Sometimes, when you travel, you want to stay put. And when it comes to staying put on the Italian seaside, a visit to Forte Dei Marmi is in order.
Italians – who invented the concept of dolce far niente – call this type of travel villeggiatura. While a vacanza is an active trip involving exploring historical things, a villeggiatura is where the aim is all about staying put to relax and recharge. One of the perfect spots to do a villeggiatura in Italy is the Tuscan beach town of Forte Dei Marmi, a storied destination for luxury beach time.
Where Is Forte Dei Marmi?
Pronounced “Four-tay Day Mar-mee,” it is a seaside town in Northern Tuscany in the Province of Lucca. The name translates to “Fort of Marble,” referring to the fort in the middle of town and the marble quarries in the nearby Apuan Alps. Known as the Lorenese Fort and called the fortino, the historic defense building is a city landmark. The quarries were put on the map when Michelangelo used their famed Carrara marble for Florence‘s San Lorenzo Basilica.
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What Is Forte Dei Marmi Known For?
While it does have history, a visit to Forte dei Marmi it’s less about marble and more about the beach and its stylish atmosphere these days.
Think of Forte Dei Marmi as the Italian Hamptons. Ok, there’s no Jitney, but they are similar. Both are seaside escapes for city dwellers (Florentines and Milanese in the case of Forte); have long-term summer residents; wide beaches, and legendary party scenes.
When I lived in Florence, Forte Dei Marmi became a regular weekend trip because it’s just an hour’s drive, yet it feels a world away. With sandy beaches (not rocks like many parts of Europe!), lazy waves, and winding bike paths dotted with stone pines, it’s an ideal weekend to travel to Italy.
Know Before You Visit
The Forte Dei Marmi beach is flat with rolling waves, so you won’t get the dramatic seaside villages you see on other parts of the Italian coast like Portofino or the Amalfi Coast. For a visual of town, watch the Italian thriller Security, which is set there.
And, the summer can be quite a scene as art, fashion, and finance types flock there. To peek at the luxe living, check out Andrea Boccelli’s Villa Alpemare.
More Than 10 Things To Do In Forte Dei Marmi
If you visit Forte dei Marmi in summer, spend at least an afternoon biking and strolling around town. It’s less touristy than Cinque Terre and more local than Portofino, so you’ll get a taste of authentic summer living in Italy. Ideally, your visit will be anywhere from a long weekend up to five days.
Rent A Bicycle
During summer, the main mode of transport is via bici (bicycle), which is easy to access thanks to the flat, paved paths up the coast. Rent a bike from Forte Bike or Cicli Maggi, both of which have mountain bikes, if you want to explore the Viareggio forest reserve or the foothills near Camaiore.
Set Up At A Bagni
The coast has bagni or beach clubs with perfectly manicured sand, colorful umbrellas, and cheery changing rooms. Many families rent a cabana for the summer and spend their days there. The easiest way to access a beach club is to stay at a hotel with its private clubs (see below), though you won’t see many locals.
You can also rent at a local bagni–the best ones have great hospitality, restaurants, and sometimes gyms, pools, spas, and nightlife. For a classic experience, head to Gilda or Bagno Piero. For a family scene, go to Bagno Annetta. For a vibrant party scene, reserve at Beach Club Versilia. Each club has its rates depending on if you want a chair or a cabana–be sure to reserve in advance!
Explore The Italian Coast
One reason we love Forte Dei Marmi? Its central location provides many options for coastal day trips. Within a two-hour drive, you can go as far north as Genoa, head to Portofino, explore La Spezia, make a boat trip to Cinque Terre (or the lesser-known areas nearby), or go south to Viareggio, Pisa, Lucca, or even Florence.
Attend The Puccini Festival
The nearby town of Torre del Lago is where famed Italian composer Giacomo Puccini lived for over 30 years. As such, the town honors the maestro with the Puccini Festival, aka the Fondazione Festival Pucciniano, an opera festival each summer where his acclaimed works, such as Madama Butterfly and Tosca, are staged.
Shop The Town Center
The shopping in Forte Dei Marmi reflects the high-end clientele. There are shops by the best Italian designers and local boutiques selling beach essentials and resort wear. For designer clothes, check out global fashion brands like Prada, Armani, and Gucci, but also shop at only-in-Italy spots like 10 Corso Como (one of our favorite Milan-based stores).
Shop The Forte dei Marmi Market
Yes, the designer boutiques in Forte dei Marmi are a major draw, but we’re partial to the Wednesday flea market known as Il Mercato di Forte dei Marmi.
This open-air market is actually held a handful of times weekly at the height of the summer and is known for being one of the top flea markets in Italy. Vendors from all over the country sell tabletop wares, leather goods, and vintage pieces.
Toast The Day At Aperitivo
We love a great aperitivo alive and well in Forte Dei Marmi. You can stay put if you are at a beach club in the late afternoon. But, if you’re looking to kick off a night out, some favorite places are the laidback local spot Alma Rosa or drinks with a view at 67 Sky Lounge Bar.
Dance At A Club
Many beach clubs, bars, and restaurants get festive at night, but there are also proper dance clubs. The classic spot is La Capannina Di Franceschi, which has been open since 1929. To hang out from aperitivo to dinner through dancing, head to Twiga Beach Club, but know that it’s pricey.
Cook At A Local Farm
Many agriturismi or local farm stays inland, and a few of our favorites offer laidback hands-on cooking classes that are great for the whole family. This is a nice contrast from the seaside vibes of Forte dei Marmi. Contact us if you want help planning a day trip from Forte dei Marmi.
Go Wine Tasting
The area inland from Forte, known as the Garfagnana, has some of the most under-the-radar red wines in Tuscany, but they deserve your attention! Our clients enjoy experiences at these small, family-owned wineries where you often taste from the barrel alongside the owner and winemaker.
Otherwise, serious wine lovers and collectors can head south of Livorno toward Bolgheri to try the esteemed Super Tuscan wines.
Visit The Marble Quarries
As we said, the town is named after the nearby marble quarries, and many people like to take a Jeep tour to explore them!
Where To Eat In Forte Dei Marmi
Most of the food in Forte Dei Marmi focuses on classic Tuscan dishes like tagliata or pici pasta or on fresh local seafood. There are many fine dining restaurants with Michelin stars in Forte Dei Marmi, the most classic of which is Il Bistrot and Ristorante Lorenzo.
Many of our travel planning clients opt to eat seaside at the beach clubs or do a mix of the more modern fine dining spots and Michelin star restaurants and some casual (but still chic) spots like Il Giardino or Pesce Baracca. If you’re staying longer than a few nights, we encourage you to head to nearby Pietrasanta, Viareggio, or Camaiore for a meal to see a different side of this area. Contact us if you want to help to decide where to eat in Forte Dei Marmi or to make restaurant reservations.
Where To Stay
If you’re staying a few nights, consider splurging on a luxury hotel, like the famed Villa Roma Imperiale, so you can dive right into the lifestyle. For longer, look into one of the various villas or beach homes (which we can help you book, FYI).
The Historical Spot: Augustus Hotel
When it comes to luxury in Forte Dei Marmi, the Hotel Augustus sets the standard. The grounds include a villa that once belonged to the Agnelli family (of FIAT cars), and there is a tunnel that provides direct access to a private beach.
The Chic Boutique: Hotel Principe
For 5-star luxe, The Principe has it all: great location, service, and décor. Even if you don’t stay there, do aperitivo at their rooftop bar for one of the best views around.
The Design Spot: Villa Gilda
Owned by the team behind Gilda beach club, this seven-room boutique hotel is a personal favorite. Though it’s situated inland, nearly all the rooms have sea views, and the Italianate decor is drool-worthy. Oh, and the on-property restaurant is one of the best places to eat in the region.
The Great Deal: California Park Hotel
For a property with a bit more sprawl but still, great amenities and a great price, check out California Park Hotel. It’s set back from the water, but you can easily bike to the beach and the town center!
Best Time To Visit Forte Dei Marmi
When you travel to Italy, you’ll notice that at most of Italy’s beach towns, the season begins right around Easter and extends until late September, and that’s also the case in Forte Dei Marmi.
This part of the Tuscan coast has historically been a local spot, but it has become more and more popular with Russians, Germans, and Arab travelers. Most visit from June through August when it’s almost impossible to find lodging during the weekends.
Instead, go in shoulder season– late Spring and early Fall–when the weather is nice, but it’s less crowded. Don’t visit in the winter months as it’s usually cold and most restaurants are closed.
How To Get To Forte Dei Marmi
By Car
The easiest way to get to Forte Dei Marmi is by car, as you can take the A11 highway from Florence or the E80 from Genoa and Milan. Know there is limited parking during the high season. There are public parking lots, and all the beach clubs and hotels have their own parking but plan to bike or walk when possible.
By Train
You can also train to Forte Dei Marmi, but you’ll have to take the regional train system and, depending on where you’re coming from, likely have to make a few transfers. Once you arrive, you’ll likely need to hop a bus or a taxi from the train station to get into town.
Have you traveled to Forte Dei Marmi? Any other advice you want to share? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Forte dei Marmi is a luxury destination on the Versilia coast of Tuscany, Italy. It's known for its beautiful beaches, high-end shopping, and vibrant nightlife. The town is a popular summer retreat for both Italians and international tourists.
Well, it's all relative. While ultra-luxury destinations with sprawling 5-star hotels like the Italian Riviera, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri are more expensive, Forte Dei Marmi is generally a pricier beach town in Italy. Our guests usually spend more than €500 per night for lodging and €100 per day for beach clubs in high season.
If you like to be in the mix of it all, then definitely visit in in the height of the beach season when the festivals, restaurants, and activities are at all time high. The beach season begins around Easter and extends until late September.
Other Tuscany Beaches
While we love some quality time at Forte, we’d be remiss not to mention our other favorite Tuscany Italy beaches. Head to Viareggio for a more chill vibe or go south to Castiglioncello or Ortobello for off-the-beaten path spots.
Have Us Plan Your Italy Trip
Did you know we’re also a boutique travel agency that specializes in Italy travel planning? If you’re looking to plan one of the best trips to Italy, our Italy trip planner services are here to help you plan your perfect itinerary.
Photo Credit: Frederico Neri, Sosna Radosna, and Ppictures