What to take to the beach in Versilia: a practical list (beach club or free beach)

Beaches & beach clubs · 4 min read

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon.it lead to search results, not to one specific product: compare reviews and prices before buying.

Versilia has long fine-sand beaches, split between beach clubs (bagni), where you rent an umbrella and loungers, and stretches of free beach, such as the Lecciona between Viareggio and Torre del Lago. What to bring depends mostly on this: at a beach club the shade is already there; on a free beach you carry everything. This list comes from going to the sea here every summer: no miracle products, only things that really help.

First of all: beach club or free beach?

If you have not decided yet, read our guide beach club or free beach. In short: at a beach club you pay for umbrella and loungers and find showers, toilets and often a bar; a free beach costs nothing, but you bring shade, water and something to lie on.

At a beach club the shade is already there; on a free beach you carry everything.

The basics, wherever you go

• Sunscreen, water-resistant and broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB): SPF 50 sunscreen (Amazon.it). Reapply several times a day and after every swim.
• Hat and sunglasses with UV filter.
• Beach towel: microfibre ones take little space and dry fast. Microfibre beach towel (Amazon.it)
• Water bottle: at noon in summer the sand is hot and water runs out fast. An insulated bottle keeps it cool for hours. Insulated water bottle (Amazon.it)
• Flip-flops: in July and August walking barefoot on dry sand can be really unpleasant.
• Waterproof phone pouch to keep sand and water out. Waterproof phone pouch (Amazon.it)

If you go to a free beach

• Beach umbrella: on this coast the sea breeze often picks up in the afternoon, so choose a wind-resistant model with a good sand screw. Wind-resistant beach umbrella (Amazon.it)
• Or a pop-up beach tent, handy with small children. Beach sun tent (Amazon.it)
• Cool bag with ice packs: many free beaches have no bar nearby. Soft cool bag (Amazon.it)
• Rubbish bag: on free beaches and dunes, what you bring in you take home.
• A light chair or mat if you don't want to lie on a towel all day.

The Lecciona is reached along paths through the dunes and pine wood: pack light and in a backpack, not heavy bags. All the details in our guide Lecciona beach.

With children

• According to AIRC, babies under 6 months should never be in direct sunlight; for older children it recommends SPF 30 or 50, water-resistant and broad-spectrum, reapplied several times. SPF 50 kids sunscreen (Amazon.it)
• A UV-protective T-shirt saves reapplying cream all the time. Kids UV T-shirt (Amazon.it)
• Bucket, spade and moulds: Versilia's fine sand is perfect for castles. Beach toy set (Amazon.it)
• Water shoes are rarely needed: the seabed here is sandy.

For the most family-friendly beaches (and where dogs are allowed) see beaches for kids and dogs.

What you can leave at home

• At a beach club: umbrella, chairs and loungers. They come with the rental.
• Valuables: better left at the hotel. Many clubs have cabins, but a crowded beach is no place for an expensive watch.
• Too many bags: one backpack or a roomy beach bag makes life easier, especially if you arrive by bike along the cycle path.

For the evening

Many people stay on the beach until sunset and then have an aperitivo on the Passeggiata or the pier. A light sweatshirt, a dry change of clothes and a small power bank make a difference. Compact power bank (Amazon.it) For evening ideas read Viareggio's seafront promenade.

Sources: AIRC – Bambini e sole · our Versilia beach guides. General information: opening times, prices and dates change, so always check the official websites.