Originally a 13th century fishing village today Viareggio is an important tourist port famous all over the world for its shipyards where luxury yachts are built.

There are numerous shops, bars and restaurants along the famous walking boulevard “la passeggiata”, especially known for its fashion boutiques.

Many of buildings on the sea-side are Liberty style. Two striking examples are “I Magazzini Duilio 48” and “Gran Caffè Margherita” designed by architects Belluomini and Chini.

Viareggio?s carnival, a traditional festival which has been celebrated since 1873 with multicoloured papier maché floats and masks.