The best beach towns near Florence Italy
I have been to Tuscany quite a few times and stayed in a few towns, including Florence and Siena. I also stayed at some boutique hotels in Lucca and they were absolutely amazing. However, a lot of these smaller towns did not have pools. So while I was having an amazing time, especially in Florence, I wanted to go to the ocean. Because Florence is so central, I set out to find the nearest beach towns near Florence Italy, and I made a whole guide to make it easier for you.
Some of my trips to Tuscany, I went by train, so I will talk about those. My latest trip was by car. I will not just talk about beaches near Florence Italy, I will talk about the best beaches near Florence too.
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| Closest beach town near Florence Italy | Jump to the town |
| Favourite beach town | Jump to the town |
| A map of beach towns near Florence | Jump to the map |
Viareggio: the closest family-friendly escape
Distance from Florence: 81km (50 miles)
We will start off with Viareggio. Via Reggio is probably the closest beach town to Florence, one of the easiest of all the beach towns near Florence Italy. It is 81 kilometres, or 50 miles, away. What I liked is that it had a really long sandy beachfront. I think the accessibility of the trains and transport gives it its best advantage.
I managed to find a train that was one hour and 17 minutes with no changes, but most averaged one hour and 29 minutes. From the train station to the beach itself is about a 15 minute walk, which is not bad at all. For those renting a car from Florence to Viareggio, if there is no traffic, you can get there in about one hour and 15 minutes.
I think the real benefit is the train, especially if you are with young children or family. You do not have to think about parking the car anywhere, although you can if you want to. You just hop on the train early in the morning, say 7am, and get there by 8:30. Spend a few hours at the beach, then pop back after lunch.
Family-friendly amenities and activities
As I said, the beach in Viareggio is really long and really sandy, so you will not have any problems finding a spot. There are lots and lots of beach clubs, so you can rent some loungers, and some of them have a lot of music. If you are bringing family, it has really shallow waters, so it is great for small children. There are also quite a lot of restaurants where you can take the family. Apart from that, there is a really long boulevard because the beach is so long, so you can just relax.
The beaches like Ponente, Levante, and Torre del Lago Puccini have actually been awarded blue flag status, which basically means they adhere to high environmental and service standards. Due to all of this, how friendly it is and how easy it is to get to, Viareggio is one of the best and closest of all the beach towns near Florence Italy.
Check out the train from Florence to Viareggio
Can you fly to Viareggio?
Not really. You can fly to Pisa or Capannori Airport, but I would probably only recommend that if you are flying in from another place and not Florence, since you then have to drive into town, which takes about 25 minutes.
Favourite beach in Viareggio?
My favourite beach in Viareggio would be Spiaggia della Lecciona. It has a little bit more space and is on the south side, so you will have to walk a little bit if you are taking the train. But it is free and still very sandy and nice, one of the best beaches near Florence if you want space without the crowds.
Forte dei marmi: luxury beach towns near Florence Italy
Distance from Florence: 88km (54 miles)
Next stop is one of my favourite beach towns near Florence Italy because of how upscale it is: Forte dei Marmi. Really, really shallow waters, very sandy, and the distance is just a little bit more than Viareggio at 88 kilometres or 54 miles, just a little bit north.
This beach town near Florence Italy is more of a resort town and more VIP, and a lot of residents own these beach properties too. You cannot really go wrong here because the beach itself is long, flat, and sandy, and there are quite a few private beach clubs that are really well maintained, with music, food, and good loungers. I have stayed in other places where the lounges are a bit flimsy, but they actually have good lounges around here.
Because it is more of a premium town, you may have to book in advance or come early to get the beach chairs. My friends have gone there and the first row had already been booked, and I love getting the first row myself when I go to a beach.
Getting to Forte dei Marmi
The journey does take a little bit longer, 1 hour and 37 minutes was the quickest I could find, and you do have to change. Or you can take a train that is 1 hour 44 minutes with no changes. As someone going on a holiday, I would probably try to avoid changing and just get on a train that goes all the way there, especially changing platforms in a country you do not know, so go for the one hour 45 to be honest.
If you are taking the car it takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, so not too bad. But if you are taking the train, the station is actually quite far from the beach. It takes about 7 minutes to drive, but it takes one hour to walk, so you will probably just have to pick up a taxi when you get to the train station.
Restaurants and shops near the beach
Forte dei Marmi does cater for wealthier people, so you will find a lot of restaurants here, along with a lot of high end Italian designer shops and a really cool market. If you go in the morning, maybe go to the market. There are also a lot of exclusive clubs and even Michelin star restaurants, like La Magnolia and Lo Sciabola. My advice would probably be to go to a beach club first so you can get properly showered down, since you do not want to go to a Michelin restaurant with all your sun cream still on.
What makes this one of the best beaches near Florence, on top of the beautiful sand and shallow waters, is that if you face towards the country, you get an amazing view of the Apuan Alps straight from the beach.
Check out the train prices from Florence to Forte dei Marmi
Can you fly to Forte dei marmi?
The nearest airport would be Pisa International, then it takes about 35 minutes to drive.
Best beach club in Forte dei Marmi?
It has to be Bagno Dalmazia Forte dei Marmi beach club. It has big loungers with big shades and the restaurant is completely shaded as well, so you can spend the whole day there.
Follonica: Tuscany's hidden sandy gem
Distance from Florence: 102km (64 miles)
Now we are getting a little bit further away, heading south to a beach town called Follonica. Follonica is 102 kilometres or 64 miles away, and not many people know about this one. It is an awesome seaside town with one long, really sandy beach, with quite a few coves as well.
I think it is best for those looking for a little bit more natural beauty and a relaxed atmosphere. Follonica has a lot more free beaches and is more relaxed, so you will not really find many private beach clubs. It is good for those looking for that relaxed atmosphere but also not wanting to spend fifty euros on a beach chair. You will find more free beaches to the west, and a few beach clubs towards the east of the town.
Scenic views and historical attractions
If you are taking a train it is a bit further away and takes 2 hours and 23 minutes from Florence. Driving is quite similar, taking 2 hours and 17 minutes. If you are taking the train, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the beach, so that is not too bad, which is part of why it is one of the best beaches near Florence for a relaxed day.
If you go to Il Giardino Beach or Torre Mozza, you can get views of the islands of Corsica and Elba in the distance, which is quite nice. There is also a 15th century watch tower by Torre Mozza.
Check out the train times from Florence to Follonica
Can you fly to Follonica?
No. The closest airport is Pisa International, and it will take just over an hour to get there.
Top beach in Follonica?
It has to be Spiaggia Libera Colonia Marina. This is a free sandy beach, it has showers, and it is quite shallow, so great for children.
Marina di pisa: family beaches near Florence Italy with iconic landmarks
Distance from Florence: 85km (52 miles)
Next up is Marina di Pisa, and you would not actually think that there is a beach here because when you think Pisa you think of the Leaning Tower. But this is actually one of the best beach towns near Florence Italy. It is 52 miles away from Florence, or 85 kilometres,.
To get the train from Florence to Pisa Centrale you can take just 50 minutes, but the time goes on a little bit extra to actually get to the beach, which is another 15 minute drive, so it does add on.
Safe family environment
The picture above was on a very windy day, but when it is not windy, it is quite shallow in terms of the water. Although it is not sandy, it is a pebbly beach, so you will have to use pebble shoes.
On top of that, Marina di Pisa also has that blue flag status. I think what makes it one of the best beach towns near Florence Italy is that it is close to all the history, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and there are lots and lots of restaurants. You can have a swim in the ocean when it gets too hot.
You can find more details about the Blue Flag programme here.
Check out the train from Florence to Marina di Pisa
Can you fly to Marina di Pisa?
Yes, you have got Pisa International Airport and a quick drive into Pisa itself.
Favourite beach in Marina di Pisa?
It has to be Spiaggia Marina di Pisa. It is a pebbly beach, so I would advise bringing a towel or chair and those pebble shoes or rock shoes. The last time we went here we had a really nice sunset before dinner, so it is great if you can catch it.
Cinque terre: iconic coastal beauty near Florence Italy
Distance from Florence: 182km (113 miles)
Now we are heading back north to Cinque Terre. While it is not in Tuscany and a little bit further away from Florence, you can still do a day trip here. It is about 113 miles away. These five famous towns are a must-visit when going to Italy.
The typical journey takes about two and a half to three hours by train, and you will usually have to change at La Spezia or Pisa to get there. You can drive from Florence, and it does take about 2 hours and 20 minutes, so it is a little bit quicker, but there are a lot of tiny roads and restricted traffic areas within the villages, so getting the Cinque Terre train card is a lot easier.
The five villages and Monterosso's beach
This beach town near Florence Italy is really five famous towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. What they are known for is all the different colours and dramatic cliff positions, and you can easily hop between these towns by train or even by ferry.
I think my favourite is Monterosso al Mare. It is a really sunny place to be, a mix of sandy and pebbly on parts of the beach, but the waters are just absolutely fantastic, light blue, so you can see all the rocks and features. It is just somewhere you have to go if you are near Florence or anywhere near Cinque Terre.
The station at Monterosso is just a few minutes walk away, so you could do it in a day if you wanted to, spend the whole day there and tick Cinque Terre off your bucket list. I would probably say during summer it does tend to be a bit crowded, so try to get there early.
Check out the train from Florence to Cinque Terra
Can you fly to Cinque Terra?
No the closest airports ti Cinque Terra are 1.5-2 hours away.
Favourite beach in Cinque Terra?
Apart from Monterosso, my other favourite, just on the left hand side, is Spiaggia di Fegina. You can rent some chairs, and there is an awesome statue on the right hand side looking into the ocean which you should check out.
Planning your coastal adventure from Florence
When choosing among these incredible beach towns near Florence Italy, consider your priorities, travel time preferences, and the type of experience you're seeking. Each destination offers unique advantages that cater to different traveller preferences.
Quick comparison guide
| Beach Town | Distance from Florence | Fastest Travel Time | Beach Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viareggio | 81km / 50 miles | Train: 1h 6m, Car: 1h 15m | Sandy, public/private | Families |
| Forte dei Marmi | 88km / 54 miles | Train: 1h 30m, Car: 1h 20m | Sandy, private clubs | Luxury travellers |
| Follonica | 102km / 64 miles | Train: 2h 11m, Car: 2h 17m | Sandy, natural | Tranquil escapes |
| Marina di Pisa | 85km / 52 miles | Train: 49m to Pisa, Car: 1h 20m | Sandy, shallow | Families with sightseeing |
| Cinque Terre | 182km / 113 miles | Train: 2h 31m | Varied | Scenic village exploration |
Transportation tips for getting to the best beaches near Florence Italy
Just some transportation tips. I would probably say the train is a lot easier for Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, and Follonica. But with Marina di Pisa and Cinque Terre, you might want to drive. Parking can be pretty difficult though, and that is why I recommend trains, although carrying all your stuff in the car can be a lot easier. Then you just pay for a ticket near the beach.
Explore train ticket prices here.
Best times to visit the beaches near Florence Italy
A lot of people tend to go around June or July, but it can be very busy. Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, and Marina di Pisa will probably be the busiest around that time, so you might want to go shoulder season, more like September-ish.
Follonica is a little bit less known, so you can still go mid season, like July. Cinque Terre has smaller beaches, so it is probably going to be more packed, and I would advise around September, maybe even early October, to hit the beach there because it gets pretty busy.
A map of beach towns near Florence Italy
I have also made a map of the beach towns near Florence Italy below, so you can see Florence on the right hand side, Follonica down south, Pisa and Viareggio, and Forte dei Marmi just to the west, with Cinque Terre up north. You can see all the pins I have dropped in there.
I think my favourite of all the beach towns near Florence Italy is probably Viareggio, purely because of the distance.
I put this blog together on the best beaches near Florence Italy, and I hope you like this guide to the beach towns near Florence Italy. If you have been to any other beaches around the area and loved them, please leave a comment in the box below, as I would love to share them with my readers.
Beach towns near Florence Italy FAQ's
Florence to beach by train, how long does it take?
The nearest beach by train is Viareggio, where you can get there in about an hour and 15 minutes.
Where do people from Florence go to the beach?
The quickest is Viareggio. Forte dei Marmi is quite popular too, but a lot of locals will go to Follonica or Cinque Terre, especially closer to that October-ish time.
How far is Florence from the beach?
The closest beach is Viareggio, which is 81 kilometres away and an hour and 15 minutes in the car.
Is there a beach in Florence?
No, there is no beach in Florence, only beaches near Florence Italy that are all covered in the guide above/