Carrara, Tuscany

Overview

Discover Carrara: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

The city of Carrara is located in the North Western province of Massa Carrara, the northern most region in . It shares a border with the neighbouring region of that is world famous now for the .

The marble caves found in Carrara and the town ofmake a great stop to make on your way between and the . The province of is an incredibly fascinating geographical area. As is noticeable in several of the photographs, it looks as though the mountains near Massa and Carrara are all covered with snow and it's quite amazing in the summer looking from the coast to the mountains - high above, these mountains are some of the whitest and most pristine marble-mountains in the world.

The city of Carrara in this Norh Western corner of , has managed to conserve more evidence of its medieval history than its more modern sister town "Massa" has over the centuries, which is more modern on a whole than is Carrara who has a much larger historical centre.

Taking a walk through the town centre of Carrara or visiting the marble caves deep in the mountains behind the town is fascinating. To walk in the same valleys as Michelangelo did as he searched for the perfect marble needed in order make possible the marvelous creations is nothing short of inspiring.

In Carrara, everything that can be built of marble is, and why not? The mountains just behind the city of Carrara have produced some of the finest pieces of marble the world has ever seen.

Quite literally, just stepping out of your door in Carrara will have you walking on this precious stone, for the cobblestones in Carrara are quite literally made out of Marble. It was cheaper for the town to use what was readily available to them, rather than ship other types of rock in.

Some guide books that we have perused say that visiting North Western may not be worth your time unless you are a "marble worshipper", but visiting Massa, Carrara and , give a very interesting and important perspective on , that we believe many people may find interesting and inspirations.

Via Santa Maria, which branches from the spacious piazza where the Academy of Beautiful Arts is located, is a great example of the city's success in maintaining its original Medieval structure.

Carrara's cathedral is very unique in that it consists of a combination of many different styles of architecture as well as marble.

It was started in the 11th century and finished in the 14th. It has a façade which shows clear evidence of two different phases of construction: there's a part with a solid Romanesque base and one part that's very light, with fine thin columns and Gothic style arches.

The art of stone masonry has long been a traditional trade of this Tuscan province. Carrara in particular is famous all over the world for its white marble which is derived from the many marble caves in the area.

The trade generated through the commercial activity involving the marble has always been a source of great income to the city.

Visiting the coastal region in addition to the towns of , Massa and Carrara make for a fascinating day in Northwest .

Plan Your Experience

Explore Carrara

Our own photographs

Carrara Through Our Eyes

Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Carrara, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.

Massa-Carrara Tuscan

Mosaic Works, Massa Carrara, Tuscany

Old Monasteries, Massa Carrara Province - Italy

Marble Caves Massa-Carrara Province, Tuscany

Carrara, Italy - Town by Night with Moon

Marble mountains over the town of Carrara, Tuscany Region, Italy

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Photo Gallery

Castiglion Fiorentino

Viareggio

Volterra

Arezzo

Bagno Vignoni

Barga

Carrara

Castiglion Fiorentino

Chianciano Terme

Chianti

Cortona

Elba Island

Fiesole

Florence

La Verna

Livorno

Lucca

Maremma

Montalcino

Montecatini

Montepulciano

Monteriggioni

Monticchiello

Pienza

Pietrasanta

Pisa

Porto Santo Stefano

San Gimignano

San Miniato

Saturnia

Siena

Terme di San Filippo

Val D'Orcia

Viareggio

8 Beds 16

Air Conditioning +12 more

View Details

Find it faster

Tell Us Where You Want to Go

Search our tours, places to stay and the corners of Italy we know best.

Tell Us Where You Want to Go

Getting here

The Road to Carrara

Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.

Lucca Tuscany Pisa Tuscany, Galileo Galilei Airport Parma Emilia-Romagna Modena Emilia-Romagna Florence Tuscany, Peretola Airport Rome Lazio, Fiumicino Airport

Inside Parma Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists

Beautiful Modena, Emilia Romagna Region Italy

Where you are going Carrara, Tuscany

Starting somewhere else? Tell us where, and we will arrange the car.

Plan my transfer

Your Name*

Your Email*

Your Phone Number*

Dates for Travel (MM/DD/YYYY)

Number of Adults

Number of Kids under 12 years

Your request *

In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and…”
Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent Read their story

“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destinati…”
Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA Read their story

“We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date”
Carol Carson Read their story

“Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve hig…”
Jo Ann West Read their story

“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friend…”
Lucretia Brower Read their story

“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do…”
Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA Read their story