Sun, Sand, and Serenity: Viareggio Beach Italy

I’ll admit, we didn’t plan on spending much time at the coast during our week in Tuscany but I’m a sucker for the seaside so when we discovered a gorgeous stretch of sand just an hour from where we were staying in Lucca, I knew we had to spend a day there. So here’s everything you need to know about visiting Viareggio Beach, Italy.

Is Viareggio Beach Italy worth visiting?

Viareggio is one of the most popular seaside towns in Italy. It is located in the North of Tuscany and each summer it welcomes hoards of Italians looking to escape city life to lounge by the sea. Being close to tourist destinations such as Pisa and Florence means it’s easy to tag on a trip whilst you’re exploring the rest of the region.

The town of Viareggio is charming but its the beach that is the biggest attraction. The long stretch of sand is super soft and the sea is crystal clear. It’s lined with row upon row of shaded day beds for hire and has all the facilities you could need for your day. In fact we originally only planned an afternoon at Viareggio but had so much fun we returned the next day. So yes, Viareggio Beach is absolutely worth visiting!

Parts of the beach are free and parts require a small fee to visit and it can be a bit tricky to distinguish between them. The free ones tend to be busier unsurprisingly. The free part of the beach is called Lecciona.

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Top things to do at Viareggio Beach

Try some watersports

You can have a go at pretty much any watersport at Viareggio Beach from swimming in the sea to paddle boarding. If you’re just on a quiet day trip and don’t fancy anything too extreme I recommend hiring a pedalo from right on the beach.

Book into a beach club

Most of the beach clubs in Viareggio are pretty low level, not the all day champagne events you’ll find elsewhere. Most have day beds and cabanas you can use on the sand, showers, toilets and lockers to make your day easier. Some have their own pools and restaurants. They’re not heaps of money and I think well worth it.

Bagno Balena is one of the most luxurious with 5 pools, a spa and even a kids club. We really enjoyed Bagno Il Sole which was a lot smaller but still had everything we needed.

Explore the Art Nouveau Town

Viareggio is a town full of stunning art nouveau architecture which is now home to fabulous restaurants and charming shops. It also has a lovely seafront promenade which is called La Passeggiata.

Attend Carnivale

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Viareggio during February then you’ll be able to attend one of it’s amazing promenade carnivals. These are held on various days during lent and makes for a real celebratory atmosphere. The carnival has been running in Viareggio for almost 150 years and displays some of the best floats, masks and mechanical artworks in the world.

Check out the full Viareggio Carnival Program.

Is Viareggio Beach Italy good for kids?

Viareggio is a great place to visit in Tuscany with kids. There are heaps of family friendly restaurants lining the sand, and plenty of little shops for all their beach essentials. Viareggio has beach showers, toilets, shaded day beds and changing facilities. But it still might be a good idea to book into one of the beach clubs which will have better facilities and places to store your stuff while you play in the sea.

The water is sparkling, clear and clean with a gradual descent to deeper water. This means little ones can happily play safely in the sea. And once they’ve had enough of paddling and sandcastle buildings you will have access to all the facilities you need for a day at the beach.

Best restaurants near Viareggio Beach

Food in Viareggio is practically as important as the beach. It’s all about super fresh seafood and local Tuscan specialities. If you’re looking for something casual then head to one of the boats which have been converted into street food stalls where you can enjoy fresh grilled fish cooked while you wait.

If you’re looking for more of a sit down restaurant then you’ll be spoilt for choice. Have a wander around town and see which ones you fancy. Or you could head straight to the oldest trattoria in town, Trattoria Buonamico which serves traditional Tuscan seafood presented beautifully. Or for a real treat, book in to Romano, another excellent fish restaurant which has a Michilin star.

Where to stay in Viareggio Beach Italy

Being such a popular seaside destination, there are loads of great places to stay in Viareggio. For the ultimate in luxury book the glamorous Hotel Plaza e de Russie which is located right on the promenade. It’s just 50 metres to the beach and home to one of the most amazing restaurants in town. Rooms sleep between 3 and 4 so it’s perfect if your visiting Viareggio with kids.

Or for something a little less fancy but just as good, try the Vi Suites which is a super sweet aparthotel close to the beach. It’s great value and each suite has a small kitchen area making prepping food really easy.

Or if value and convenience are what you’re after and maybe you need extra space for your family, a rental is always a good option. Viareggio has loads of gorgeous rental properties, many that are right in town. Have a look on VRBO for the best ones.

Shopping at Viareggio Beach

There are daily markets to explore in Viareggio selling everything from traditional leather goods to local snacks. These always have a lively atmosphere and are good places to rub shoulders with local artisans.

For something more high end, head to Viale Giosuè Carducci, home to luxurious brands, trendy boutiques and well known western labels.

Via Reggio Italy nightlife

The beaches close at 6pm so then what do you do in Viareggio? Don’t worry, it’s not time to head home once the beach closes. Viareggio seems to come alive at night. Plenty of shops remain open and the bar and restaurant culture really wakes up. It’s not rowdy, more long lazy dinners watching the sun go down. And there are always plenty of places to watch live music.

When is best to visit Viareggio Beach

Viareggio is busiest, hottest and priciest during August and September as it’s prime school holiday season. Although it doesn’t feel too cramped, if you can, you may want to avoid these months. Tuscany enjoys lovely warm weather from April to November so any of these months will be lovely. Remember Carnival month is February in to March so it will be busy, but…. you get to experience carnival!

How to get to Viareggio

Viareggio is well connected to the rest of Tuscany by bus and train. The stations are only 15 minutes walk to the promenade and beachfront. If you’re visiting for carnival, it’s best to arrive by public transport as parking will be difficult.

If you are driving to Viareggio during quieter periods you’ll find plenty of parking areas near the promenade, or if you’re really lucky on some of the side streets near the beach. You can also park for free in one of the large out of town parking areas. You then hop on a bus into the centre of town. Honestly, it’s easier than it sounds!

How far is Viareggio beach, Italy from an airport

To fly into Viareggio you have two options, Pisa or Florence. Pisa is a lot closer but Florence probably has more international flights.

Pisa to Viareggio

It takes 35 minutes to drive from Pisa airport to Viareggio. You’ll take the SS1 all the way in, or you can take the E80 and A11 which is a bit quicker but involves a toll road. If you want to get the train from Pisa to Viareggio it’s super simple. Head to Pisa central station then it’s less than 20 minutes on train and less than €4 each.

Florence to Viareggio

From Florence airport it will take it’s just over an hours drive on the A11 and E80 which again includes a toll road. To travel by train head to the central station in Florence, from there the train is around an hour and a half and costs less that €10. You can either travel direct or with a quick change in Pisa.

Have a look at these other Tuscany posts.