What to do in Viareggio like a local: 10 tips for travellers

Forget for a moment postcard-perfect green countryside, rolling hills lined with vineyards, olive groves, and Renaissance splendour. This beloved summer destination will make you rethink your idea of Tuscany. The north-western coastline of the region is among the top choices for Italian holidaymakers, not just in the warmer months.

Find out what to do in Viareggio like a true local. While it's world-famous for the extravagant Carnival celebrations and lively beach life, this coastal gem is actually worth visiting all year round.

Naturally, you can experience it at its most authentic thanks to our insider tips. Discover the residents' favourite spots, the best day trips, and what to do when you're short on ideas.

Our guide is packed with the top things to do and see in Viareggio. It's a list of suggestions to help you experience the town like the Viareggini. Ready? Go!

Over the years, this special sugar-coated doughnut filled with custard, chocolate, jam, or other delicious flavours has earned the status of Versilia summer symbol.

In this part of Tuscany, the iconic bombolone is more than just a treat—it’s an institution, an irresistible must-have for every self-respecting foodie.

So, kick off your visit to Viareggio like a local with a sweet sin that food gods will gladly pardon (your dietitian, perhaps less so—but hey, you’re on holiday!). Where should you enjoy it? Anywhere you like—even at the beach.

For just a few euros, you can buy a warm and wonderfully sugary fritter from the roaming vendors who weave between sun loungers and deckchairs at the beach clubs. Or head to the Pineta di Ponente, where a historic café and gelateria have been serving up bomboloni for generations, delighting wave after wave of Viareggio’s children.

Daily life in Viareggio revolves around its long seafront boulevard full of historic cafés, elegant hotels, boutique shops, and grand beach clubs. At the heart of it all is Passeggiata Margherita—or simply la passeggiata, as the locals call it—a quintessential slice of Versilia where the refined yet carefree spirit of the Jazz Age still lingers. Some corners even evoke the charm of a petite Paris with a Tuscan flair.

Some of the most beautiful buildings in town are all set here, stunning examples of early 20th-century Art Nouveau architecture: Supercinema Savoia (1927), Teatro Eden (1939), Emporio Magazzini Duilio 48, Chalet Martini (1899), Gran Caffè Margherita (1929), Villa Tina, Grand Hotel Royal (1925), and the renowned beach clubs Bagno Balena, Bagno Felice, and Bagno Amedeo.  

Explore the promenade on foot or by bike and continue to the lighthouse and nearby piers for a change of scenery.

According to the prestigious Guida Ristoranti d'Italiad'Italia 2024 by Gambero Rosso, Viareggio has the best cocktails in Italy. The historic Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte leads the scene as a true temple of mixology. Nevertheless, in a city famous for having Tuscany's most exciting and well-organised nightlife scene, aperitifs and cocktails are more than just drinks—they're a ritual.

Along the Passeggiata and in the town centre, bars serve up creative and sophisticated beverages, often crafted using innovative techniques and top-quality ingredients.

You'll find beachfront bars excellent for sunset drinks, trendy spots with live music along the Darsena, stylish lounges pairing aperitives with gourmet bites, and laid-back venues in the Pineta di Ponente, favoured by a more mature crowd. The real question isn't what to drink but where to begin.

Viareggio's spectacular Carnival is among the most famous and crowded in Italy. If you plan to visit Viareggio during peak festivities and want to catch the stunning parade along the seafront, it's a good idea to book your accommodations in advance.

Anyway, don't worry if you miss the official dates because the festive spirit lasts all year long! Head to the Cittadella del Carnevale, the theme park dedicated to the art of papier-mâché, where artisans craft spectacular floats and intricate masks. As Carnival winds down, visitors can see the creativity in action and chat with the talented artists behind the scenes.

La Cittadella is also home to the Museo del Carnevale, which remains open year-round. The museum features a permanent exhibition tracing the evolution of the most beloved festival in Viareggio from 1873 to the present day.

No list of local experiences in Viareggio would be complete without a moment to kick off your shoes and sink your feet into the sand. Dubbed the reigning queen of seaside holidays, Viareggio has been a symbol of beach life since the 19th century, when the first tourists were drawn to the golden shores of the Versilia coastline.

Today, the scene remains much the same, with chic beach clubs and their stunning Art Nouveau façades lining the pedestrian-friendly Passeggiata.

For locals, the go-to spot for a sunny day is La Darsena. Beaches here have a little bit of everything: clubs with pools, kids' areas, bars, restaurants, and even a few public stretches.

Those who feel more adventurous can skip the comforts of the major beach clubs and head to the Parco Regionale Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli for wilder landscapes and stunning views.

Fishermen used to prepare this dish directly on their boats, using fish like red scorpionfish, surmullet, goatfish, and rays—all types that wouldn't fetch a good price at the market.

Cacciucco, the hearty seafood stew typical in Livorno and Viareggio, has always been made with "humble" fish simmered in a rich, spicy broth. It's a simple dish, typically served with a few slices of toasted bread flavoured with garlic.

The locals eat it with devotion. In the Viareggio version, cuttlefish and octopus are mainstays, while the rest of the ingredients vary based on what's fresh and the cook's inspiration. The recipe is never quite the same.

For an authentic taste, head to the restaurants around the harbour. You might even find local fishermen sizing you up to see if you're worthy of enjoying their treasured dish.

Meet Camaiore, a charming little town nestled between the beaches of Versilia and the Apuan Alps, just a short drive from Viareggio. Time here is measured in glasses of wine, and the air is filled with the delightful aroma of history—and fresh scarpaccia.

Admire the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, visit the Archaeological Museum, browse the shops along Via del Mezzo, lose yourself in the winding cobblestone streets of the old town. 

If you're in the mood for adventure, follow the CAI trail to Grotta all'Onda, a prehistoric cave with evidence of Neanderthal settlements. Or climb up to Monteggiori, a tiny hilltop village offering breathtaking views over Versilia—and home to a supposedly haunted castle. Legend or reality? If ghost stories intrigue you, be sure to check out our itinerary of Italy's haunted places.

After a day trip beyond the city, it’s time to discover a spot in Viareggio that locals absolutely adore. Take a break from the bustle of the Passeggiata and make your way to Pineta di Ponente, the green oasis at the heart of the town.

Residents come here to jog, cycle, or simply unwind in the cool shade of the maritime pines. Children play happily, grandparents chat on the shaded benches, and the air is filled with the scent of pine resin and sugar-dusted bomboloni.

The tree-lined paths host restaurants, cafés, bars, nightclubs (even for the “over” crowd), bike and rickshaw rentals, playgrounds, tennis and five-a-side football courts, and even a mini-golf course. Want to feel like a true Viareggino? Join the local retirees for a game of bocce. They’re real pros! As the sun sets, the tempting aroma of freshly fried frittelle is impossible to resist.

If you happen to be in town on a sunny day (lucky you), why not strike up a conversation with some local fishermen? You might even pick up a few tips for a boat trip or learn som of their fishing secrets.

 The Molo di Tito and Molo di Levante, at the far end of Viareggio’s promenade, are where the real action happens. Here, you’ll find everything from seasoned pros to hopeful amateurs, all with rods in hand, bravely practising the fine art of patience (with the occasional dramatic sigh when nothing bites).

The peak season? From June to September, when the waters are teeming with gilt-head bream. Mullet are abundant in summer, especially in the southern stretch near the Molo della Madonnina, while the outermost tip is the domain of sea bass and saddled bream.

What makes this area so rich in fish is the Canale Burlamacco, a canal that runs along the pier and brings fresh water straight from Lake Massaciuccoli. The mix of currents attracts mullet, sea bass, and many other species.

And if the fish are too busy for you? Just grab a plate of mixed fried seafood from one of the harbour kiosks. It’s a perfect backup plan, and let’s face it, it probably tastes better than whatever was supposed to be on the end of your line anyway!