Bars, restaurants, high-class shops and much more: a holiday in Forte dei Marmi will introduce you to the most beautiful part of Versilia. With its unique features and beauty, Forte has always attracted high-class tourists and has long been considered one of Italy's most exclusive holiday destinations. Surrounded by lush pine forests and criss-crossed by tree-lined avenues, Forte dei Marmi gives you the opportunity simply to relax for a few days or, if you prefer, to enjoy the more animated life of its bars, restaurants and clubs. The city's name is a clear reference to its origins. Forte dei Marmi stands at the very end of the road built at the behest of Michelangelo Buonarroti, along which precious marble was transported from the Apuan Alps.
Don't miss a visit to the beach, if only to admire the charming sunset on the waterfront, as the sun fills the sky with thousands of colours reflecting off the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Strolling along its streets or visiting its many bars and restaurants, it's not unusual to come across stars from the world of entertainment and TV attending special soirées and society events that last until the early hours. Among the many establishments in Forte, special mention should be made of the Capannina di Franceschi (inaugurated in 1929), on whose stage the biggest names in international show-biz have performed and still appear today.
The symbol of Forte dei Marmi, in the city centre, is the Fortino: an ancient fortress built by Leopold I, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, in the 1700s, to defend the area, which was being reclaimed at the time, and to encourage urban settlement. Today the building is set in a modern urban centre, with tree-lined avenues and squares that provide tourists with a feeling of relaxation and peace amidst the greenery.
Continuing towards the seafront, you'll see the loading pier that was used in ancient times to ship huge blocks of marble across the world, but which today serves exclusively as a tourist destination. From here, in fact, you can stroll along admiring the spectacular coast of Forte dei Marmi. Another notably interesting part of the city, especially from an architectural point of view, is the Imperial Roman quarter, with villas designed by master architects such as Michelucci, Giò Ponti and Giuseppe Pagano. Here you'll also find the famous Villa Agnelli, now home to the Hotel Augustus, with an underpass leading directly to the sea shore.
A holiday in Forte dei Marmi and in Versilia is always synonymous with fun and night life. Almost all the clubs here are on the waterfront, stretching from Lido di Camaiore to Forte dei Marmi. The most famous include “Nabilia”, “Cavalluccio”, the historic “La Bussola”, “Twiga”, and the aforementioned “Capannina”. The waterfront is lined with shops and cafés, perfect for sipping cocktails while watching the sun dip below the horizon.
Daily arts events are mainly held in summer, when the city fills with tourists. They range from classic shows at the Versiliana Theatre to the Puccini Festival. Also in summer, the open-air theatre in Piazza Dante offers a series of shows of various genres. Shows staged by the “Favolanti Theatre Group for Children”, which tell classic stories in an innovative way for little ones, using marionettes and puppets, are worth a mention. Versilia is full of things to see, discover and above all to experience. Take a look at the holiday packages to Forte dei Marmi and get ready for an unforgettable trip.
