Free Beaches in Forte dei Marmi

In a city known for its high-cost beach concessions, there are precious few pieces of free sand available. Forte dei Marmi attracts VIPs, stars, and industrial magnates from Rome, Florence and Milano thanks to its easy-access location to all those cities. Many of the seemingly simple beach providers furnish much more than a humble umbrella and chair: some have beds under canopied cabanas, pools, swanky restaurants and chair-side service that can easily cost from €300 up to a staggering €1,000 -for A DAY of sun!

But if you're a DIY type of beach goer who wants a simple swath of sand to throw down your blanket then you're not without any options, even in this rich resort.

1) FREE Beach at WWF Park Le Dune di Forte dei Marmi. Go to the north end of the town towards Massa, after the cross-street of Via A. Canova and you'll see the small but oasis-like dunes that make up the 3.2 hectares of the WWF park. It has been left in its natural state, to show what the entire Versilia coast looked like before development and to preserve that natural environment. Walk in through the dunes and you'll find other nature-lovers staking out some sand, using driftwood sticks to create make-shift tents for shade.

2) FREE Beach on the south side of Forte dei Marmi. There is a small piece of free and open beach a bit to the south at Pietrasanta, located next to the sailing club called Club Velico di Pietrasanta. There are beach bars and restaurants at the neighboring "Bagni" concessions, and a city pay parking lot across the street.