The Best Hotels in Viareggio

Viareggio Hotels

Set between an awe-inspiring backdrop of jagged, cloud-topped mountains and the azure Mediterranean Sea, Viareggio is about as chic as seaside resorts come. It combines the laid-back glamour of the more northerly Italian Riviera towns with distinctly Tuscan architecture, creating an atmosphere to whisk you back to the Roaring Twenties. It also boasts the most famous carnevale in Italy after Venice – the elaborate parade with gargantuan papier-mâché creations along the seafront is definitely an experience to put on your bucket list.

Things to see

The main seafront promenade in Viareggio is the parade ground for carnevale in February, but it’s an enchanting place for a stroll any time of year. During the day, tourists flit between the beach and cafés, while at dusk, it fills with locals out for their pre-dinner passeggiata. Most cities have rather austere, serious statues as focal points, but not Viareggio. Along the seafront, the Statue of Burlamacco is an eternal reminder of carnival season, sporting a traditional jester’s costume of bright red and white. Viareggio is rich in romance, poetry, and intrigue, nowhere more so than in Piazza Shelley, named in honour of the poet who drowned here. On one side of the square, Villa Paolina is a historic, art nouveau villa, built for Princess Paolina, Napoleon’s sister. She reportedly chose the site because of her love for Shelley’s poems. The highly decorative rooms are well worth exploring.

Hotels in Viareggio

Viareggio has a collection of truly beautiful hotels – some, like the 5-star Principe de Piemonte are historic landmarks in their own right. Such luxury hotels in Viareggio show off art nouveau features aplenty, with ornate and elegant rooms. You’ll be pampered with full spa services, and many of the hotels along the seafront boast rooftop terraces, where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly and take in the view. If it’s a cheap Viareggio hotel you’re after, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Rooms tend to be spacious and well-equipped with free WiFi, tea and coffee makers, and satellite TV.

Where to stay

For that chic, Riviera stay, choose one of the glamorous hotels along the seafront. Outside of peak season, these hotels are great value, and you’ll be just metres from the beach, with fantastic views of the sea. In among the hotels, shops, restaurants, and cafes line the promenade. In the city’s historic centre, you’ll find bijou B&Bs and independent hotels. Here, attractive piazzas and art nouveau villas will be a hit with culture-lovers, while the beach is within easy walking distance. Around Viareggio Harbour, there’s a selection of cheap hotels, and this fishing district has a more traditional, local atmosphere.

How to get to Viareggio

Viareggio is located about 25 kilometres from Pisa’s international airport, Galileo Galilei. The airport receives flights from all over Europe, including from various UK cities. To get to Viareggio from there, you can take a train or a bus from Pisa, or arrange direct transfers. Direct trains are frequent and only take about 15 minutes to reach Viareggio. Trains also connect Viareggio with other major cities, including Florence, 90 minutes away, and Rome, just under 4 hours away. If you plan to explore Tuscany, hiring a car is a good option, but be aware that Viareggio’s centro storico is mostly pedestrianised.