Updated on November 7, 2023
The Tuscan city of Lucca has plenty to do to keep you (and your kids if you’re traveling as a family) busy during your visit. Cycle the city walls, try the local dish of tordelli lucchese (meat ravioli), check out the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, or just wander the city streets.
As the summer temperatures rise, the beach calls. Is there a beach in Lucca, Italy? No. Lucca is about 30 kilometers inland from the Tuscan Coast and its sandy beaches on the Tyrrhenian Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea). Fortunately, the coast is only a 30-minute drive away.
Even in the spring and fall, heading to the beach from Lucca is a pleasant day-trip. In the winter, the towns along the coast are quieter, but you can still find restaurants open, markets running, and shops open. Some of the cities, like Viareggio, have many full-time residents.
There are beaches near Lucca, Italy for all types of travelers – couples, families, solo travelers, and more. With over 200 kilometers of Tuscan coastline, it can be overwhelming to choose which beach to visit. I’ve made it easy for you and listed our favorites – check out The 6 Best Beaches Near Lucca, Italy.
Six Best Beaches Near Lucca, Italy
| Beach (Best For) | Type | Distance From Lucca | How To Get There | Travel Time | Free Beach Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viareggio (Families) | sandy, beach clubs | 30 km | car, train, bus | 35-60 min | Yes |
| Forte dei Marmi (Luxury) | sandy, beach clubs | 37 km | car, bus | 40-90 min | Yes |
| Gombo (Nature) | sandy, wild | 40 km | car | 55 min | Yes |
| Lido di Camaiore (Relaxation) | sandy, beach clubs | 30 km | car, train, bus | 30-90 min | Yes |
| Motrone (Free) | sandy, public facilities | 33 km | car, bus, train/bus | 35 – 90 min | Yes |
| Castiglioncello (Classic Summer) | rocky outcrops, pebbly, sandy, beach clubs | 80 km | car, train | 50 – 90 min | Yes |
These beaches are also easy to visit on a day trip from Florence. You may want to check out our post on Renting a Car in Florence!
Viareggio – Best Family Beach Near Lucca
Viareggio is a lively beach town (even in the winter), full of shops and family-friendly restaurants. Viareggio’s sandy beach is perfect for families.
Rent an umbrella or small tent from one of the bagni (beach clubs) so your family can utilize its convenient facilities – toilets, showers, changing cabins, restaurants, and more. Choose a bagno with a pool (like Bagno Teresa) for a back pocket swimming option.
Our kids love walking along the boardwalk, checking out the shops, and of course, stopping for gelato. The evening passeggiata is a lot of fun because there are so many people out, including tons of families.
Set just off the beach, the Pineta di Ponente (say that fast 10 times!) is a huge pine forest with cycling paths (and bike rentals) and kids’ games and playgrounds. The shade of the tall pines is perfect on a hot summer day. It’s so large that it never feels crowded, but in the busy summer months it can be littered with trash and dog poo.
And if you’re around in February, you’ll get to experience the town’s famous Carnevale.
Parking (pay) can be found along the lungomare, the main road that parallels the beach. Some of the bagni have parking available.
Forte Dei Marmi – Best Luxury Beach Near Lucca, Italy
Forte dei Marmi’s town center screams luxury – from its Italian designer shops and famous market to its fancy restaurants. The beach in Forte dei Marmi is no different. Although expensive, the facilities are fabulous and the bagni are well-maintained and spacious (you won’t have to listen to your neighbor’s conversation). Many of the bagni have excellent restaurants and if you want to head into town for lunch or dinner, you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants and other high-quality establishments.
The beachside nightclubs in Forte dei Marmi are famous throughout Italy and are definitely a place ‘to be seen’ in the summer months.
While the town isn’t full of hotels like other cities along the Versilia Coast (there are many more private homes and villas), there are a few luxury 5-star hotels that cater to your every wish and need.
Its beach also has the Bandiera Blu, awarded for clean beaches.
Forte dei Marmi is also kid-friendly and we love to visit it with our family.
There is plenty of parking available along the seaside and many bagni have parking lots.
Gombo – Best Natural Beach Near Lucca
Kilometers of spectacular wild beaches make up part of the natural reserve of the Parco San Rossore. The protected park is home to many plant and animal species.
Gombo beach and the other beaches here are unique along this part of the Tuscan coast because they aren’t developed and lined with bagni. In comparison, most of the coastline in the area near Lucca is full of bagni and their lines of beach umbrellas and sun loungers.
If you want to escape the crowds and spend time at a clean, untouched beach nestled in the dunes, this beach of fine, golden sand is the place for you.
There are numerous walking itineraries (guided and unguided) for exploring the San Rossore park and its plant life and wildlife. You can join a walking tour that visits the unspoiled Gombo beach. There are no facilities, so make sure you pack in and pack out.
Good To Know: Entrance to the beach is limited – both the number of people and days it’s open. Take a look at the latest info on the San Rossore Visitor’s Center website. You can’t just walk onto Gombo beach. You can visit on a walking tour or reserve an umbrella for a day at the beach. Again, make sure you check out the website for the most up-to-date info.
Lido Di Camaiore – Best Relaxing Beach Near Lucca
Lido di Camaiore is perfect if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to relax and rest. Choose from the many bagni that line the shores. The town isn’t dead – there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and events. But somehow, it manages to retain a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
It beach has the Bandiera Blu – awarded for clean beaches. The beach is wide and the water is shallow with gentle waves.
If you feel like moving your legs, take a nice stroll along the sandy beach or go for a bike ride on the flat bike path that runs between Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi.
In the evening, walk down the beach’s pier (Pontile Bellavista Vittoria) and have an aperitivo while you watch the sunset.
Parking is available along the lungomare (the road that parallels the beach) but it can be tough to find good parking in the summer.
Motrone – Best Free Beach Near Lucca, Italy
If you’re not interested in renting an umbrella or sun lounger and want to skip the Italian beach ‘scene,’ Marina di Pietrasanta’s Motrone beach (‘La Duna di Marina’ to locals) is your best choice.
Even though it’s a free beach, the town has installed toilets, showers, and a bar with food and drinks.
It can be very crowded during the summer months.
It’s also handicap accessible, which is quite rare in Italy.
It’s easy to get to – you can park along the side of the main road, via Lungomare Roma, and walk a few steps to the beach.
Castiglioncello – Best Beach Near Lucca for the Classic Italian Beach Summer
Castiglioncello is a small Italian beach town with rocky outcrops, sandy beaches, and clear water. It was made famous as a setting for Italian films and it’s a popular day trip from Florence by train. We know a lot of couples and families who have been heading to Castiglioncello for years and years – just like their parents and grandparents did.
Relax and swim at the beach, take a break and mingle with Italian families at a cafe, head to a pizzeria for dinner.
It gets plenty of families but note that sometimes access to the water is by ladder or rocks.
Castiglioncello’s beach has been awarded the bandiera blu.
It’s further away from Lucca than some of the other beaches mentioned, but it’s an easy drive and a quick train ride.
You can park on the main road but there aren’t many spaces. It’s easiest to park in a lot like at Pineta Marradi or the train station.
Map Of The Best Beaches Near Lucca, Italy
How To Get To The Beach From Lucca
Lucca is a quick 30-minute drive from the coast. The beaches are best reached by car, but some are also easily reached with public transportation.
Viareggio – You can get to the beach in Viareggio well by car or train. You can also take the bus, but it takes longer. Stick to car or train if you can.
Forte dei Marmi – If you can, drive to Forte dei Marmi. You can also take a bus, but it makes the trip considerably longer.
Gombo – You’ll need to drive to reach Gombo. Occasionally, a bus/shuttle combo is available, but it’s not consistent enough to rely on.
Lido di Camaiore – While you can reach Lido di Camaiore by car, train, or bus, I’d highly recommend driving if possible. It’s much quicker and easier than the train or bus.
Lecciona – You’ll need a car to reach the Lecciona beach.
What To Think About When Choosing A Beach To Visit From Lucca
- Are there bagni, or is it a free beach?
- Are there places to eat or should I bring my own food and drink?
- Is parking easy? Will I have to walk a ways to get to the beach?
- Is the beach made up of sand, pebbles, or large rocks?
- Is the water rough, or are there rip tides present?
- Are there lifeguards on duty?
What Is The Bandiera Blu – Blue Flag?
Italy participates in the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) global program of over 60 countries that awards the blue flag (or bandiera blu) to beaches that satisfy criteria under the categories of:
- Environmental education and information (code of conduct on display; water quality measurements displayed; information on the ecosystem on display; etc)
- Water quality (no sewage or industrial waste; satisfies water quality standards; reefs are monitored; etc)
- Environmental management (trash and recycling bins on or near the beach; beach is clean and kept free of trash; clean toilets are available and waste is disposed of properly; etc)
- Safety and services (lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment available; drinking water available; first aid equipment available; etc)
I hope this helps you decide on which beach to visit from Lucca, Italy. Enjoy the sandy beaches of Tuscany! And when you’re done, keep exploring Tuscany!
Beaches Near Lucca FAQ
The closest beach to Lucca is Viareggio. It’s best reached by car or train.
Yes, you can also visit the Cinque Terre from Lucca. It’s about a 1 hour drive from Lucca to La Spezia, the southern gateway to the Cinque Terre. From the La Spezia Centrale train station, it’s only an 8 minute train ride to the southernmost town of the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore.
If you prefer public transport, you can take the train from Lucca to Riomaggiore, with two changes – in Viareggio and La Spezia.
The beaches in the Cinque Terre are quite different from the beaches of the Versilia Coast mentioned above. The Cinque Terre beaches are mostly pebble beaches or rocky outcrops. There is one sandy beach in Monterosso, but it gets very crowded.
