Making the most of Marina di Carrara
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
This is a container ship port, not very pretty, it is a very long walk into the town of Carrara which is inland from Marina di Carrara.
Complimentary shuttles are provided by the port to Carrara. Every half an hour, less so during Siesta time.
Marina di Carrara, a real Italian beachtown is only a short walk away. Turn left as you exit the port.
Marina di Carrara is a modern seaside resort with many facilities and a fine, large, soft sandy beach stretching between the blue on one side and green pine-woods on the other one. All parts of the beach are divided in to "Bagni", places where tourist can rent chairs, umbrellas, etc. with showers, changing facilities and lifeguards. However you are free to stroll along the water and have a drink at the many terraces.
The dramatic white-marked mountains behind Marina di Carrara have played a key role in sculpting Italy’s historic looks. What looks like snow, is in fact some of the purest marble in the world – used to build Rome’s famous Pantheon and Trajan’s Column. Anchoring here means you’re an hour and 45 minutes’ drive from Florence, which is blessed with world-class art and pretty Renaissance buildings. Pisa, meanwhile, lies just 50 minutes down the coast.
Getting around
Walk to the Carrara Avenza train station. It is quite close. Direct train to Pisa: about 1 hour To Florence, well over 2 hours with change at either Pisa or Viareggio
Nearby places
Carrara, 20 minutes’ drive inland, is nicknamed the Marble City. You’ll see it pretty much everywhere you look, including the pavements, sculptures, fountains, and the main cathedral.
Money
Euro
Staying connected
Language: Italian.
WiFi can be found both in the city center, as well as at the waterfront.
Emergency number: 112
Opening Hours and
Most shops and businesses in Italy open from Monday to Saturday from around 8am until 1pm, and from about 4pm until 7pm, though many shops close on Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings, and in the south, the day can begin and end an hour later. In the north, some businesses work to a 9am-5pm day to facilitate international dealings. Traditionally, everything except bars and restaurants closes on Sunday, though most towns have a pasticceria open in the mornings, while in large cities and tourist areas, Sunday opening is becoming more common.