Water parks and beach resorts: Versilia coast – where waves meet water slides

When the sun shines like liquid gold over the Ligurian Sea and the Apuan Alps merge into the haze, the Versilia coast comes to life in summer – a dream destination for beach lovers, water enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation alike. But there is more to it than just the shimmering sandy beach and the glamorous seaside resorts: water parks and beach resorts that catapult coastal life into new dimensions.

Versilia: Between sunbathing and social life

Anyone visiting a beach resort in Versilia for the first time will be surprised. There are no towels scattered across the sand, no parasols stuck haphazardly in the ground. Here, order reigns. And ritual. The bagni function like small microcosms: numbered sun loungers, well-maintained changing rooms, showers with hot water, sometimes even a small pool – for those who find the sea too unpredictable. The service ranges from espresso served at your sun lounger to grilled fish in the beach kitchen on request.

But it is not just the comfort that makes these bathing establishments special. It is their social function. Here, the beach is not only a place for bathing, but also for seeing and being seen. In the shade of striped sunshades, conversations take place, friendships are cultivated, rumours are exchanged. The beach resort is both a stage and a living room, a meeting place for generations.

Viareggio: classicism under palm trees

In Viareggio, the historic centre of Versilia, the concept of the bagni unfolds in all its glory. The kilometre-long promenade, flanked by palm trees, Art Deco villas and grand hotels, forms the elegant backdrop to the beach. In front of it, the bathing establishments are strung together like pearls on a necklace. Each has its own name, its own logo, its own history. Some families have been running their bathing establishments for three or four generations.

The crowd is mixed: Florentines who traditionally spend their August here, Milanese on weekend trips, local regulars. German voices can also be heard here and there – not loudly, but with sun-tanned matter-of-factness. Those who come here know the rhythm: in the morning, the newspaper at the table, then a swim in the calm water, later pasta in the beach restaurant. In the afternoon, an Aperol, served on your own terrace with a view of the sea.

Lido di Camaiore: between family life and sunset

South of Viareggio is Lido di Camaiore, more modest, more family-oriented, but no less charming. The beach resorts here are also professionally run, but the atmosphere is less sophisticated and more welcoming. Children play in the shallow water, grandparents sit in the shade playing cards, while parents lose themselves in novels.

The famous pier, which juts out far into the sea, is a meeting place in the evening for walkers, lovers and photographers. When the sun sinks behind the mountains and the water is bathed in pink, the day becomes a small, private memory. Those who prefer a quieter atmosphere stay here – and enjoy the fact that Versilia can be not only spectacular, but also gentle.

Forte dei Marmi: Beach with style

The scene in Forte dei Marmi is quite different. Here, the sand shines a little brighter, the sun loungers are spaced a little more generously, and the service is reminiscent of a boutique hotel. Guests wear designer sunglasses and subtle perfumes, while ice-cold Franciacorta is served on the tables. Anyone spending a day at one of Forte's exclusive bagni could be forgiven for thinking they were at a private beach club on the Côte d'Azur.

And yet it remains Tuscan. The men smoking cigars in linen trousers are often the same ones who eat ravioli made by their nonna at the family restaurant in the evening. The beach resorts of Forte dei Marmi maintain their nobility not through segregation, but through discipline and stylistic confidence. Here, summer is not a spontaneous event, but a cultivated ritual.

Pietrasanta and Marina di Massa: between art and coast

If you drive further north, you will discover the quieter sides of Versilia. Marina di Pietrasanta attracts visitors with its spacious bathing establishments and a surprisingly artistic flair – nearby Pietrasanta has been a magnet for sculptors and artisans for decades. The combination of sea and marble, sand and sculpture, gives the place a subtle depth.

In Marina di Massa, finally, the boundary between holiday resort and place of residence becomes blurred. Here, you are less likely to encounter tourists than Italians who take advantage of the proximity to the sea every day. The bathing establishments are functional, well-maintained, less staged – and charming precisely because of this. You can sense that here, the beach is not a backdrop, but part of life.

When the beach takes a break

As much as the Versilia coast lives from its tradition, it is also open to modern leisure activities. And sometimes you need a short break from the constant sound of the surf, a dose of action, a change of scene. For those travelling with children or longing for a day away from the classic sun lounger structure, another chapter of summer opens up along the coast: water parks that oscillate between fun pools and tropical settings.

Tropical dreams in Follonica: Acqua Village as a South Sea backdrop

A little south of the actual Versilia coast, but still within easy reach, lies Acqua Village Follonica – a kind of Hawaiian-style parallel universe. Plastic palm trees, waterfalls, tiki statues and artificial volcanoes form the backdrop for a day that feels more like an amusement park than classic swimming. The slides have names like ‘Walu’ or ‘Kamakama,’ and the staff greet guests in colourful shirts. It's loud, colourful, sometimes over-the-top – and that's exactly what makes it so great. Families spend whole days here, teenagers compete in sliding contests, while the little ones splash around in shallow pools. If you felt like the day was passing in slow motion on the beach, here you'll experience the opposite: a day that flies by at breakneck speed and leaves you with a little muscle soreness afterwards.

Acqua Village Cecina: where water becomes an adventure

A little further north, near Cecina Mare, lies its sister site: Acqua Village Cecina. Here, too, the illusion of the South Seas reigns supreme, with the difference that the complex is even larger and more diverse. While Follonica is dominated by a family-friendly atmosphere, Cecina offers the full repertoire of slides, wave pools and themed areas. The standards are significantly higher: with a mixture of adventure architecture and water fun, the day is meant to be more than just an outing – it's a constant adventure. The theme is so consistently carried through that after your visit, you almost forget you're in Tuscany. And yet the beach is only a few minutes away.

These three destinations show that the Tuscan coast is not just endless sun loungers and sun-tanned regulars. It can also be loud, playful and staged, adding another facet to the summer experience.