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Select Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Camaiore, Pietrasanta for cities in Versilia.

Viareggio & Versilia Riviera hotels, attractions, practicalities

Viareggio is on the Versilia Riviera, a beautiful stretch of coast, comprising several seaside resorts, in Northern Tuscany, on the Ligurian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean.
It is close to many Tuscan cities of art, among which Florence, Pisa, Lucca.
Nearby is Torre del Lago Puccini, with its charming lake and the villa where the great composer Giacomo Puccini lived.
Versilia resorts are Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore, Forte dei Marmi, Marina di Pietrasanta.

Viareggio is the main centre, a town of about 60,000 inhabitants. It's not only a resort but also a major town where you can find all sorts of shops and services. From Viareggio in the summer you can take daily boat trips to many places, including the Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Lerici, the Bay of Poets and the isle of Elba. You can even reach Corsica: the Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio is an annual boat race from the Versilia resort to Bastia, in Corsica, and back.

The Riviera della Versilia, as it's called in Italian, is a very popular holiday destination during the summer, when Italians leave the hot cities en masse, especially in the middle of August (the 15th of August, the day of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary, is known as Ferragosto and it's the peak of the summer holidays), and head for the seaside or the mountains. "Mare o montagna?" is a common question debated in families during those days. Luckily, Versilia has got both sea and high mountains. The Apuane Alps range of mountains is the immediate hinterland of Versilia Riviera, and forms the dramatic backdrop to its colourful, trendy beaches.

Versilia spreads across several kilometers of sandy beaches, each resort joining into the next. The beaches are covered with big umbrellas and deckchairs, belonging to the many fee-charging bathing establishments. Free beaches are few. But you are entitled to walk along the shoreline for all its length and to bathe wherever you like, even if you're not a customer of any bathing establishment.

Versilia has been famous in Italy for its nightlife since time immemorial. Its celebrated nightclubs (La Bussola is the top venue in Italy) and, more recently, discos have been synonymous with rich-kid, trendy summer fun since the beginning of the 20th century, but reached their peak in the 1960s.

Viareggio has a large and important yacht harbour. The town boasts shipyards world-renowned for the construction of yachts and leisure boats. Rich people from all over the world, like Dodi Al-Fayed, have had luxury yachts built by Viareggio shipyards.

But Viareggio is not just fashionable spots: it also possesses a prominent dimension of natural beauty. It has two vast pinewoods, one (Pineta di Ponente) on the north side of town and one on the south side (Pineta di Levante). The latter in particular is of considerable naturalistic value and is part of a protected area, the Migliarino-San Rossore National Park. The Park runs south along the coastline from Viareggio almost as far as Pisa, comprising wild beaches, often deserted, and the bush behind them, rich in pinewoods and Mediterranean vegetation. You can easily hire a bicycle to explore the beautiful paths of both Viareggio pinewoods.

Last but not least, a community of artists and writers has been part of Viareggio life for a long time.

President Hotel is a four stars hotel in Viareggio, right on the sea front promenade, in the center of Viareggio, in the Tuscan Riviera of Versilia.
Recently renovated in Art Decò style, or Liberty as it's called in Italy, the Hotel President offers panoramic lounge, with view over the sea, and American Bar.
Art Decò or Liberty is a very popular style in Viareggio. Many beautiful buildings on the seafront esplanade and in other parts of town are constructed in Art Decò or Liberty architecture style.
The Hotel President has American breakfast buffet, national and international cuisine.
Internet connection is available.
All rooms have individual climate control, direct dial telephone, mini bar, radio, satellite TV, safety box, hair dryer.
Overall opinion. The 5th most popular Viareggio hotel according to Trip Advisor Guide.
It is recommended by Fodors Guide, with this review: "Quiet elegance is the keynote here. The rooms have a slightly formal decor, high ceilings, and pastel walls; some look directly out at the sea, across the promenade. The hotel bar has an outdoor terrace and furniture from the early 1900s. 31 rooms. Restaurant, bar."
This is Travel Guide recommends it too, saying: "Characterful establishment convenient for resort's main attractions. 100 yds back from sandy beach and long line of shops, restaurants and boutiques. Bus stop 30 yds. Smart 6-storey cream and white edifice (1940s). Interior: Simple elegance. Cool cream-coloured reception has wrought-iron staircase and assorted antique and reproduction furniture. Similar comfortable lounge with wooden bar counter. Conventional top-floor restaurant has terrace with panoramic views. Grounds: Tiny elevated terrace with canvas sun umbrellas and garden furniture."
Guests who stayed here have given this hotel a high rating on all: facilities, cleanliness, location, service, spaciousness of rooms, welcoming.

General price range per double room: 100 - 220 euros

Website: President Hotel in Viareggio

MORE VIAREGGIO HOTELS & LOCAL GUIDE IS LOADING BELOW

Viareggio, Camaiore, Lido di Camaiore & Versilia hotels, guide & attractions

On this page go to:
Hotels in Viareggio
Hotels in Camaiore, Lido di Camaiore & Versilia
Viareggio & Italy hotels, flights, cars, rail reservations
Versilia Riviera resorts: useful numbers
The Apuane mountains
Viareggio Carnival

Hotels in Viareggio

Grand Hotel Royal is a four stars hotel which has always been a landmark in Viareggio. You can see its characteristic "turreted" art deco silhouette (picture, far right) towering over the town skyline.
The hotel, the grandest, most elegant in Viareggio, is in a prime location, right on the seafront, Viareggio's famous "passeggiata", or promenade. Half a minute's walk from the hotel, and you're on the sandy beach. One of the two large pinewoods of Viareggio is directly behind the hotel.

Grand Hotel Royal is set in its own large private garden.
The hotel has a large outdoor swimming pool, indoor and open air restaurants, lounge, laundry, babysitting, fax, photocopying, valet services, car park, meeting facilities, catering services, local events booking, bicycles rentals.
There are many sports facilities near the hotel, including a golf course, ping-pong, tennis courts.
Rooms have air conditioning, modem/dataport, cable TV, mini bar, hairdryer, in-room safe.
There is sometimes a minimum stay of a few nights during busy periods.

General price range per room, including breakfast
Single rooms: 70 - 150 euros
Double rooms: 130 - 200 euros
Children of 12 and under stay free if sharing beds with parents.

First website: Grand Hotel Royal in Viareggio

Second website: Grand Hotel Royal in Viareggio

Overall opinion. According to Trip Advisor Guide, it's the 6th most popular hotel in Viareggio. The hotel is recommended by Fodors Guide, with this review: "A hotel since 1899, the Grand Hotel Royal looks majestic from the outside, and sweepingly high ceilings maintain the feeling inside. The salone, which doubled as a ballroom in the past, is very romantic, with high ceilings and pink table cloths; dinner is served here in cooler months. There's also a yellow breakfast room flooded with sunlight. Individual rooms have tile floors, and some have balconies overlooking the sea (additional charge). 102 rooms. Restaurant, minibars, swimming pool, bicycles, Ping-Pong, meeting room."
This is Travel Guide also recommends the hotel, saying: "Fine sandy beach, smart shops and pizzerias all within 100 yds. Bus stop 75 yds. Convenient for beach, restaurants and shops. Imposing 6-storey cream-coloured 19th-century palace with elegant arched windows and balustraded balconies and terracotta-tiled roof with a pair of towers. Interior: Spacious high-ceilinged lobby has some period furniture and various antiques. Ballroom-style restaurant with skylights and tall arched windows. Extensive rear garden with mature trees, flower beds and well-tended lawn; a few shady corners with numerous hammocks. Spacious covered restaurant terrace. Large rectangular swimming pool with small snack bar. Front garden and gravel drive shielded from busy road by mature hedges and wall."

Website: Grand Hotel Royal in Viareggio

Hotel Palace is a four stars hotel in Viareggio, situated in the middle of the splendid seafront promenade, overlooking the long stretches of sandy beach for which Viareggio is rightly famous.

The Palace Hotel has a solarium, a roof garden with an amazing, breathtaking view, American bar, restaurant, garage, banquet hall, meeting rooms and convention halls.

All rooms & suites have sound-proof windows, individually controlled air conditioning, mini bar, direct dialling telephone, radio and color TV set with remote control.
There is sometimes a minimum stay of a few nights during busy periods.
Overall opinion. It's the 2nd most popular hotel in Viareggio according to Trip Advisor Guide.
It is recommended by This is Travel Guide, with this review: "Less than 100 yds across to sandy beach, cafes and stylish boutiques lining promenade. Rail station ¾ ml. Bus stop 50 yds. Large 4-storey Regency-style corner building (1921) has ornate grey and white façade and protruding wrought-iron balconies. Entrance in side street 20 yds from esplanade.
Interior: Old-style charm and elegance. Large lobby has patterned tiled floor, moulded-plaster ceilings and chandeliers. Narrow restaurant in similar style. Cosy bar/lounge. Series of comfortable halls and lounges. Grounds: Spacious rooftop terrace with bar, stylish rattan furniture and panoramic views. Many flower baskets, shrubs and loungers.
Opinion: High-quality well-maintained option with stylish nostalgic ambience, a stone's throw from beach and various bars and retailers."
Guests who stayed here have been very happy with this hotel. Here are some typical guests' reviews:
"We had an AMAZING time in Via Reggio and the hotel was wonderful! The hotel staff was so nice and helpful....I would definitely recommend this hotel to others!"
"Great Hotel, wonderful staff, excellent facilities, the perfect start to our honeymoon."
"This hotel, like the resort, has an air of faded gentility, which I find quite pleasant. Service is a little austere and formal, but then I find that a general feature of Italian hotels - but they were very accommodating and helpful. Would recommend both hotel & resort."
"There was no bar during our stay due to refurbishment, which was a bit of a disappointment, but the staff were wonderful, especially as we arrived with an unexpected extra guest. Highly recommended."
"The hotel staff were very welcoming and helpful, the hotel is in a great location with fantastic rooftop bar/terrace, the facilities are generally very good."

General price range per room or suite
Single rooms: 100 - 140 euros
Double rooms: 140 - 190 euros
Double rooms with sea view: 140 - 210 euros
Double rooms with sea view & balcony: 140 - 210 euros
Double Deluxe rooms: 200 - 260 euros
Suites: 250 - 400 euros

Website: Palace Hotel in Viareggio

Hotel Liberty is a three stars hotel right in Viareggio center, in Viale Manin, the beautiful tree-lined, palm-fringed sea-front promenade avenue.
Stylish, attractive and decorated in a loose Art Decò fashion, Hotel Liberty is close to all Viareggio's facilities like shops, banks, services, discos, bars, meeting places and clubs.
The hotel has all the modern amenities.
Overall opinion. Guests who stayed here were generally happy with the hotel, especially the staff, and thought it was good value for money.

General price range per room
Single rooms: 40 - 80 euros
Double rooms: 80 - 130 euros

Website: Liberty Hotel in Viareggio

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Hotels in Camaiore, Lido di Camaiore, Marina di Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi

Hotel Locanda Le Monache is an inn whose name ("The Nuns" in Italian) is derived from an ancient convent. A three stars hotel situated in the center of the old town of Camaiore, in the hilly countryside off the beaten track of the riviera resorts, the locanda (inn) has an old-worldy charm.
All rooms have en-suite bathroom with shower, TV, telephone and safe.
Overall opinion. Le Monache has got consistently excellent opinions from guests who stayed here, on every aspect of their staying.

General price range per room, including breakfast
Single rooms: 40 - 50 euros
Double rooms: 60 - 70 euros
Triple rooms: 80 - 90 euros

Website: Hotel Locanda Le Monache in Camaiore

Hotel Tony is a three stars hotel directly overlooking the beach of Lido di Camaiore, standing on the seafront along with shops, bars and restaurants.
Open all year, serviced by a lift, it's a few yards from the sandy beach.
The hotel has a spacious, well-furnished garden, spacious common rooms with panoramic verandahs, meeting room, satellite TV room, lounge, postal services and fax/photocopying services.
All rooms have en-suite bathroom, telephone.
Some rooms have sea views.
Minimum stay is 3 nights.

General price range per room
Single rooms: 50 - 80 euros
Double rooms: 80 - 110 euros

Website: Hotel Tony in Lido di Camaiore

Grand Hotel & Riviera is a four stars hotel in Lido di Camaiore.
Website: Grand Hotel & Riviera in Lido di Camaiore

Eros Hotel is a two stars hotel in Lido di Camaiore.
A guest's opinion: "The hotel was adequate and reasonable value for money. The service from the Director of the Hotel was excellent. We thought the room needed to be re-painted and the decor a little 'softer on the eye'."

Website: Eros Hotel in Lido di Camaiore

Lombardi Hotel is a four stars hotel in Marina di Pietrasanta.
Website: Lombardi Hotel in Marina di Pietrasanta

Il Caravaggio Hotel is a three stars hotel in Marina di Pietrasanta.
Website: Il Caravaggio Hotel in Marina di Pietrasanta

Pietrasanta Hotel is a four stars hotel in Marina di Pietrasanta.
Website: Pietrasanta Hotel in Marina di Pietrasanta

Il Negresco Hotel is a four stars hotel in Forte dei Marmi.
Overall opinion. Il Negresco is the 3rd most popular hotel in Forte dei Marmi according to Trip Advisor Guide.
It's recommended by This is Travel Guide, with this review: "Location: ¾ ml NW of pier, on main seafront road with beach bars and eateries opposite. Bus stop 200 yds. Exterior: Prominent white concrete building on 4 to 5 storeys. All rooms have balconies. Interior: Bright and unpretentious. Attractive mirrored lobby. Pleasant fresh lounge with elaborately carved wooden bar. Appealing restaurant extending onto balcony terrace. TV room. Grounds: Modest pool at front; loungers on surround. Shrubs and trees provide privacy and enhance ambience. Opinion: Pleasant property with friendly atmosphere close to beach."

Website: Il Negresco Hotel in Forte dei Marmi

California Park Hotel is a four stars hotel in Forte dei Marmi.
Overall opinion. California Park is the 8th most popular hotel in Forte dei Marmi according to Trip Advisor Guide.
This is Travel Guide recommends California Park Hotel with this review: "Location: 1¼ mls SE of pier, on quiet road at back of resort surrounded by woodland and a few private homes. Beach 500 yds. Central shops and eateries 1 ml. Bus stop on sea front. Exterior: Well-maintained Mediterranean-style 3-storey block with walkway-style balconies. 2 similar-style accommodation blocks at rear, one resembling large villa (1971). Interior: Comfortable with atmosphere of large private house. Attractive lobby with arched lounge section and discreet bar. Pleasant breakfast room opens onto shaded terrace. Long smart simply furnished restaurant. Grounds: Good-sized pool with loungers on paved surround; bar counter. 2 acres of attractive gardens with statues and scattered garden furniture. Opinion: Appealing option with relaxed comfortable air. Gardens make a pleasant - and free - alternative to sitting in beach compound."

Website: California Park Hotel in Forte dei Marmi

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Viareggio, Versilia & Italy hotels, flights, cars, rail reservations

To find and book accommodation in Viareggio & Versilia, the cheapest and least time-consuming way is by doing it via the internet.
Here below are some of the best online reservations services with hotels & other accommodation in Viareggio, Versilia & Italy, which often have arranged special rates and discounts.

Venere
Venere - Hotels in Italy

Italian Tourist Web Guide
Italian Tourist Web Guide

Other travel services:
Expedia is a comprehensive travel site for all sorts of needs, from flights to hotels, from car rentals to holiday packages, from holiday deals to guides and insurance.
Expedia

North American residents can find information and the facility to book rail tickets and Passes in Italy when they visit Rail Europe .
They are the specialists on rail travel in Europe, and you can both buy rail point-to-point tickets online for single journeys from one destination to another in Italy and Europe, and buy Italian and European Rail Passes online.
On Rail Europe you'll also find plenty of information about timetables, prices and other practicalities of Italian and European rail services:
Rail Europe

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The Versilia Riviera and Versilia resorts

USEFUL NUMBERS IN VIAREGGIO

TAXIS
Piazza Dante +39 0584 47000
Piazza D'Azeglio +39 0584 962746
Rail Station Square +39 0584 45454
Piazza Puccini +39 0584 52777

MARKETS
Flower Market +39 0584 50781
Fruit Market +39 0584 392124
Piazza Cavour Market +39 0584 962350

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Carabinieri 112
Police 113
Medical Emergency 118
Ambulance 118
Firemen 115
ACI (car breakdown assistance) 116
Enel (electricity company) helpline +39 0584 32323
Gas company helpline +39 0584 325411
Sea emergency service +39 0584 44444

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The Apuane mountains

In the hinterland of the Versilia Riviera are the Apuane Alps. This is a range of mountains of great beauty, dramatic scenery and high and rugged peaks, hence the name "Alps", due to their resemblance with the real Alps. In fact, they are an offshoot of the Appennines, the mountain range that runs through peninsular Italy for all its length.
The Apuane, as you can see from the Viareggio panoramic view picture at the top of this page, are very close to the coast; their blue and white silhouette dominates the scenery from Viareggio beach and sea.

The Apuane Alps are rich in marble, the white, world-famous Carrara marble, which has been extracted from open quarries in the side of the mountains for many centuries, since Roman times. Marble from the Apuane Alps was used by Michaelangelo to sculpt his masterpieces, and the great artist himself worked in the quarries for some time.

The medieval town of Pietrasanta, in Versilia, is an important center of quarrying companies and a thriving international artists' colony: visitors have included Henry Moore and Fernando Bottero. Marble is the backbone of the local economy of Pietrasanta, with 115 companies involved in quarrying and selling the white Carrara marble.

The Alps of Tuscany : Selected Hikes in the Apuane Alps, the Cinque Terre and Portofino

Carrara : The Marble Quarries of Tuscany

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Viareggio Carnival

Very famous is the Viareggio Carnival, a 16-day period of fun during the Mardi Gras festivities. It takes place in February and March.
Like other renowned carnivals in Italy, notably the Venice Carnival, it's characterized by visual displays of high artistic level. Artistic floats big and small that took a whole year to make, created by artists with the help of craftsmen, are then paraded on the seafront on four different dates, called "corsi mascherati". The floats are very colourful, full of humour and irony in the true Carnival spirit, often with a satirical intent: this is why they are called "carri allegorici". Two floats from Viareggio Carnival are pictured here: the one above is a caricature or parody of Nobel-laureate playwright Dario Fo, the one below of the provocative singer Renato Zero.
People wear masks, kids turn up in fancy dresses, and at night everybody dances in the streets and has a good time.
The Carnival of Viareggio dates back a couple of centuries, but officially it started in the 1870s, and has been repeated every year since, looked forward to with great expectation by the locals.

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