text Samuele Ferrari

February 11, 2025

What to do and see in Carrara

All our best tips (including gastronomic ones) for learning more about the world-renowned city of marble and art

Located in the foothills of the Apuan Alps, between the sea and the mountains, Carrara is an ideal destination for those who want a stay in Tuscany filled with nature, history and art. Famous throughout the world for its prized white marble, the town is located on the border between Tuscany and Liguria and offers visitors a wide range of experiences: from trekking in the Apuan Alps Regional Park to discovering the charming historic center, with its medieval streets, to relaxing on the well-equipped beaches of the hamlet of Marina di Carrara.

Carrara's origins date back to Roman times and are closely linked to the mining and processing of marble, the city's symbol and the territory's main economic resource. Always connected to its “white gold”, the protagonist of immortal masterpieces such as Michelangelo's Pieta, Carrara is much more than a marble town: visiting it, you will discover its proud and independent spirit, reflected in the anarchic soul of its inhabitants.

What to see in Carrara

Carrara Cathedral (Insigne Collegiata - Abbazia Mitrata di Sant'Andrea Apostolo)

Carrara Cathedral, dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle, is a masterpiece of Romanesque-Gothic architecture, built in medieval times between the 11th and 14th centuries entirely of white marble. The main façade is embellished with an elegant ornate rose window and an ornate portal with sculpted reliefs, while the interior, divided into three naves, features finely carved columns and capitals. A distinctive symbol of the city, the cathedral best represents Carrara's artistic and cultural richness.

Old Town

Carrara's historic center is the beating heart of the city, a fascinating web of medieval streets crossed by the Carrione stream, which converge in the scenic Piazza Alberica. Surrounded by elegant porticoes and historic buildings, the square is dominated at its center by the statue of Maria Beatrice d'Este, duchess of Massa and princess of Carrara from 1790 to 1796. In addition to Piazza Alberica, the nineteenth-century Piazza Gramsci (also known as Piazza d'Armi), the charming Piazza delle Erbe, the majestic Palazzo Cybo-Malaspina - now the seat of the Academy of Fine Arts - and the Teatro degli Animosi, a symbolic place of the city's cultural life, are worth a visit.

Cave di Marmo

Marble quarries are a must-see during a visit to Carrara. Located in the Apuan Alps, their history is rooted in Roman times, when the quarried blocks were used to make some of the world's most famous monuments, such as the Pantheon and Trajan's Column. An undisputed symbol of the city and among the most popular tourist attractions, some of the quarries can be visited via organized tours, which allow visitors to observe the extraction techniques up close, discover the millennia-old history of this activity and admire breathtaking views. Still in full operation today, the quarries are divided into three main basins: Colonnata, Fantiscritti and Miseglia, each with unique characteristics. Here marble blocks are quarried and transported by road to the port, from where they are shipped around the world for use in sculpture, furniture and architecture.

The waterfront of Marina di Carrara

A few kilometers from the historic center of Carrara is Marina di Carrara, the seaside hamlet of the city, also home to the commercial port. Along the coastline are well-equipped beaches, bars and restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish dishes and other local specialties. During the summer, this area becomes the tourist heart of the town, thanks to its wide, fine-sand beaches and breathtaking views of the Apuan Alps. The Waterfront Promenade, a 1.5-kilometer elevated walkway ideal for a relaxing sea-view stroll in a picturesque setting, has been inaugurated in the harbor area.

What to see around Carrara

Places rich in history, nature and culture can be discovered around Carrara.

Colonnata and the mural by Kobra

A small village a few kilometers from the historic center of Carrara, Colonnata is famous for its PGI lard, made unique by traditional processing in marble basins. Here the lard is left to season for at least six months with salt, rosemary, pepper, cinnamon and other spices, developing an unmistakable flavor. Surrounded by nature, Colonnata is the ideal destination for an authentic gastronomic experience. A short walk from the village starts an evocative trekking route of about an hour that leads to the Cima di Gioia Quarry, where there is a giant mural of David, created by Brazilian artist Kobra. The work, about 10 meters high and hidden in the mountains, symbolizes the deep connection between Carrara and art.

Luni

Luni is an ancient Roman city founded in 177 B.C. as a colony. Due to its strategic location near the Magra River, the sea and the Apuan Alps, it became an important port and commercial center. Today it is a visitable archaeological area, rich in history, with an interesting museum that preserves statues, everyday objects and inscriptions. In addition to the museum, it is also possible to explore the striking remains of the amphitheater, evidence of the city's glorious past.

Apuan Alps Regional Park

A true paradise for trekking lovers, ideal for spending a day immersed in unspoiled nature, among majestic peaks, underground caves and incredible biodiversity. Within the Apuan Alps Park are unique places, such as the Antro del Corchia in Levigliani, the striking Monte Forato in the municipality of Stazzema, the Pellegrini-Ansaldi Botanical Garden and the panoramic Monte Sagro.

Montemarcello

Montemarcello is a charming medieval village located on the Caprione promontory, perfect for a day of relaxation among its characteristic narrow streets, pastel-colored houses and, above all, the incredible view of the Gulf of Poets. Part of the municipality of Ameglia, in the province of La Spezia, it is located a few kilometers from Marina di Carrara and is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.

Lerici and the Cinque Terre

Easily reached by train, Lerici and the Cinque Terre are ideal destinations for a day trip among picturesque villages and crystal clear waters. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cinque Terre-Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore-offer a wide variety of experiences, including food and wine tastings, boat trips, scenic treks, and relaxing days by the sea.

Massa and the Malaspina castle

Massa, capital of the province along with Carrara, is home to the impressive Malaspina Castle, which towers over the city from above. This imposing medieval fortress offers a breathtaking view of the sea and the city and can be visited inside, where frescoes and important historical evidence related to the Cybo-Malaspina lordship over Massa can be admired.

Forte dei Marmi

Forte dei Marmi is a famous beach resort in Versilia, internationally renowned for its exclusivity, which over the years has made it a favorite destination for tourists from Italy and abroad. With its well-maintained beaches, fine restaurants and vibrant nightlife, Forte dei Marmi embodies the luxury and style typical of Italy.

Where to eat in and around Carrara

Ristorante Capannina Ciccio
Viale Giovanni da Verrazzano, 1A (Marina di Carrara)
ph. +39 0585 780286

If you are in Marina di Carrara and would like to enjoy a great seafood dish, Ristorante Capannina Ciccio is the ideal choice. The menu offers a variety of crudités, seafood entrees and excellent meat dishes, all to be paired with a wine list with a wide selection.

Extra
Viale Turigliano, 13 (Carrara)
ph. +39 0585 74741

Extra is a fine dining restaurant known for its contemporary cuisine and elegant atmosphere. It is distinguished by its modern design and the artworks that enrich its spaces. The culinary offerings are curated by chef Claudio Folini, who combines high-quality local ingredients to create innovative and surprising dishes.

Bagno Palmo Mare
Lungomare di Levante, 98 (Massa)
ph. +39 328 0331134

Located in the Marina di Massa area, Palmo Mare restaurant and bathing establishment offers lunches, aperitifs by the sea and candlelight dinners. With a seafood-based menu and a beautifully detailed ambiance reminiscent of the interior of an old boat, Palmo Mare is a unique and atmospheric place to dine accompanied by the sound of the sea in the background.

How to get to Carrara from Florence

By Train

From Florence Santa Maria Novella you can take a direct Florence-La Spezia train or a train with a change at Pisa Centrale. In both cases, the journey does not exceed two hours in duration.

By car

From Florence, follow the A11 highway towards Pisa, then the A12 towards La Spezia and follow the signs to Carrara. The distance is about 110 km, with a travel time of about one and a half hours. Just a few minutes from the historic center, you will find two large free parking lots, including the one in San Martino, where we recommend you park and then walk to Carrara's main places of interest.

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