VIAREGGIO
WHAT TO SEE IN VIAREGGIO
Viareggio is the southernmost seaside resort of the Italian Riviera on the Italian Mediterranean coast and the largest seaside resort in Tuscany. Art Nouveau buildings housing shops, cafes, and seafood restaurants line its waterfront, and there are several good Art Nouveau villas, including one built by Puccini, in the town. Although Viareggio was at its peak as a resort in the early mid-1900s, it is still one of the best Tuscan cities for beaches, seafood and nightlife.
It is also known for holding one of the most important carnival, or Shrove Tuesday, festivals in Italy. Carnevale Viareggio hosts one of the largest and most celebrated carnival festivals in Italy, attracting more than one million people every year. The famous parade features extremely elaborate floats, many of which are timely commentary on current political or social issues. The parade takes place on the seafront and is usually held on the three Sundays before the carnival, the day of the carnival (Shrove Tuesday) and the following Sunday. Admission is subject to a fee for the parades. Theater, music, masked balls and other events also take place during the carnival season. There is even a carnival museum in the city. Attractions Beaches - The coast is lined with sandy beaches, most of them privately owned, although there is a free beach area in the south of the city. For a price at the private beach clubs, you get a beach chair and umbrella and the use of amenities like changing rooms and toilets. Most of the hotels also have a snack bar. The sea is generally calm and good for swimming. Promenade - A long promenade lined with shops, cafes and restaurants runs between the beach and the town. The south end has Art Nouveau architecture. The waterfront is the place to see and be seen, especially during the evening stroll. Pineta di Ponente - The large park of the pine forest, just two blocks from the beach, is a good place to stroll and shelter from the sun.
Shelley Square - One of the town squares is named after the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. It is a lovely green space with benches and a bust of Shelley, who drowned off the coast near Viareggio in 1922. Ville - Villa Paolina near Piazza Shelley, was commissioned by Napoleon's sister in 1822. Several Art Nouveau villas were built in the campaigns at the beginning of 1900 and the city of Viareggio later developed around them. Villa Amore, on the main street along the sea, was the first, built in 1909. One of the best examples of Liberty style is the Villino Flore, built in 1912. Villa Puccini, the composer's last villa, is located in Via Belluomini, around the corner from the Grand Hotel Principe del Piemonte. You can see the villas from the outside but they are not open to visitors. Citadel Carnival Museum - The Citadel Carnival Museum has an exhibit of floats, masks, carnival postcards and other carnival-related memorabilia. Location Viareggio is located on the west coast of Italy, in the area of Tuscany known as Versilia. It is located about 20 kilometers north of Pisa and 30 kilometers west of Lucca. Where to sleep and eat Many hotels are located near the beach and some have rooms with sea views or private beaches.
Villa Tina was one of the first Art Nouveau buildings in Viareggio and the 3-star hotel still retains period furniture and decorations. The Grand Hotel Principe del Piemonte, dating back to 1922, is one of the historic hotels and recalls the heyday of Viareggio. Il Principino, on the seafront across the street, was Viareggio's first seaside resort built in 1938. Discover the best rated hotels in Viareggio. There is a small fishing port in Viareggio and you can expect good seafood made with fresh fish in most of the restaurants, especially those near the port area. How to get there Viareggio is on the railway line that runs along the coast between Genoa and Rome. It is just off the A12 motorway (toll road) which runs along the coast from the French border. Free parking is available outside the center or there are many paid parking lots in the city.
It is also known for holding one of the most important carnival, or Shrove Tuesday, festivals in Italy. Carnevale Viareggio hosts one of the largest and most celebrated carnival festivals in Italy, attracting more than one million people every year. The famous parade features extremely elaborate floats, many of which are timely commentary on current political or social issues. The parade takes place on the seafront and is usually held on the three Sundays before the carnival, the day of the carnival (Shrove Tuesday) and the following Sunday. Admission is subject to a fee for the parades. Theater, music, masked balls and other events also take place during the carnival season. There is even a carnival museum in the city. Attractions Beaches - The coast is lined with sandy beaches, most of them privately owned, although there is a free beach area in the south of the city. For a price at the private beach clubs, you get a beach chair and umbrella and the use of amenities like changing rooms and toilets. Most of the hotels also have a snack bar. The sea is generally calm and good for swimming. Promenade - A long promenade lined with shops, cafes and restaurants runs between the beach and the town. The south end has Art Nouveau architecture. The waterfront is the place to see and be seen, especially during the evening stroll. Pineta di Ponente - The large park of the pine forest, just two blocks from the beach, is a good place to stroll and shelter from the sun.
Shelley Square - One of the town squares is named after the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. It is a lovely green space with benches and a bust of Shelley, who drowned off the coast near Viareggio in 1922. Ville - Villa Paolina near Piazza Shelley, was commissioned by Napoleon's sister in 1822. Several Art Nouveau villas were built in the campaigns at the beginning of 1900 and the city of Viareggio later developed around them. Villa Amore, on the main street along the sea, was the first, built in 1909. One of the best examples of Liberty style is the Villino Flore, built in 1912. Villa Puccini, the composer's last villa, is located in Via Belluomini, around the corner from the Grand Hotel Principe del Piemonte. You can see the villas from the outside but they are not open to visitors. Citadel Carnival Museum - The Citadel Carnival Museum has an exhibit of floats, masks, carnival postcards and other carnival-related memorabilia. Location Viareggio is located on the west coast of Italy, in the area of Tuscany known as Versilia. It is located about 20 kilometers north of Pisa and 30 kilometers west of Lucca. Where to sleep and eat Many hotels are located near the beach and some have rooms with sea views or private beaches.
Villa Tina was one of the first Art Nouveau buildings in Viareggio and the 3-star hotel still retains period furniture and decorations. The Grand Hotel Principe del Piemonte, dating back to 1922, is one of the historic hotels and recalls the heyday of Viareggio. Il Principino, on the seafront across the street, was Viareggio's first seaside resort built in 1938. Discover the best rated hotels in Viareggio. There is a small fishing port in Viareggio and you can expect good seafood made with fresh fish in most of the restaurants, especially those near the port area. How to get there Viareggio is on the railway line that runs along the coast between Genoa and Rome. It is just off the A12 motorway (toll road) which runs along the coast from the French border. Free parking is available outside the center or there are many paid parking lots in the city.
