Cinquale – Coast, Nature and History

Cinquale combines clear sea, equipped beaches, a thermal bath, distinctive nature and traces of history. The shoreline is less than one kilometre long. This means that the coast remains clearly recognisable as a defining part of the town, while also offering excursions into the landscape and along historic routes.

Sea and Orientation on Site

Cinquale has equipped beaches, and the sea off Cinquale is clear. Green Beach offers accessible entrances for people with mobility impairments. It also has reserved parking spaces, two Joob chairs for assistance and a pier extending to the sea. These specific facilities make Green Beach a clearly described point of access on the coast, without implying that other beaches have the same features. The tourist harbour of Cinquale lies on the right bank of the Versilia River. On the waterfront stands the monument “Walk” by the artist Federico Benedetti, at the border with Forte dei Marmi. The Tyrrhenian cycling and pedestrian path in Cinquale is connected to the path in Forte dei Marmi.

Lago di Porta, Wetland and Landscape

Lago di Porta in Capanne-Prato-Cinquale is the northernmost coastal wetland in Tuscany. The area is home to the very rare and endangered butterfly Lycaena dispar. The rare European bittern, Botaurus stellaris, can also be observed there. Lago di Porta is therefore characterised not only as a landscape area, but also by two explicitly named rare animal species. At Lago di Porta Beltrame in Cinquale, a fortified tower stands at the mouth of the river. The Medici built it in the 16th century to defend against raids by Saracen pirates. During walks along the Gothic Line near Cinquale, places and events can be retraced through monuments, fortifications from the period and historical references. From Cinquale, routes to Monte Carchio in the Apuan Alps Regional Park can also be reached in a short time.

Cycling between Versilia and the Coast

“Biking the Via Francigena [family ride]” is a 39 km circular route that passes through Cinquale. The route follows both EuroVelo 5 and the Via Francigena. Another route, “Il Mare Apuano [family ride]”, follows EuroVelo 5 along the Apuan waterfront from Cinquale to Marina di Carrara and back. The “Lago di Porta – un’oasi di Natura [family ride]” route starts and ends in Cinquale. It runs along the banks of the Versilia River and Lago di Porta.

Thermal Bath and Further Places to Visit

The Terme della Versilia in Cinquale is a wellness centre and thermal bath. It originated from the discovery of salt-bromide-iodine-rich water and a peat deposit, and has a thermal pool. For comparison with further places, you can also view Corsanico and Vietina.

For the higher-level travel overview: Montignoso.