jeep tour carrara

Jeep Tour of Carrara Marble Quarries in Tuscany

See the Carrara Marble Quarries by Jeep

Carrara Marble Tour

The famous marble of Carrara has been quarried since Roman times and has long been a favorite of sculptors, including Michelangelo. Fantiscritti Marble Quarries, or cave (pronounced cah-vey ), has a 50 minute 4x4 jeep tour that gives visitors a chance to get an inside look at the quarries and also includes a fantastic view from high above them.

If you're in the Carrara area of northern Tuscany , don't miss this experience.

Inside the Marble Mines of Carrara

Carrara Marble Tour takes you on a fascinating ride through the quarries for a close look at the marble cliffs and mines. Near the top, you'll get out and enjoy a spectacular view of the quarries, the city of Carrara, and the coast. This is a much higher point than you are allowed to drive to on your own.

Your guide will explain the history and uses of marble, the different types of marble, and how the quarries operate. You'll see a working section of the mine, as well as the site where several Austin Martin's went over the cliff during the filming of the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace .

The interesting and scenic 50-minute tour is offered daily from March to November and is priced at 12 euros (as of 2019). A 3-4 hour option includes pick-up and drop-off from your nearby hotel, time to tour the town of Carrara, plus a special breakfast of local specialties, including lardo di Colonnata, which is seasoned pork fat. This tour is currently priced at 65 euros per person.

Carrara Marble Tour Details

• Cave di Fantiscritti Carrara Marble Tour . Check the website for updated hours and prices or to book a tour.
• The cost is 12 euros (as of 2019).
• Tours are 50 minutes and can be taken in Italian, English, or French.
• Note that during inclement weather, the mines are not in operation.
• At the parking area of the quarry are a museum, gift shop, restaurant, and restrooms. In summer, there are mini-bus tours inside the mines.
• From Carrara, follow signs for Cave and then Fantiscritti, going through a couple of marble tunnels.

If you have a car, it's possible to see some of the mining areas and visit the museum without taking a tour, although the tour is a highly recommended way to see the quarries close-up and is worth the price just for the amazing views.

Sightseeing Near the Carrara Marble Quarries

Very near the marble quarries is the picturesque mining town of Colonnata, famous for producing lardo . Colonnata is a good place to eat with several restaurant choices.

Carrara is in the part of northern Tuscany known as Versilia that includes the three main towns of Carrara, Massa, and Pietrasanta and a long stretch of coast where you'll find beaches and the seaside resort town of Viareggio , famous for its carnival parades.

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• Via Aiaccia 37/A 57014 Livorno, Toscana, Italy --> Via Aiaccia 37/A 57014 Livorno, Toscana, Italy

Carrara Marble Tour

Discover the carrara marble quarries aboard powerful 4x4 jeeps.

During the visit to the Carrara quarries you will admire enchanting views of the Apuan Alps . The Carrara marble tour is carried out in a 4 × 4 Jeep with the assistance of expert guides who will reveal the history of these places and the techniques used over the millennia for the extraction of marble and the continuous challenge between man and the mountain where Michelangelo found the raw material for his works among the most important in the world.

CARRARA QUARRIES TOUR AT A FIRST GLANCE

• 8.00 am – meeting and pick-up at your accommodation in Pisa, Lucca or at the port of Livorno
• 9.30 am – arrival in Carrara
• 10.00 am – start of the tour aboard the 4X4 Jeeps
• 1.30 pm – tasting of the famous “Lardo di Colonnata”
• 2.30 pm – departure and return to your accommodation in Pisa, Lucca or the Port of Livorno

This itinerary is intended only as an orientation guide. All our tours are flexible and can be modified at will , in case you want to add or remove something from the program.

Do you need more informations before booking?

A visit to the Carrara Marble Quarries is much more than a simple tour

The visit to the marble quarries of Carrara is a journey to discover the material that has inspired artists of all times; it is the amazement of a unique place in the world; it is the encounter between the wonders of nature and the effort of men who have been extracting marble for over 2000 years, transforming the appearance of the Apuan Alps .

Located about 50 minutes by car from Pisa and Lucca, a few km from the border between Tuscany and Liguria, the Apuan Alps proudly show their whiteness and offer themselves as an exceptional viewpoint over the Gulf of La Spezia and the splendor of the 5 Terre .

Where to start to visit the Carrara quarries

The itinerary to visit the Carrara quarries obviously starts from the city of Carrara, easily reachable by any means of transport.

Michelangelo’s David and Pietà, the futuristic Arche de La Défense in Paris, the Library of Congress in Washington and the Opera House in Oslo are just some of the works created all over the world and in all times with Carrara marble , considered one of the finest materials in the world. Its dazzling whiteness, its aptitude to be worked and transformed, its perfection led first Julius Caesar and then Augustus and subsequent emperors to use it to embellish Rome. The Trajan’s Column, the Pantheon, the Arch of Constantine still tell us about the great history of Rome.

The unique charm of the Carrara Marble Quarries has also inspired Italian and international directors: some scenes of famous films were shot here such as the car chase of 007- Quantum of Solace , Michelangelo Infinito by Emanuele Imbucci, Al Lupo, al Lupo! by Carlo Verdone and Il Capo , a film by Yuri Ancarani dedicated to the life of the workers of the quarries.

Carrara marble cave tour in detail

Visit the Carrara Marble Quarries and let yourself be conquered by a place of absolute and inimitable beauty: we take care of the whole organization and you just have to have fun. In fact, we use 8-seater minibuses to pick up customers staying in hotels, B & Bs, agritourisms and holiday homes in Lucca and Pisa at the place of overnight stay.

And here is the program: we leave at 8:00 to reach Carrara at 9:30. Here, a tour guide awaits us with powerful 4×4 Jeeps , always 8 seats, capable of climbing up to the most famous marble basins , along the winding and suggestive roads that lead to the immense open-air quarries and those hidden in the bowels of the mountains. The Carrara Marble Tour by jeep then starts at 10:00!

The marble basins

Located at over 1000 m above sea level, the Miseglia Basin develops near the Bridges of Vara, an infrastructure built in the late 1800s for the transport of marble blocks by rail. These bridges today represent the road used by heavy vehicles.

In the same area we find the Torano Basin , where the Michelangelo quarry is located. The great artist, in fact, wanted to personally choose the marble to use and identified here the blocks that would give life to some of his works.

Going down around 500 m a.s.l. you can visit the Colonnata Basin , with its 500 hectares of quarries. During the visit to the Carrara quarries you will admire enchanting views while the guides will tell in Italian and English the history of these places and the techniques used over the millennia by the men who dedicated their lives to the extraction of marble. Imagine, for example, that in the 1960s blocks were transported by sliding special sleds on a series of wooden beams. The very difficult and tiring task of guiding the heavy blocks with cables and poles along slopes, cliffs and curves to the “loader hill” fell to the workers. The sleds were called “lizze” hence the name of “lizzatura” given to this method of transport.

At the end of the Marble Tour Carrara , lasting about 3 hours, a stop in Colonnata is scheduled for a taste of the famous lard : placed to mature in marble tubs, it will amaze you with its delicate, sweet and spicy taste.

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Carrara Marble Quarries Jeep Tour

• 9 / 10 2 reviews | 47 travellers
• Free cancellation up to 6 days before

Did you know that Michelangelo himself chose the raw material for his sculptures? Find out why the marble here was the sculptor's favourite to work with on our Carrara Marble Quarries Jeep Tour.

Having met up at your chosen time at the Carrara train station , we'll hop into our jeep and drive to the Carrara Marble Quarries . Let's explore the most famous marble quarry in the world!

Our jeep will allow us to make our way all the way up to the highest quarries, which tower at 3,280 feet (1,000) metres above sea level. When we reach this point, we'll explain how Carrara marble has been quarried since the period of the Roman Empire and the techniques used to extract it in the past and in the present day.

We'll also learn all about how  Michelangelo Buonarroti favoured Carrara marble for his breathtaking sculptures. During our tour, we'll visit the quarry where Michaelangelo himself chose the blocks of marble he wanted to use for sculptures such as the masterpiece  David .

After visiting the quarries, we'll head back to the city. On the way, we'll make a stop at a lardo factory . We'll try some Lardo di Colonatta , a famous type of Italian sausage that's well-known throughout the country.

It'll then be time to drop you off back at the train station in Carrara, where we'll arrive 3 hours after the start of the tour.

More Information

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English and Italian.

Transport by jeep

English speaking guide

Entry to the Carrara Marble Quarries

Lardo di Colonnata tasting

When to book?

You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• No printing of documentation required.

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Corporate name: Tour and Travel Services SA

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - Your safety is our priority. Civitatis works with certified providers for reliable and safe adventures. More information

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?

A - This activity requires a minimum of 2 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Cancellations

Meeting point.

Carrara train station

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• About this activity

Carrara: Exclusive Marble Cave Jeep Tour Adventure

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Enjoy a guided Jeep tour of the Carrara marble caves
• Learn all about marble traditions and manufacturing
• Explore underground quarries
• Admire unforgettable panoramas
• Enjoy a gourmet Lardo di Colonnata tasting

Activity location

• 8 Piazza Vittorio Veneto
• 54033, Carrara, Toscana, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 8
• 54033, carrara, Toscana, Italy
• Thu, May 9 -
• Fri, May 10 -
• Sat, May 11 -
• Sun, May 12 $81
• Mon, May 13 $81
• Tue, May 14 $81
• Wed, May 15 $81
• Thu, May 16 $81
• Fri, May 17 $81
• Sat, May 18 $81
• Sun, May 19 $81
• Mon, May 20 $81
• Tue, May 21 $81
• Wed, May 22 $81
• Thu, May 23 $81
• Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes 1h 30m 1h 30m

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included 1 licensed guide service
• What's included What's included 1 tour by 4x4 vehicles
• What's included What's included 1 Lardo of Colonnata IGP sample
• What's included What's included Insurance (by law)
• What's included What's included Round Trip Transportation

Know before you book

• At least 2 people are required for this activity take place

What you can expect

The marble quarries are enormous white wounds that open themselves along wild and abrupt slopes, where small men handle gigantic stone blocks. Discover a fascinating reality, a combination of fatigue and brilliance, ancient sweat and modern technology. The world of marble is not just the excavation or processing of stone, but the history of a territory and its population that have been synonyms of marble itself for ages. Get in touch directly with the people, places, instruments, machinery and daily gestures of ancient knowledge.

You will be driven inside a lot of different, active quarries, reaching an altitude of around 1000 meters above sea level, having many stops for technical explanations, taking pictures and seeing every single moment of the excavation. Enjoy an off-road route along the winding roads in the Colonnata Valley . Stopover inside another quarry and be provided with detailed explanations about the old and modern excavation systems. Transfer to an “open sky quarry” to take highly panoramic pictures and to receive more information about the quarry regulations. Then, you will be driven through the Miseglia Valley having an “underground quarry.” Return to the starting point with a stop for a taste of the famous Lardo of Colonnata IGP . Get ready for an adventurous experience in Carrara.

Carrara Marble Quarry Tour Guide

Map and guide to visiting the quarries above carrara.

• Maps of Italy >
• Tuscany >
• Carrara Marble Quarries Tour

Touring the marble mines in the Apuan Alps in northern Tuscany is an incredible visual experience--which is why the location was chosen for the chase scene in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace .

You can tour some of the marble mines above Carrara in a self-guided car tour, but to get as high into the Apuan Alps as we did in the picture, you'll need to take a jeep tour. The tour we took cost a reasonable €10, one of the best bargains in Italy. It gets you 1000 meters above the sea. Today that tour is €15. Still a bargain, but...

Map: Carrara Marble Tour & Lodging Locations

The map below is centered upon the Frantiscritti Mine Museum. Just a big south is the parking for the tour, and just to the north is the ticket booth and restaurant. You can see this in detail by zooming in on the map using the controls on the lower right. The map shows some lodging in the marble moutains if you wish to stay here. 

Views from the Tour

View from the Marble Quarries

Down Comes a Mountain

Carrara and the Marble Mountain Travel Tips

You will, of course, need a car to do this trip, unless you've arranged to use a guide or travel planner.

From the city of Carrara, follow the signs to the "cave" until you reach the Fantiscritti caves. There is a small museum there worth seeing. The restaurant, Ristorante il Poggio , has an annex where you can sign up for the tour if you've come in the off season without a reservation.

Where to Eat

If you haven't made a restaurant reservation before arriving at the Frantiscritti starting point, we suggest heading over to the nearby town of Colonnata , famous for its lardo , herbed backfat aged in marble vats that kept the marble miners in energy through the long winters. It's possible to tour the lardo workshops. There are quite a few restaurants in Colonnata. You don't have to eat lardo in any of them, but you should try it. It's much healthier then butter when a thin slice is laid over a piece of toasted bread. Our latest fave restaurant in Colonnata is Osteria Nella Pia .

Where to Stay

Consult the map above for places to stay in the mountains. But if you'd like to stay in a marble city, we've found that of the two marble towns, Massa is perhaps the most interesting, and you can retreat to Marina di Massa to be closer to the sea.

I prefer to stay where the marble is turned into art, in nearby Pietrasanta . See: An Art Itinerary in Tuscany .

Guide Services

We recommend Serena Giovannoni of Wish Versillia as a guide who can provide comfortable transportation and guide services from wherever you are in Versillia (this area of Tuscany), especially useful if you do not have a car or if you just want to leave the navigating to someone else. The roads in this area are narrow and confusing. Leave the driving to someone who knows the way.

Location and Contact information

Carrara marble tour (50 minute 4x4 jeep tour).

Cave di Fantiscritti , Italy

Latitude: 44.090777975 Longitude: 10.133441103

Near Carrara

Where to go from here? Once you've seen the raw materials you may wish to visit the workshops, many clustered around Pietrasanta , a very nice town to stay in. If a spa appeals to you more, Montecatini Terme may be just what you're looking for. Lucca is also nearby. It is about an hour and a half drive to Florence .

If you are a lake lover, bird watcher, or like to walk on planks over wetlands (and see a Roman Villa overlooking it all), a trip to Lake Massaciuccoli might be in order.

Or, you may wish to explore other options in Tuscany .

More Italy Travel Planning Resources

• Travel Planning Timeline : Learn what you need to plan when.
• What Will an Italy Vacation Cost? : Tools for budgeting your Italian vacation.
• Unplanned Attractions : Save time for the good life in Italy.

CARRARA MARBLE TOUR

Carrara marble tour

Benvenuti a

Siamo aperti tutti i giorni, festivi compresi, dal 1 marzo al 2 novembre dalle 10:00 alle 17:00. Importante: si accettano prenotazioni solo per gruppi di almeno 20 persone. Per gruppi più piccoli di 20 persone la prenotazione non è necessaria : presentarsi il giorno stesso presso la nostra reception per partecipare al primo tour disponibile Una volta arrivati al nostro meeting point presso piazzale Fantiscritti potrete prenotare il primo tour disponibile, siamo dotati di 6 jeep a 8 posti più autista ed ogni 20/30 minuti circa parte un tour (i tempi di attesa possono diminuire o aumentare in base all’affluenza). Durante l’eventuale attesa, potrete visitare il vicino museo e i negozi di artigianato in marmo e mangiare qualcosa nel bar ristorante . Nel piazzale è presente un ampio parcheggio con servizi che può ospitare anche pullman di grosse dimensioni ed un importante laboratorio artistico (non accessibile per motivi di sicurezza). Per esigenze particolari non esitate a contattarci a [email protected] oppure al +39 0585 779673 – mob. +39 333 6024026

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