Forte dei Marmi

Italy, Italy

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Forte dei Marmi is an upscale seaside resort in Tuscany’s Versilia coast, famous for its pristine sandy beaches, luxury beach clubs, and glamorous atmosphere that has attracted wealthy tourists, artists, and writers like Thomas Mann and Aldous Huxley for decades.

The town takes its name, meaning “marble fort,” from an 18th-century fortress built in 1778 to protect marble shipments from the nearby Apuan Alps quarries where Michelangelo sourced his stone. Visitors enjoy a 5-kilometer stretch of fine sandy beach with gently sloping seabeds perfect for families, colorful wooden cabins at historic bathing establishments, and a iconic 300-meter pier called the Pontile that offers sea views and walks.

The town is equally known for high-fashion shopping with designer boutiques like Armani and Gucci, excellent dining from starred restaurants to traditional trattorias serving local dishes like tordelli pasta, and vibrant nightlife. Beyond the beach, Forte dei Marmi features elegant villas surrounded by parks, weekly antiques markets in winter, the patron saint festival of Sant’Ermete with fireworks in summer, and easy access to nearby Pisa, Lucca, and the Apuan Alps Natural Park for hiking and cave exploration.