Yes, it is true... but there are also some free beaches; in Viareggio it is going to Torre del Lago, quite far from the center if you don't have a car or almost a bike.

Another free beach is in Marina di Pietrasanta, at the beginning of the seaside, if you arrive from Viareggio; also in this case you must have car or bike, even if there is also the bus... you might ask to your hotel for better informations.

The price for an umbrella and 2 chairs/sunbeds I think is almost 10€/day, if you book for a week or more it can be cheaper. Consider that beaches of Viareggio are usually cheaper, expecially those in Darsena, near Torre del Lago, but as I said, they are quite inconvenient if your hotel is in the center!

Thank you for your replies!!! If its not more than 10 euro I think we just want to rent an umbrella and chairs/sunbed :)

You're welcome! But I was wrong, I have checked on internet and prices are higher! I stay there all the summer, so price is different!

I have found this list of price... I don't know if it is update to this year... mean price is 20€... http://www.viareggino.it/bagni/prezzi.html

First number is the price/day for 2 chairs and one umbrella. Some beaches have also swimmingpool, so they are more expensive. It depends also from the period you go, from the end of July to the first half of August prices are more expensive! But hotels often have conventions with some beaches, so price may be lower... Ask to your hotel!

Here there is a map so you can see how far are beaches from your hotel http://maps.google.it/maps?hl=it&gbv=2&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=stabilimenti+balneari+viareggio+mappa&fb=1&gl=it&hq=stabilimenti+balneari&hnear=0x12d598ae748b72ff:0x4082c90e3e59a90,Viareggio+LU&ei=my-xT57YB4za4QTKhfWbCQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CCgQtgM

If you enlarge it and put the mouse on the red spots along the seaside, you can read the names of the beaches. Viareggio city centre is between the 2 channels (Fossa dell'abate at north and the other, next to Cinema Politeama, at south). The area below the southern channel is called Darsena, were I told you there are the free beach and other beaches that, I think, are cheaper.

I only want to come to Viareggio for a couple of hours and it will be by train. Is it possible to walk along the beach and into the water without having to pay for sun beds? Also are there cafes for use without having a sunbed. Thank you.

There is a free beach area and there are many places to eat along the big main street parallel to the beach.

Of course, if you just walk along the sea or in water and you don't sit down or lie down, you can have free access to the beach: there are some passages between the "bagni". You can enjoy the beach bars without problems, or, however, there are a lot of cafes along the street, how Bookat says.

Hi, i'm just back - as Chiarina advises, Torre del Lago free beach is very nice but you need a car. We paid 36 euros for three persons for 2 days on one of the Lido Camiorie private beaches, but this was one of the cheaper ones on offer