San Rossore Nature Park

Nestled beside Versilia and the world’s most famous tower—that of Pisa—a mosaic of miraculously intact natural environments is protected by the park. Rich in low dunes and pioneer plants, the beach is among the most solitary on the Tuscan coast. Behind it rise verdant pine forests, planted from the 18th century onwards, fragrant stretches of Mediterranean scrubland and patches of mixed woodland, where a rare climbing plant, the periploca, winds its way up into the tree canopies, and fallow deer and wild boar roam. Among the wetland areas, Lake Massaciuccoli is home to important bird populations and precious peatlands stretching between the reed beds.

Covering 4,800 hectares, the Estate forms the heart of the Regional Park not only for its geographical position but also for the richness of its habitats and distinctive landscape features. It is bounded to the north by the Serchio river, to the east by the Cuccia ditch, to the south by the Arno and to the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The coastal strip of San Rossore, particularly the central-northern zone, is characterised by pronounced natural features, hosting the plant species typical of Italian coasts such as sea convolvulus, echinophora, sea pancratium, and so on.
Among these, marram grass holds particular importance, a grass essential for the formation of high coastal dunes.
In this environment you may encounter curlews, godwits, azure-winged magpies and certain species of duck, gull and gannet.
It is quite common to observe fallow deer and wild boar in nearby areas—the two ungulate species typical of the Estate’s animal population.

Lake Massaciuccoli

At Torre del Lago, just metres from the villa of the great composer Giacomo Puccini, an eco-friendly navigation service offers trips on Lake Massaciuccoli and the surrounding marshes. The lake forms part of the Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Nature Reserve, an area protected by the WWF and LIPU. The lake is home to numerous bird species, some resident and others migratory that visit the lake and surrounding marsh to breed: Great White Egrets, Grey Herons, Black-winged Stilts and so on are just some of the species you can admire during your excursion.

The basin also boasts rich and colourful flora; you can find various types of plants including eucalyptus, white poplars, alders, tamarisks, water lilies and more. If requested in advance, it is possible to stop in the ancient village of Massaciuccoli situated on the eastern shore of the lake; here you will have the opportunity to go birdwatching along the lake’s banks and admire the remains of the ancient Roman baths, which are remarkably well preserved.

The navigation service operates with three modern motor boats, equipped with every comfort, which can accommodate a total of 200 passengers, seated comfortably both indoors and outdoors. For fishing and photography enthusiasts there is the possibility of renting safe rowing boats and pedalos.

Just metres from the departure point you can visit Giacomo Puccini’s villa, and during the summer you can attend performances of the maestro’s operas at the nearby open-air theatre.

ECOTOUR offers you the opportunity to visit this unique environment in the world, aboard the motor boat “Burlamacca”, admiring the marshes, the canal system and Lake Massaciuccoli, observing the flora and fauna, and enjoying the sight of an incomparable habitat in the heart of Versilia and close to historic Tuscan cities.

LIPU Massaciuccoli Birdwatching Reserve

From the Reserve’s visitor centre, the Nature Trail leads to two observation hides. The area is equipped with boardwalk pathways and the walk is pleasant and interesting, but if you want to fully appreciate the beauty of the Lake, the Reserve offers various excursion options on the water—boat trips for groups, small boats or canoes for individual visitors. The LIPU Massaciuccoli Reserve features a visitor centre with a small natural history museum and diorama showcasing the lake’s environment and fauna, a projection room, didactic laboratory, nature trail, and two observation hides. It is possible to stay overnight at the visitor centre’s hostel, which has 17 beds. Opposite the centre, a small car park can accommodate about twenty cars.

The Chiarone Reserve is open to the public year-round, every day (9am–7pm). Guided visits for groups or school parties must be booked at the visitor centre.
The visitor centre is accessible for those with mobility difficulties.

Recommended hotels in the area San Rossore Nature Park