Lucca and Massa-Carrara, is a straight coast of fine, golden sand that runs for kilometres with the Apuan Alps behind it. It is the riviera of the historic beach clubs and elegant promenades, from Forte dei Marmi to Viareggio, but it also keeps stretches of free beach and protected natural areas, where the dunes and the pinewood remain.
The shallow, sandy seabed makes it handy for families almost everywhere. Below are the best-known stretches, each with today's sea conditions: tap a row to open the full card with waves, wind and water temperature.
From Forte dei Marmi to Marina di Pietrasanta
The fashionable heart of Versilia: very fine sand, shallow seabeds and a long line of beach clubs, alternating with a few free accesses and the pinewoods that come close to the sea.
Forte dei Marmi has very fine, golden sand and a shallow seabed, and is almost entirely taken up by beach clubs, the symbol of its upmarket tourism. The main free beach is "Le Dune", at Vittoria Apuana; the Pontile, the pier that reaches out over the sea, is the town's most famous image.
Marina di Pietrasanta gathers the seaside districts of Tonfano, Fiumetto, Motrone and Focette: fine, golden sand, mostly beach clubs with a few free accesses. Behind it lies the Versiliana Park, a large historic pinewood a short walk from the sea.
Lido di Camaiore and Viareggio
The central stretch of the riviera, with the longest and liveliest seafronts and, at Viareggio, wide sections of free beach that run into the nature park.
Lido di Camaiore has about three kilometres of fine, golden sand, with a palm-lined promenade and a cycle path. Alongside the many beach clubs there are two free beaches, and here too there is a pier over the sea.
Viareggio lines up about ten kilometres of sand along a Liberty-style seafront. The town part, about six kilometres, is taken up by beach clubs, while towards the south there are about four kilometres of free beach, largely within the Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Park.
Between Viareggio and Torre del Lago, a free, natural beach with protected dunes in the Migliarino San Rossore Park, with no beach clubs. It is reached on foot from the Viale dei Tigli, crossing the pinewood. It is beautiful and wild, but the currents here can be dangerous: take care in the water.
Marina di Massa
At Marina di Massa the sand forms a long expanse with a very shallow seabed, protected in several places by breakwaters against erosion. Alongside the beach clubs there are some free beaches, such as Ronchi and the Partaccia with its pinewood.
When the sea is calm in Versilia
Versilia is a straight coast open to the west, so it feels westerly and southwesterly winds, the ponente and the libeccio, and southerly winds. It is generally calmer with offshore winds, from the east and northeast, and early in the morning, before the sea breeze picks up. With no headlands to provide shelter, along this shore the sea tends to behave similarly from Forte dei Marmi to Viareggio: that is why it is worth checking the day's forecast. MareCalmo takes into account each beach's exposure to wind and waves, so you can see at a glance where the sea is calmest today.
Practical tips
- Go early. In the morning the sea is usually calmer, before the westerly breeze picks up, and it is easier to find a spot.
- Beach club or free beach. Much of the coast is under concession: if you are after a free stretch, head for the marked areas or the nature-park zones.
- Watch the currents. On the free, natural stretches, such as the Lecciona, the currents can be tricky and there is often no lifeguard: swim with care.
- Check flags and ordinances. The Harbour Master's notices always come before the forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Are Versilia's beaches free or paid?
Much of the shore is taken up by beach clubs, where you pay for entry and for the hire of umbrella and sun loungers. There are, however, stretches of free beach, especially at Viareggio and in the nature-park areas, such as the Lecciona, where access to the sea is free of charge.
Which is the most beautiful beach in Versilia?
Forte dei Marmi and Lido di Camaiore are among the best known for their sand and atmosphere, but there is no single most beautiful beach: there is the most beautiful one today. On an open coast like this the right wind makes the difference, so it is worth checking the sea conditions before you set off.
When is the sea calmest?
Usually early in the morning and with offshore winds, before the westerly breeze picks up. The calm sea today page shows you in real time where to find it now.
