Massa
By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 14 March 2022
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The city of Massa is the capital city of the Province of Massa & Carrara with a population of 68,889 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 65 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 94 km² and lies 110 kilometres north west of Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany. Massa is split into two distinct areas, separated by eight kilometres: the main area of the city lies inland in a slight elevated position while Marina di Massa is a seaside beach resort. |
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Sights in Massa include the main square called Piazza Aranci - a square lined with orange trees and flanked by the Palazzo Ducale. Just around the corner from the Piazza lies Massa Cathedral while looming on a hill overlooking the city is the 12th century castle: Castello Malaspina.
Massa's train station is called Massa Centro and it lies 2 kilometres from Piazza Aranci, a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride (routes L60 or L61), followed by a 5 minute walk. Trains run south from Massa to Florence with a journey time of an hour and 54 minutes, stopping along the way at the seaside resorts of Forte dei Marmi (6 minutes), Pietrasanta (10 minutes) and Viareggio (19 minutes) followed by the city of Pisa (40 minutes) along the way. There are also faster connections available to Florence by changing in Pisa to take a faster train. Heading north, it's just a 6 minute train ride to Carrara, the train eventually continuing to the Ligurian port town of La Spezia (30 minutes).
The most convenient airport for Massa is Pisa Airport which is a 36 minute drive away (55 km), while Tuscany's other major airport, Florence Airport, is the next best option at an hour and 15 minutes away (114 km).
Places to visit close to Massa include the seaside resorts of the Versilia Coast mentioned above, while heading inland there's the town of Carrara, famous for its marble production. Heading north it's only a short distance to the neighbouring region of Liguria with the town of Sarzana a particular highlight. Beyond Sarzana and further into Luguria lie some of the best seaside towns in Italy including Lerici, Portovenere and the five villages of the Cinque Terre.
Massa's train station is called Massa Centro and it lies 2 kilometres from Piazza Aranci, a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride (routes L60 or L61), followed by a 5 minute walk. Trains run south from Massa to Florence with a journey time of an hour and 54 minutes, stopping along the way at the seaside resorts of Forte dei Marmi (6 minutes), Pietrasanta (10 minutes) and Viareggio (19 minutes) followed by the city of Pisa (40 minutes) along the way. There are also faster connections available to Florence by changing in Pisa to take a faster train. Heading north, it's just a 6 minute train ride to Carrara, the train eventually continuing to the Ligurian port town of La Spezia (30 minutes).
The most convenient airport for Massa is Pisa Airport which is a 36 minute drive away (55 km), while Tuscany's other major airport, Florence Airport, is the next best option at an hour and 15 minutes away (114 km).
Places to visit close to Massa include the seaside resorts of the Versilia Coast mentioned above, while heading inland there's the town of Carrara, famous for its marble production. Heading north it's only a short distance to the neighbouring region of Liguria with the town of Sarzana a particular highlight. Beyond Sarzana and further into Luguria lie some of the best seaside towns in Italy including Lerici, Portovenere and the five villages of the Cinque Terre.
Comune di Massa
Province: capital of Massa and Carrara
Region: Tuscany Population: 66,977 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 94 km² Elevation: 65 metres Highlights: Piazza Aranci, Palazzo Ducale, Cathedral, Castle Close by: Carrara, Forte dei Marmi, Lido di Camaiore, Viareggio Recommended accommodation: Hotel Il Buongustaio |
Public transport: train station 2 km from centre, local buses
By train: Forte dei Marmi - 6 minutes, Pietrasanta - 10 minutes |
By car: Pisa - 43 mins (50 km), Lucca - 44 mins (50 km)
Fly to: Pisa Airport - 36 minutes by car (55 km) |
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