Carrara

Travel Guide

Carrara
Carrara
Photo by Robert Dragomir
Photo by Ellemieke
Photo by Tom Workman

Revel in the beauty of this commune’s marble mountains and learn about its quarrying and carving traditions that have endured since the Roman Age.

Carrara is a city and wider commune best known for its crowning peaks of gleaming white marble. Established in the early 2nd century B.C. as a residence for Ancient Roman quarrymen, Carrara’s reputation for its superior stone has reached across the world. Discover exquisitely preserved architecture and time-honored sculpture academies in this enchanting city, as well as the marble quarries from which some of Italy’s great masterpieces were hewn.

Explore the streets of the old town and find a gorgeous collection of heritage buildings and medieval treasures. With its backdrop of marble-crusted mountaintops and streets dotted with sculptures and statues, the city is breathtaking at every turn. Admire the Carrara Cathedral, a magnificent 12th-century building with an ornate façade carved from local marble. Visit the Fine Arts Academy within the old Ducal Palace (Palazzo Cybo Malaspina), which incorporates elements of its original 13th-century construction with a 16th-century Renaissance palace. Learn about the local anarchist movement started by radical-thinking quarry workers and international revolutionists at the end of the 19th century.

The city contains a collection of superb churches. Check out the Baroque 17th-century San Francesco Convent and Church of the Suffragio. Other highlights include the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie alla Lugnola and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Torano.

Be sure to visit the fine art academies and galleries exhibiting the city’s antiquities. Go on a thrilling four-wheel-drive tour around the city’s marble quarries, which provided the smooth stone used in Rome’s Pantheon, Trajan’s Column and Michelangelo’s David. The Cava Museo Carrara a Fantiscritti provides a fascinating insight into the city’s ancient tradition. From the Cave di Marmo, you can see all the way to the Ligurian-Tuscan coastline. A short drive to the waterfront will bring you to a collection of gorgeous resorts and beaches in Marina di Carrara.

Carrara is located at the foot of the Apuan Alps in the Massa Carrara province. It is less than an hour’s drive or train ride from La Spezia. Enjoy the mild Tuscan climate in Carrara at any time of the year. Don’t miss a visit to the marble capital of the world and add Carrara to your Tuscan trip.

The Poet Hotel
The Poet Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Roma, 139, La Spezia, SP
The price is P14,452 per night from Jul 1 to Jul 2
P14,452
P16,223 total
Jul 1 - Jul 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (783 reviews)
"The hotel was so close to train access that it made getting to Cinque de Terre so easy. The hotel was darling and had a cool vibe that was so welcoming. Breakfast was outstanding and well appreciated!"

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2025

The Poet Hotel
Locanda Valeria
Locanda Valeria
Localita Comenecco, 1, Vernazza, SP
Stay at this guesthouse in Vernazza. Enjoy free breakfast, an attached winery, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Vernazza Beach and Cinque Terre Marine ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (102 reviews)
"What an amazing stay! The host were so friendly and breakfast was amazing. A.c in the room worked and the view was great. The room was great for two people. The hike down to town was steeo and short, it was fun for us because we are active and do it often. If you are out of shape I would not reccomend ..."

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2025

Locanda Valeria
Atmosfere Guest House - 5 Terre e La Spezia
Atmosfere Guest House - 5 Terre e La Spezia
Via Napoli nr 21, La Spezia, SP
Stay at this guesthouse in La Spezia. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and satellite TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (582 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Atmosfere Guest House - 5 Terre e La Spezia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel Villa Undulna - Terme della Versilia
Hotel Villa Undulna - Terme della Versilia
4 out of 5
viale Marina 191, Cinquale, Montignoso, MS
Stay at this 4-star beach residence in Montignoso. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (103 reviews)
"Property itself was ultra clean and the staff were amazing. The building is a little dated but perfectly functional. Unfortunately, the drawback of the area is that the beaches are mostly fully reserved for the entire season by Italians from the city and so it is almost impossible to get a place ..."

Reviewed on Nov 24, 2024

Hotel Villa Undulna - Terme della Versilia
Elegant Apartments 5 Terre La Spezia
Elegant Apartments 5 Terre La Spezia
Via Del Prione 144, La Spezia, SP
Stay at this aparthotel in La Spezia. Enjoy parking (surcharge), premium bedding, and hydromassage showerheads. Popular attractions La Spezia Cruise Terminal ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (39 reviews)
"The facility was excellent-well kept, clean and spacious for 2 people. The instructions for check in and check out were clear."

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2025

Elegant Apartments 5 Terre La Spezia
Il Borgo di Campi
Il Borgo di Campi
2 out of 5
Strada Litoranea delle 5 Terre, Riomaggiore, SP
Stay at this aparthotel in Riomaggiore. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a garden, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions La Spezia Cruise Terminal ...
7.8/10 Good! (281 reviews)
"The view is amazing."

Reviewed on May 25, 2025

Il Borgo di Campi
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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