On the coast of Tuscany is the city of Viareggio, beautiful beaches with golden sand and crystal clear waters and well-equipped beach clubs are the advantages of the city’s location. It is certainly a great place for a lazy beach vacation or just for a weekend getaway. It is worth taking a walk along the promenade and feeling the local seaside atmosphere.
For lovers of history and culture, Viareggio has a lot to offer. The city is home to many historical monuments, such as the Matilda Tower and Villa Argentina, which are worth visiting. In addition, Piazza Shelley, named after the famous English poet, impresses with its elegant architecture and lively atmosphere.
In addition to its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Viareggio offers a variety of entertainment options. The city is famous for its lively nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs and places with live music. And thanks to its seaside location, the city boasts a wide range of restaurants serving freshly caught fish and seafood.
Location
The city is located in Viareggio in northern Tuscany, Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Sea with a 10-kilometer long sandy beach. Viareggio is conveniently located near the provinces of Lucca (just 22 km west of Viareggio) and Pisa (about 23 km north).
Promenade: La Passeggiata di Viareggio
This long pedestrian street extends for over 2 km, and from April 26 to 29, the Passeggiata di Viareggio will transform into a real stage of taste thanks to the Versilia Food Expo. During the event, visitors will have the opportunity to discover the culinary excellence of the area, participate in talks and tastings and enjoy the sea air and a little sunshine even in the spring months. Walking along the Passeggiata is an experience not to be missed. There is nothing better than enjoying the sea air.
Museo del Carnevale di Viareggio
The museum collects and preserves the memory of the Viareggio Carnival, of the floats and of the papier-mâché techniques with which the floats are built. Inside the Cittadella del Carnevale di Viareggio it is possible to visit the Espace Gilbert with the allegorical works of the 2020 Carnival.
The Cittadella del Carnevale Museum tells the glorious history of the Viareggio Carnival through original documents, sketches, posters and models.
Inside the Museum there is also an educational stand that illustrates the different phases of the creation of a papier-mâché work, while on the ground floor of the museum building there are educational workshops where it is possible to try your hand at manipulating clay and paper to gain experience in modelling and working on a papier-mâché artifact.
Villa Argentina
The Villa Argentina in Viareggio can be considered one of the finest examples of the language of modernism. Originally built in 1868, it owes its current structure to the work carried out in 1926, when Galileo Chini contributed to its embellishment. Its decorations adorn the exterior of the villa, which represents one of the most significant examples of architectural ceramics by Fornaci Chini of Borgo San Lorenzo: checkerboard motifs, putti, plant decorations, and oriental-inspired ornaments run across the entire façade.
Bagno Maurizio
Bathing establishment with a beach front of about 30 meters, offers a choice between 3 large tents or 100 classic umbrellas with deckchairs, director’s chair and sunbed. Peculiarity of the beach is the large space between the umbrellas. In addition, the well-defined playground allows children to play in complete safety.
Bagno Marechiaro
Bagno Maurizio is a beach resort located on the promenade of Viareggio. The beautiful and exclusive surroundings welcome tourists of all ages. The attentive and friendly staff will guide guests towards the activities that best suit the expectations of a relaxing seaside holiday. The bathing facilities are spread out at a suitable distance from each other to ensure relaxation, comfort and privacy.
Pineta Di Ponente
Inside the pine forest, an enchanting swan lake captures the attention of many young spectators, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. There are also several sports trails, tennis courts, baby golf and bowling alleys, making the Pineta di Ponente a place suitable for all types of outdoor activities. In addition, there are well-kept meeting points for the elderly, who can enjoy pleasant moments of relaxation in a serene environment.
The Pineta di Ponente is a very popular urban park due to its very central location, a few steps from the famous Passeggiata.
Chiesa Di San Paolino
The church dedicated to San Paolino, the patron saint of the city, was built in the 19th century. Its architectural style refers to neoclassical elements, offering a solemn and evocative atmosphere.
Inside the church there are works of sacred art and decorations that tell the story of the local faith. The Church of San Paolino is a spiritual point of reference in the community of Viareggio, welcoming the faithful and guests with its majesty and rich religious history.
Chiesa di Sant’Andrea
The church of Sant’Andrea is located in the old part of Viareggio, in via Sant’Andrea 55.
The building was constructed together with the adjoining rectory in 1842 based on a design by the engineer Michele Cervelli of Lucca. In that year the archbishop of Lucca Giovanni Domenico Stefanelli issued the decree to establish the new parish by separating it from the church of Sant’Antonio. In 1938 the current four bells were cast by the historic Luigi Magni Foundry of San Concordio (Lucca), which are currently the oldest in the city of Viareggio.
Tower – Torre Matilde
Located along the Burlamacca Canal, Torre Matilde stands as a three-story military structure with rounded compartments, an underground cistern, and a covered terrace. The Senate of Lucca ordered the construction of this defensive tower between 1534 and 1542 to protect the port from pirate attacks.
The restored building now functions as a public cultural center, hosting temporary art exhibitions and community events throughout the year. In 1780, lightning struck the tower and killed a guard but miraculously spared the adjacent gunpowder storage, leading to an annual celebration on April 15.
