Viareggio is a glamorous resort on the Tyrrhenian Sea, or the ‘Tuscan Riviera’, known for its long, pale-sand beaches, elegant hotels, chic beach clubs, and its huge carnival celebrations. It’s a lively destination, with plenty of places to eat and drink, and plenty of sunshine. If you’re here for carnival, or the summer season, you’ll definitely need to book into one of the best places to stay in Viareggio early! There’s a good range of accommodation on offer, from classic grand hotels, to contemporary resorts, elegant converted villas, and bijou guesthouse escapes, but the best rooms are booked up a long way in advance.
In Viareggio the beach clubs are a recent addition, but some of the hotels, bars and restaurants have been part of the pleasurable package of Viareggio for hundreds of years as well. Since around 1882, actually, when Napoleon’s sister spent her summer her, and Percy Shelley’s body washed up on one of Viareggio’s perfect, sandy beaches. After that stylish villas began unfurling from nothing, followed by the galleries, museums, boutiques and fine restaurants required to support the villa owners’ idea of a summer season.
Today our Gurus recommend Viareggio to travellers looking for lively seaside luxury, or historic seaside style, and for couples seeking out a sunny stretch of beach with a little more history to it. The countryside around the city undulates with pine woods and fields, and is dotted with quaint farmhouses. It’s also well located for day trips to Pisa, Florence, Elba and Lucca, for starters, so it makes a slightly different base for exploring the Tuscan coastline and hinterland.
Out of season, even slightly, the best places to stay in Viareggio become much more affordable, and while the beaches won’t have the same facilities — they’re only managed between mid-May and mid-September — they’re still very beautiful. You’re more likely to get a table at the most popular restaurants too!
