The Apuan Coast, also known as Apuan Riviera, includes the seacoast and the flat hinterland placed between the Versilia and Magra rivers, with the Apuan Alps to the East. The Ligurian Sea laps the shores from Liguria Region to the promontory of Piombino.
The Apuan Riviera includes the areas which go from the South-Eastern side of La Spezia (in Liguria) to the North-Western side of Tuscany (in the province of Massa-Carrara) on the border with Versilia.
This area includes the following municipalities:
- Ameglia (Liguria Region)
- Sarzana (Liguria Region)
- Carrara (Tuscany)
- Massa (Tuscany)
- Montignoso (Tuscany).
In the Apuan Coast, visitors will find beautiful, large, sandy beaches and in some places outfalls of smaller water courses. The main sea resorts are: Marinella di Sarzana, Marina di Carrara, Marina di Massa, Ronchi.
Sea tourism here is the essential element for Apuan Riviera economy in summertime, but in the surrounding areas we also find many cultural sights, such as the archaeological site of Luni as well as the noteworthy historical centres of Sarzana, Carrara and Massa.
The city of Massa preserves intact important artworks such as the Duomo of the Saints Pietro and Francesco, the pieve of San Vitale a Mirteto and San Gimignano ad Antona, the church of San Leonardo al Frigido. In the centre of the city, we find the Palazzo Ducale, located in Piazza Aranci.
Massa is dominated by the outstanding Malaspina castle, which dates back to 10th-11th century and in 15th century was enlarged with a renaissance building with marble decorations around the windows and polychromatic drawings on the walls. From the castle, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city, the Apuans and the Apuan Coast.
In Carrara, you can visit the splendid Cathedral (Duomo), a Roman Catholic church covered by local Carrara marble. The so-called city of marble is an open-air testimony of the importance that this material had on its history; some great examples are the museum Cava Fantiscritti, the Civic Museum of Marble, the Church of Suffragio and the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie.
Close to both sea and mountains, the Apuan Riviera offers many treasures to discover and visit, but also many delicious local products deriving from its rolling hills and green, fertile lands.
Local products are wines, Lardo di Colonnata (lard from Colonnata), Testaroli al pesto, chestnut honey, Panigacci, mushrooms, Focaccette from Aulla, Torte d'erbi, olive bread, chestnut bread and many more.