Viareggio old lighthouse

The old lighthouse of Viareggio (Vecchio Faro di Viareggio) stands at the mouth of the Burlamacca canal, right where the town's historic harbour meets the sea. It is the older of Viareggio's two light towers — a newer one, on the outer breakwater, has since taken over its navigational role.

Where does this lighthouse come from?

The tower was built by the Italian Royal Navy in 1863 to light the nearby stretch of coast at night and guide vessels toward the harbour canal entrance. In the early 20th century it was reworked, gaining the appearance it still has today. Once a stronger, more modern lighthouse was raised on the outer breakwater, the older tower lost its role for ships approaching from the open sea — its usefulness was reduced to the inner stretch of the port canal, and eventually it stopped operating altogether.

What will you see there?

The lighthouse is a round, white masonry tower roughly 14 metres tall, with an internal walkway running around the shaft. At the top, a terrace supports the metal lantern structure. The tower rises from the corner of a square, two-storey building, also finished in white masonry — a layout typical of 19th-century Italian harbour lighthouses, where the tower and the keeper's house form a single architectural block.

Because it sits right at the Burlamacca canal mouth, a visit pairs naturally with a walk through the historic harbour area, where fishing boats and small sailboats still moor along the canal, close to the seafront promenade.

How do you get there?

The old lighthouse stands within the town of Viareggio, close to the canal mouth and right along the shoreline. The easiest approach is on foot or by bike from the seafront promenade (Passeggiata), heading toward the Burlamacca outlet — a walk of well under half an hour from the resort's central stretch. The area is well connected to the rest of Viareggio, a compact Tuscan seaside town that is easy to explore on foot.

When should you visit?

Since the lighthouse today is a landmark rather than a working navigation aid, it can be visited at any time of year. Spring and early autumn offer a good balance of mild weather and fewer crowds, and the early evening light works well for photos, with the white tower standing out against the sunset sky. In summer the surrounding promenade and beaches get busier, so expect more foot traffic nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the old Viareggio lighthouse still in use? No — its function was taken over by the newer lighthouse on the outer breakwater. The old tower remains as part of the historic harbour, but it no longer guides ships on the open sea.

How is it different from the new Viareggio lighthouse? The new lighthouse stands at the end of the outer breakwater and is the one that now marks the harbour entrance for incoming vessels. The old lighthouse sits closer to shore, right at the Burlamacca canal mouth, and has an older architectural style — a round tower set into a square base building.

Can visitors climb the tower? Available information doesn't confirm regular public access to the lighthouse terrace, so it's worth checking locally whether the site is open to visitors at the time of your trip.

How old is the lighthouse? The tower dates back to 1863, with its current look coming from an early 20th-century renovation — making it a structure well over 160 years old, tied closely to the history of Viareggio's harbour.