A low cost itinerary on the coast of Tuscany, moving northwards from day to day, up to Carrara.
La Tuscany., famous for its good food and cities of art, it is a charming destination for summer holidays. For those aiming for one low-cost holiday in fact, it is possible to arrange a road trip for a few days, staying in farmhouses or finding last minute offers at the hotel.
The start of our itinerary will be there Orbetello lagoon and we will move northwards from day to day until we arrive in Carrara, perhaps stopping every night in a different place.
Of course, the itinerary can also be used from Carrara to Orbetello, for those coming from the north.
The duration of the trip, one way, may vary 2 4 from a days, enjoying the quiet beaches of the Maremma and the most popular ones of Versilia.
Here are six recommended stops for a low cost itinerary on the Tuscan coast.
1. Porto Ercole and the Feniglia beach
Whether you arrive at Porto Ercole from Orbetello or from the Giannella tombolo you will find yourself immersed in nature, between sand, sea and sky. The animal and plant species that live in the lagoon are many and you will surely meet some of them walking in the pineta. I advise you to stop immediately on the Feniglia beach, following the signs for the Duna itself and leaving the car in the nearby Pineta Feniglia car park. From there you can easily reach the beach on foot or by renting a bicycle.
After a morning spent on the sand the ideal would be to reach Porto Ercole to have lunch, and then retrieve the car to continue the road trip.
2. Follonica
The second stage is Follonica. A free car park where there is usually a place is in via Golino. It is a bit far from the beach but you could take advantage of it to take a walk on it Via Roma, the main shopping street. Once you reach the end of Via Roma you will find yourself on Italy Viale. This is a long seafront, pedestrian for 2 kilometers, overlooked by numerous establishments and, more rarely, a few free beaches.
3. Livorno
The itinerary continues with Livorno. You might be lucky and find some free parking spaces along Viale Italia; alternatively, paid parking lots such as that of the Aquarium are indicated.
An unmissable panoramic point is the famous Terrazza mascagni, adjacent toAquarium. I suggest you visit it especially if you have children with you. From there with a short walk you can reach the Old Fortress and the New one, with the neighbor Republic Square and Central Market.
4. Viareggio
From Livorno, take the road towards Viareggio. After Pisa you could stop to take some photos at the Villa Museum of Puccini, in Torre del Lago, overlooking the Massaciuccoli lake, and then continue to Viareggio. The most convenient parking areas are those near the port, where there is also a free beach in front of Bagno Flora.
Versilia does not have many free beaches, but is characterized by a very long avenue of uninterrupted access to the beach, from Viareggio to Carrara. It can be traveled by car so I recommend you move on this road to enjoy the landscape of Lido di Camaiore e Marina di Pietrasanta up to Forte dei Marmi.
5. Forte dei Marmi
Here the bathing establishments are the masters. If all along the coast of Versilia there is a continuous succession, many of those of Forte dei Marmi they became famous. Many films have been made there and, over the years, numerous VIPs have chosen them for their holidays. If the time you have available allows it, I recommend you take a walk on the seafront Forte dei Marmi at sunset, to enjoy the colors of the sky and a light breeze, perhaps accompanied by an aperitif.
6. Massa and Carrara
Before proceeding with the visit of the historic center of Massa and Carrara, I suggest a short stop on the Promenade of Ponente, To Cliff of Love. It has been named after a retiree named Evaristo began chiseling love phrases on the large boulders that form the cliff. So day by day, the landscape is enriched with small signs that make it very romantic, so much so that it is in demand as a location for weddings.
The next stop is the historic center of Pasta. The most convenient parking is paid and is located in Piazza Liberazione; alternatively you may find some place along the road, nearby. From there in less than 5 minutes on foot you can reach Piazza degli Aranci. This is the most characteristic square in Massa. It is a very popular and pleasant space, especially during the flowering and ripening period of the many orange trees that surround the square. Here the Ducal Palace.
Continuing on Via Dante Alighieri you will arrive at Cathedral of Saints Peter and Francis, with an imposing staircase and a prestigious facade. Then go back to the South and walk towards Mercury square and towards the neighbor Porta Martana. From several points, during your walk, you will have the opportunity to see the Malaspina Castle, perched on the mountain, with its walls.
Last stop on this journey is Carrara. A free parking lot near the center is that of San Martino, and from there in 10 minutes on foot you are in Accademia Square, where there is the statue of Mazzini and the Church of the Madonna del Carmine. Very close to the Piazza dell'Accademia, it is the Fountain of Piazza d'Armi, with a beautiful green park that surrounds it. Don't forget to see the little one too Piazza del Duomo with its beautiful rose window, and the most spacious Alberica square, with the arcades and decorative panels on the pavement.
If you have more days available, you could add a walk to the center of Grosseto or Pisa. If you are passionate about archeology, a visit to the Ruins of the City of Cosa, in Ansedonia, or al Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia.
