Forte dei Marmi
Forte dei Marmi, in the province of Lucca, is one of Tuscany's most elegant seaside destinations
Updated 19 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Forte dei Marmi now
The story
The story of Forte dei Marmi
Introduction and location
Forte dei Marmi is a municipality in the province of Lucca, Tuscany, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea in Versilia, the coastal strip between the Apuan Alps and the sea. The town lies on a coastal plain lined with pine groves and tree-shaded avenues, just a few kilometres from Pietrasanta and Viareggio. Behind it rise the marble peaks of the Apuan Alps, creating a striking backdrop where mountains meet the sea. A refined holiday destination since the nineteenth century, it combines well-equipped beaches, an elegant pedestrian centre and an international atmosphere that has made it one of Italy's most celebrated seaside resorts.
History and origins
The town's name comes from the small fortress built in the eighteenth century by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany to protect the marble stockpiles awaiting shipment to construction sites across Europe. For centuries this stretch of coast served as a loading point for marble quarried in the Apuan Alps, hauled down to the shore by cart and then loaded onto ships from a long pier. From a working port, Forte dei Marmi grew between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries into a fashionable retreat for the aristocracy and upper classes, while keeping a strong identity tied to its marble heritage, still visible in its layout and collective memory.
Nature and landscape
The municipality's landscape is defined by the contrast between the sandy shoreline and the nearby Apuan Alps, a mountain range offering hiking trails, historic quarries and spectacular views over the gulf. A large public pine wood, the Pineta di Levante, runs along the coast, providing shade just steps from the beach clubs. The wide, well-equipped beach is flanked by a promenade that can be walked or cycled all the way to neighbouring towns. The Versilian landscape, dotted with Art Nouveau villas and manicured gardens, remains one of the features most appreciated by visitors seeking a relaxing seaside stay.
Things to do and see
The heart of town life is the pier, the historic jetty once used to load marble onto ships and now a landmark for sunset walks and sport fishing. The pedestrian centre, lined with shops and boutiques, is perfect for evening shopping and strolling among cafés and gelaterias. The beach clubs, some of them historic, offer every comfort for a day by the sea, while cycle paths connect the town to the pine wood and neighbouring villages. Visitors seeking a more adventurous outing can reach the marble quarries of the Apuan Alps in the nearby hinterland within a short drive.
Flavours and traditions
Local cuisine is rooted in the Versilian seafaring tradition, with dishes built around fresh fish, seafood soups and fried catch of the gulf served in restaurants across the centre and along the seafront. Products from the Tuscan hinterland, such as extra virgin olive oil and wines from the nearby hills, pair well with these maritime flavours. Traditions linked to marble quarrying and working remain alive in artisan workshops and in the stories told by the town's older residents, testimony to an economy that shaped life in this part of Versilia for centuries.
Not to be missed
- The historic pier, the town's symbol and a scenic viewpoint over the gulf
- The Pineta di Levante pine wood, ideal for shaded walks
- The pedestrian town centre, with shops, boutiques and evening venues
- The well-equipped beaches of Versilia, among Italy's most celebrated
- Excursions to the marble quarries of the Apuan Alps
To see
What to see in Forte dei Marmi
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Routes in Forte dei Marmi
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