Versilia

Versilia is known primarily as a summer resort area: Forte dei Marmi as a hotspot for the Italian and international elite, Viareggio As a historic Carnival city, its beaches are organized into "stabilimenti balneari" (beach establishments). This is a correct, but partial, interpretation.

Marble, not just sea air.

What gives Versilia its true identity lies in mountains just behind the coast: the quarries of Carrara and of Apuan Alps, from where the marble used by Michelangelo for David and Pietà came, and which continues to be extracted and worked today. PietrasantaAthens, a city just minutes from the beach, is called "Little Athens" because of its concentration of foundries, studios, and sculptors, which continues to attract artists from all over the world.

A two-tier economy

Versilia thrives on two parallel economies: seasonal beach tourism, geared towards a high-income clientele, and the marble and art industry, which sustains the region year-round, regardless of the season. Understanding this dual layer explains why the region combines coastal glamour with a serious art scene, something rare in beach destinations.

Connection with Lucca

Versilia is part of the province of Lucca and is located near thirty minutes by car from the historic centerThis makes it the natural beach for those living in the walled city. For those considering moving to the region, Versilia represents a very different lifestyle from Lucca: more coastal, more seasonal, and, in areas like Forte dei Marmi, with one of the most expensive real estate markets in all of Italy.

Want to know which Versilia beach matches your travel style? Check out the beach guide at Explore Tuscany.