Carrara is the world capital of white marble, where Michelangelo sourced stone for his sculptures, with quarry tours, workshops and a historic centre.
Carrara lies in the Apuan Alps foothills, about 55 km from Pisa. The marble of Michelangelo's statues comes from these quarries. Visitors take a regional train to Carrara-Avenza and a bus into town, then book a quarry tour. Colonnata is known for lardo, cured pork fat aged in marble basins.
| Distance | About 55 km north-west of Pisa |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1 hour 15 minutes by train and bus |
| Getting there | Train (Trenitalia Regionale from Pisa Centrale to Carrara-Avenza), then local bus to Carrara and the marble quarries |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Piazza Alberica, 54033 Carrara MS, Italy |
How to get there
- Mode
- Train and bus
- Duration
- About 1 hour 15 minutes
- Notes
- Regionale to Carrara-Avenza station, then a local bus to Carrara town and the quarry valleys
- Mode
- Car
- Duration
- About 50 minutes
- Notes
- Via the A12 to the Carrara exit; quarry roads are steep and narrow
Suggested itinerary
- Take the train to Carrara-Avenza, bus to town, join a quarry tour, taste lardo di Colonnata and return before evening.
Location
Piazza Alberica, 54033 Carrara MS, Italy
44.0793, 10.0976 View on map
Highlights
- Cave di Marmo quarry tours at Fantiscritti
- Colonnata and its lardo
- Carrara Cathedral and old town
- Marble sculpture studios
- Museo del Marmo
Tips for visiting
- Quarry tours need advance booking
- Wear sturdy shoes
- Some quarry roads are only open to tour vehicles
When to visit
Spring and autumn.
Accessibility
Mixed; quarry tours use off-road vehicles and are not suited to wheelchair users.
Frequently asked questions
What can I see in Carrara?
Active marble quarries, the town centre, marble workshops and the Museo del Marmo.
Do I need a tour?
The quarries are best seen on a guided jeep tour.