Free walking tours in Carrara and what to see

Must-sees

Carrara is in northern Tuscany, between the Apuan Alps and the sea, and its name is bound up with the white marble quarried from its mountains since Roman times. In the old town, the cathedral of Sant'Andrea has a façade of white and dark marble with a large rose window. On Piazza del Duomo are the statue of the Giant and a plaque recalling Michelangelo's stay. Nearby, Palazzo Cybo Malaspina houses the Academy of Fine Arts.

Stroll through Piazza Alberica and the streets of 17th and 18th-century palazzi. To understand the marble, the Civic Marble Museum shows the history of its quarrying. But what you must not miss are the quarries: in the valleys of Colonnata, Fantiscritti and Torano, the mountains appear cut into white blocks. Colonnata is also where the famous lardo is cured in marble basins.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours of Carrara's centre. The star activity is an outing to the marble quarries: Civitatis offers a 4x4 tour up the tracks of the marble valleys. Some quarries can also be visited with their own guides, including underground galleries and a Roman quarry near Colonnata.

How long to spend

The historic centre and the marble museum can be seen in half a day. The quarries need another half day, especially if you add a lunch stop in Colonnata. With a full day you see the essentials. If you go in summer, you can add an afternoon on the beach at Marina di Carrara, or visit Sarzana, Lerici or the Versilia coast.

Where to stay

To explore the town and the quarries, Carrara's historic centre has guesthouses and small hotels. If you prefer the sea, Marina di Carrara, a few kilometres away, has more hotels near the beach and the harbour. If you travel by car you can also stay in Colonnata, small and quiet, among the quarries.