Near Lucca, in Tuscany, is Forte dei Marmi, one of the most famous seaside town in Italy.
Its name derives from a fort (Forte), located in the town center, and from the marble (Marmi) of the nearby Apuan Alps.
Why people love it so much? Well, in town you find clean sea, excellent fish restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. Furthermore, Versilia – that is the name of this stretch of the Italian coast- is very popular with local and international VIPs.
If you are considering a holiday in Versilia or Tuscany, here is why Forte dei Marmi is worth visiting.
WHAT TO DO IN FORTE DEI MARMI
THE BEACH OF FORTE DEI MARMI
Obviously, once arrived you cannot help enjoying the sun, the sea and the fine golden sand.
Actually, the main attraction of Forte dei Marmi is the beach.
Its popularity started at the end of the 19th century, and among the VIPs who enjoyed this seaside town there were artists such as the writers Gabriele d’Annunzio and Thomas Mann, but also the Italian 60’s actress Stefania Sandrelli. Indeed, Forte dei Marmi’s golden period was that of the Dolce Vita, between the 50s and 60s. At the time, thanks to the economic boom, Italians discovered the pleasure of holidays and the possibility of meeting their idols in person. And Forte dei Marmi was one of the best locations!
Nowadays, the beach of Forte dei Marmi is equipped with facilities and bathing establishment that offer different services and experiences. You can choose the one that best suits your needs in terms of space, position, prices and comforts. In any case, they all have bar or restaurant and basic services such as hot showers, toilets and lifeguard.
If you prefer a less polished experience, the north end of the beach is free beach. This part is called Le Dune and it is part of the local WWF oasis.
PONTILE, THE PIER
At the beach you can find one of the town symbols: the Pontile.
This long pier starts from the enchanting Piazza Navari, close to the statue of Controvento Forte dei Marmi. It dates back to the second half of the 29th century and one of the best times to visit it is at sunset.
FORTE LORENSE
As already mentioned, Forte Lorenese (or Forte Leopoldo I) is the fort from which the town takes its name. In the past it was a military building but also a warehouse for marble blocks. In fact, not far away are the Apuan Alps from which a very high quality marble is extracted which is still exported all over the world today: have you ever heard of Carrara marble? This marble is appreciated for its white color, the peculiar way of reflecting its durability and the wide possibility of processing, from the simplest to the most complex.
Speaking of marble, at the beach, 300 meters from the coast, you can see the loading dock used to embark the large blocks of marble. Today it is a tourist destination and the temporary docking point for a ferry that goes to the wonderful Cinque Terre, in Liguria.
But let’s go back to the Forte! Today, it houses the museum of satire and caricature. Here, you find a collection of satirical magazines but also works by satirical illustrators, painters, humorists and designers.
NIGHTLIFE IN FORTE DEI MARMI
Forte dei Marmi is well known for its nightlife. Both in town and in its surroundings there are plenty of places to have fun.
Some examples?
In Marina di Pietrasanta you find Twiga, the exclusive beach club of Flavio Briatore, a former Formula 1 entrepreneur who had an affair with Naomi Campbell. Then, the Capannina, one of the oldest clubs in Versilia, still popular even with the youngest. But in Forte dei Marmi there are also several bars where you can have a drink or listen to live music. Not to mention the many beach clubs that enliven the beach day and night.
