Closer Than You Think: The Beaches Near Villa Mucci
Updated: Aug 31
Surprisingly, Agliano Terme sits within striking distance of the sea. The Ligurian coast is the closest option under two hours by car, whether you're headed to Portofino or Varigotti. Push further south into the northern coast of Tuscany and you're looking at closer to three hours, which turns the trip into its own occasion rather than a quick escape - maybe a weekend getaway. We've taken all three routes and are happy to share our opinions about where to go, and the three beaches highlighted below offer different experiences, depending on what you are up for.
Carillon Dolce & Gabbana, Portofino
This is the one to book if you want the full production, "rich and famous" style. Carillon sits on Paraggi Bay between Santa Margherita and Portofino, and it's D&G's beach club through and through: brilliant emerald green & white in their classic patterns, guests who dress for the occasion, and an impressive menu that takes lunch as seriously as dinner. The drive from the villa runs close to two hours, about the same as our trip to Varigotti. Reserve your sun beds on the deck or on the sand, enjoy swimming out to the floating docks, and enjoy full service from an attentive staff, delivering quality food and beverages to your spot. Enjoy the spectacular cove setting with views of yachts passing by in the Ligurian sea. Reserve ahead. This is not a walk-up kind of place, especially in July and August.
Bagni Nik, Varigotti
Varigotti is Liguria too, closer to home along the coast, and it's the beach day we'll do on a whim rather than plan around. The town itself is worth the trip: pastel houses stacked along a small curved bay, more low-key than the bigger Riviera names nearby. Beach Club Nik fits that register. Relaxed, unfussy, the kind of place where you order a plate of pasta and don't leave your chair for three hours. It's the one we recommend first if someone's staying with us and only has one beach day to spare. Marco and his family have run this club for years, and for us they prepared grilled octopus seaside along with a lovely Varigotti crisp white wine. A couple of notes: Bring beach towels as they are not supplied.. but Marco got on his scooter and showed up with two for us. Also the surface is small smooth pebbles, so bring some water shoes if you have them.
Bagno Angelo, Forte dei Marmi
Different coast entirely, and a different vibe. Forte dei Marmi is in Tuscany further south and the drive runs closer to two and a half to three hours, so better as a planned trip rather than a spontaneous outing. The town feels like Rodeo Drive with all the signature designer shops, and the beach clubs are plentiful. Angelo is the one we chose, a place that's been doing this a long time and doesn't need to prove anything: understated, well-run, the kind of spot where the same families have had the same umbrella for decades. Great seafood, excellent service and comfortable amenities. To truly enjoy this exceptional coastal strip of Tuscany, make it a wonderful weekend getaway to see Pietrasanta, the walled city of Lucca, and even Pisa.
So which one?
If you want spectacle, Carillon. If you want a proper long lunch with people who've been going there forever and don't mind the longer drive, Angelo. If you want the closest thing to a spontaneous beach day, Varigotti and Nik. We genuinely loved all three for different reasons, and that's the case for treating "the beach" near Villa Mucci as three separate questions rather than one.
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