Viareggio

Travel Guide
Viareggio featuring a city and a square or plaza
Swim in the Mediterranean, explore historic villas, taste authentic pasta or gelato and see where Puccini got his inspiration in this Tuscan town by the sea.

With its hot summers and mild winters, shady pine forest and colored Liberty-style houses, it’s little wonder that Viareggio is one of Tuscany’s most popular coastal resorts.

Relax on the beach or swim in the Mediterranean. For shade, walk through the halls of Villa Paolina, built for the sister of the French emperor Napoleon. The villa houses civic museums and a contemporary art gallery.

Nearby is Piazza Shelley, a historic square named after the Romantic-era poet Percy Bysshe Shelley who died in a shipwreck just off the coast of Viareggio. Admire the sculpture of the poet, made by the talented Italian, Urbano Lucchesi.

A short walk away from Piazza Shelley is La Passeggiata di Viareggio. The promenade’s name refers to the Italian tradition of leisurely walks with the family, so join the locals for a stroll. Enjoy a typical Italian espresso, pizza or pasta marinara in one of the bistros. On a hot summer’s day, eat a gelato and sit in the shade, just like Giacomo Puccini used to do when he composed his operas here.

Don’t miss the Statue of Burlamacco. The big clown promotes the Carnival of Viareggio, a local tradition since 1873. The elaborate annual spectacle of street parades and cabaret around February attracts large crowds from all over the world.

The Pineta Viareggio is the town’s pine forest and is divided into two areas. Explore the Western Forest, in the center of town, on foot or hop on a pony-drawn carriage. The Eastern Forest is 7 miles (12 kilometers) away and houses Villa Borbone, a historic mansion with art exhibits and cultural performances.

Viareggio is just 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Florence and 14 miles (22 kilometers) from Pisa, which has the nearest airport. If you have a car, you may want to take a short drive out to Torre del Lago, where Puccini was buried. Don’t miss the open-air theater shows of Festival Puccini if you are visiting in July or August.

Where to stay in Viareggio

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Ex Campo d'Aviazione

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Ex Campo d'Aviazione and surrounding area, you can visit Viareggio Harbor and Monument to the Resistance and to Peace.

Ex Campo d'Aviazione
Hotel President
Hotel President
4 out of 5
Viale Carducci 5, Viareggio, LU
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$3,514 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$3,514
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Viareggio. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Viareggio Beach and Piazza Maria Luisa are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (447 reviews)
"I love this hotel, beautiful property, clean very comfortable in a great location& very friendly and helpful people! Love this hotel and I want to go back and stay on my next visit."

Reviewed on 2024/3/22

Hotel President
Palace Hotel
Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Flavio Gioia, 2, Viareggio, LU
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$4,551 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$4,551
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Viareggio. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Viareggio Beach and Passeggiata ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (55 reviews)
"Adorable hotel characteristic of Viareggio in the days of elegant dining, phone booths and high ceilings with the convenience of a modern large bathroom. Location is perfect. Service fantastic. I have stayed in Viareggio many times but rarely return to a hotel for one reason or another but I would ..."

Reviewed on 2024/2/9

Palace Hotel
Hotel Residence Esplanade
Hotel Residence Esplanade
4 out of 5
Piazza Puccini 18, Viareggio, LU
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$3,798 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$3,798
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Viareggio. Enjoy free WiFi, a private beach, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Viareggio Beach and Piazza Maria Luisa ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (530 reviews)
"Staff very kind"

Reviewed on 2024/2/20

Hotel Residence Esplanade
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Greenchalets Toskana Viareggio - Campsite
Greenchalets Toskana Viareggio - Campsite
Viale dei Tigli, Viareggio, Provincia di Lucca
Stay at this family-friendly campground in Viareggio. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and 4 beach bars. Popular attractions Villa Borbone and East Pine ...
7.6/10 Good! (41 reviews)
Good place for families
"We enjoyed our stay. The camp site is good for families and the staff were friendly. The restaurant and bar were very good and good value for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The entertainment/evening show is only aimed at children and is mainly in Italienne, it was learning songs and dance moves to ..."

Reviewed on 2021/6/27

Greenchalets Toskana Viareggio - Campsite
Bosco Verde Camping
Bosco Verde Camping
1 out of 5
Viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Versilia, Torre del Lago Puccini, Viareggio, Lucca
Stay at this family-friendly campground in Viareggio. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and a free kid's club. Popular attractions Parco Giochi Bim Bum Bam ...
8/10 Very Good! (44 reviews)
Bare Bones Cabin
"Very disappointed that towels were extra and they charged for air conditioning. This should be publisized on the site. Oh yeah, wifi is not included in the cabin either and lots of misquitos. Stayed for the beach which was nice and fun area if you truly are camping not passing through."

Reviewed on 2017/6/29

Bosco Verde Camping
Italia Family Camping Village Viareggio
Italia Family Camping Village Viareggio
3 out of 5
Viale Dei Tigli 52, Viareggio, Lucca
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly campground in Viareggio. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Parco Giochi Bim Bum Bam ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Relax
"Molto confortevole, bungalow comodo, personale eccellente. Unica cosa da migliorare la Rete Wi-Fi"

Reviewed on 2021/8/27

Italia Family Camping Village Viareggio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Viareggio

4.9
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 92.85714285714286%
4 - Good
0
" "4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 7.142857142857143%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 22, 2019

Strongly recommend this hotel

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 30, 2019

Is a beautiful city.

5/5 - Excellent

LL
Jul 18, 2019

Fun! Lovely time on the beach. We rented chairs and umbrellas. Great restaurants for lunch , dinner, ice cream walks and biking (we rented bikes from our hotel) and shopping along the promenade.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 12, 2019

The beach town had such a fun vibe. We loved how lively it was. Great place to stay

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 26, 2019

Viareggio is a very pleasant beach town with clean beaches, a long and wide walkable promenade away from traffic, many restaurants, shops, gelato shops, etc. It’s not overcome by tourists which makes it calm and relaxing.

5/5 - Excellent

Christy
Sep 17, 2018

There is a beautiful large park, that I think translates to 'little countryside.' Loads of people in Viareggio rode their bikes, both in this park and along the streets and boardwalk.