Carrara
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Latest page update: 24 May 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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Where to Stay
Where to Stay in Carrara
Carrara has a modest but good-quality selection of established hotels, catering mainly to visitors exploring the marble quarries or the nearby coast. Most accommodation is found in the town centre or within easy reach of Marina di Carrara, offering solid facilities and reliable service.
Hotel Michelangelo stands out as the top choice, offering spacious rooms, a rooftop terrace, restaurant and wellness area, praised for its comfort, cleanliness and professional staff (€€€). Hotel Morgana, located between Carrara and the coast, provides modern rooms, a restaurant and free parking, earning strong reviews for convenience and value (€€). For a quiet setting with easy access to both the marble district and seaside, Hotel Tenda Rossa in Marina di Carrara offers well-equipped rooms and attentive service, well regarded for its location and welcoming atmosphere (€€).
Hotel Michelangelo stands out as the top choice, offering spacious rooms, a rooftop terrace, restaurant and wellness area, praised for its comfort, cleanliness and professional staff (€€€). Hotel Morgana, located between Carrara and the coast, provides modern rooms, a restaurant and free parking, earning strong reviews for convenience and value (€€). For a quiet setting with easy access to both the marble district and seaside, Hotel Tenda Rossa in Marina di Carrara offers well-equipped rooms and attentive service, well regarded for its location and welcoming atmosphere (€€).
Where is
Where is Carrara?
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The city of Carrara is the second city of the Province of Massa & Carrara with a population of 62,285 inhabitants. Standing at an elevation of 100 metres above sea level, it lies 120 kilometres north west of Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany.
Mention Carrara to any Italian and they'll tell you that the city is the most famous centre of marble production in the country. |
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Comune di Carrara
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Province: Massa and Carrara
Region: Tuscany Population: 59,793 (in 2024 - source) Size: 71 km² Elevation: 100 metres Highlights: Piazza Alberica, Cathedral, marble quarries Close by: Massa, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Viareggio |
What People Ask About Carrara
Is Carrara worth visiting?
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Discover
Discover Carrara
Carrara is a city in northern Tuscany, located at the foot of the Apuan Alps near the Liguria border. It lies a few kilometres inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea and is world-renowned for its white marble, quarried from the surrounding mountains since Roman times. The city developed along the Carrione River, with its historic centre marked by narrow streets, marble façades and lively piazzas framed by stone buildings.
The Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, built from local marble, stands as Carrara’s most distinctive monument, while the Piazza Alberica and the Ducal Palace reflect its Renaissance prosperity. The nearby Marble Museum traces the history and craftsmanship that made the city famous. Winding roads lead from Carrara up to the marble quarries in the Apuan Alps, offering dramatic views over the mountains and coast. The city’s position provides easy access to Massa, La Spezia, and the resorts along the Apuan Riviera.
The Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, built from local marble, stands as Carrara’s most distinctive monument, while the Piazza Alberica and the Ducal Palace reflect its Renaissance prosperity. The nearby Marble Museum traces the history and craftsmanship that made the city famous. Winding roads lead from Carrara up to the marble quarries in the Apuan Alps, offering dramatic views over the mountains and coast. The city’s position provides easy access to Massa, La Spezia, and the resorts along the Apuan Riviera.
Things to Do
Things to Do in Carrara
- Centro Storico di Carrara is an elegant Tuscan town where wide streets and narrow alleys wind among marble-clad palaces, historic squares, and terracotta rooftops. White marble façades, sculpted details, and flower-filled balconies add beauty and distinction to the urban landscape. The town sits at the foot of the Apuan Alps in northern Tuscany, surrounded by marble quarries that have shaped its history. Its atmosphere blends vibrant city life with the quiet grandeur of artistic tradition.
- Duomo di Sant’Andrea stands proudly in Carrara, with a striking Romanesque façade crafted from white and grey marble. Inside are marble pulpits, intricate sculptures, and fine decorative details reflecting the town’s artistic mastery. The cathedral remains central to religious life and cultural events. It’s an impressive and peaceful place to visit while exploring Carrara’s streets.
- Piazza Alberica serves as the social and cultural heart of Carrara, edged with grand buildings, marble statues, and lively cafés. Locals and visitors gather here for markets, festivals, and everyday conversation. Outdoor seating offers views of elegant façades and the surrounding mountains. The square reflects the lively yet refined rhythm of life in this marble town.
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara is housed in a historic palace and plays a vital role in preserving Carrara’s artistic heritage. The academy trains sculptors and artists, many of whom work in the local marble industry. Its halls are filled with plaster casts, sculptures, and art exhibitions. Visiting connects visitors to Carrara’s legacy as a world centre for marble art.
- Guided marble and quarry tours in Carrara take visitors into the dramatic white marble mountains, exploring both ancient and modern quarries. Local guides share stories about Michelangelo, quarrying techniques, and the lives of marble workers. Tours often include visits to artisan workshops and tastings of local delicacies. It’s a unique way to connect with the cultural and geological splendour of northern Tuscany.
Tours and Activities
Carrara Tours and Activities
Photo Gallery
Carrara Photo Gallery
Tuscany Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Tuscany
1. Florence
2. Siena
3. Val d'Orcia
4. Pisa
5. Lucca
6. San Gimignano
7. Giglio
8. Volterra
9. Pienza
10. Elba
👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Tuscany
1. Florence
2. Siena
3. Val d'Orcia
4. Pisa
5. Lucca
6. San Gimignano
7. Giglio
8. Volterra
9. Pienza
10. Elba
👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Tuscany
How to Get to [Place Name]
How to Get to Carrara
By Rail: Carrara is served by the Carrara-Avenza railway station, located about 5 kilometres from the historic centre, on the Pisa–La Spezia line operated by Trenitalia. Regional trains connect Carrara to Pisa in around 50 minutes, to La Spezia in approximately 35 minutes, and to Florence in about 2 hours with a change in Pisa. Local buses and taxis link the station to the town centre and the marble quarries area.
By Road: The city is situated in northern Tuscany, near the Ligurian border and the Apuan Alps. From Pisa, the distance is around 60 kilometres, with a driving time of roughly 50 minutes via the A12 motorway. From Florence, it is approximately 130 kilometres and takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, while from La Spezia it is about 25 kilometres, with a journey time of around 25 minutes. Parking is available near the old town and along the main roads leading to the marble district.
Nearest International Airports:
By Road: The city is situated in northern Tuscany, near the Ligurian border and the Apuan Alps. From Pisa, the distance is around 60 kilometres, with a driving time of roughly 50 minutes via the A12 motorway. From Florence, it is approximately 130 kilometres and takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, while from La Spezia it is about 25 kilometres, with a journey time of around 25 minutes. Parking is available near the old town and along the main roads leading to the marble district.
Nearest International Airports:
- Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport: Located about 60 kilometres from Carrara, with a driving time of around 50 minutes. It offers a wide range of domestic, European, and seasonal international flights.
- Florence Peretola Airport: Approximately 130 kilometres away, the journey takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. It provides regular services to several European and national destinations.
- Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport: Roughly 110 kilometres from Carrara, with a driving time of around 1 hour and 40 minutes. It serves numerous European and international routes.
Private Transfers
Carrara Private Transfers
A private transfer offers a comfortable and reliable way to reach Carrara or continue your journey to other destinations in Tuscany and northern Italy. You’ll be collected from your chosen location and taken directly to your destination by a professional driver, without the need to organise train connections or drive through the region’s industrial and mountain roads yourself.
From Carrara, transfers can connect you with Pisa International Airport and Florence Airport, while longer routes are also available to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport. They are also convenient for shorter trips to nearby towns such as Massa, Forte dei Marmi, and La Spezia, or for travelling further across the Apuan Alps and the northern Tuscan coastline.
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.
From Carrara, transfers can connect you with Pisa International Airport and Florence Airport, while longer routes are also available to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport. They are also convenient for shorter trips to nearby towns such as Massa, Forte dei Marmi, and La Spezia, or for travelling further across the Apuan Alps and the northern Tuscan coastline.
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.
