The southernmost Italian Riviera style resort and largest beach town in Tuscany, Viareggio is best known for its pre-Lenten festivities, miles of sandy beaches and shallow waters. The seafront promenade bustling with shops, cafes, and seafood restaurants is most popular, especially during the evening passeggiata.

Places of interest include Piazza Shelley, named after the poet Shelley who drowned off the coast in 1822 and Villa Paolina, one of several art nouveau villas. Viareggio also hosts one of Italy's top carnival parades for the four Sundays leading up to Lent. The Tuscan town keeps the energy going with theatre presentations, fireworks and traditional masked carnival balls throughout the four-week festival. The Museo Cittadella del Carnevale exhibits floats, masks, carnival postcards, and other memorabilia related to the carnival.