Carrara Marble Quarries Shore Excursion from La Spezia
Carrara Marble Quarries Shore Excursion from La Spezia
Private 4×4 Tour with Local Guide
Enjoy a private shore excursion from La Spezia or Portovenere to the world-famous Carrara Marble Quarries.
This experience is designed for individuals, couples, families and small private groups looking for an authentic and flexible visit, traveling comfortably with a private driver and licensed local guide.
The Carrara Marble Valleys
Meet your driver at the cruise terminal and head toward the Carrara marble valleys, the largest marble extraction area in the world, active since Roman times.
Here you’ll explore panoramic viewpoints and active quarries by 4×4 vehicle, learning about:
ancient and modern quarrying techniques
marble geology
daily life of quarry workers
These are the same quarries once chosen by Michelangelo for his masterpieces. On working days, you may also see quarrymen at work.
Marble Sculpture Workshop
After the quarry visit, continue to a local marble workshop to see an artisan at work.
Learn how a marble statue is shaped, from raw block to finished sculpture, and discover the skills passed down through generations of Carrara craftsmen.
Colonnata & Local Flavors
Around lunchtime, stop in Colonnata, the oldest quarrymen’s village, famous for its culinary traditions.
Here you may:
enjoy a light snack or tasting
browse small local shops
As an alternative, lunch can be arranged at a winery in the countryside or in a seaside town such as Lerici.
Return to the Cruise Port
In the afternoon, relax during the scenic drive back to the cruise terminal in La Spezia, with timing carefully coordinated to your ship’s schedule.
Practical Information
Activity level: moderate (short, mostly flat walks)
Recommended: closed shoes or sneakers; hat and sunglasses in summer
Availability: year-round
Tour type: private and fully flexible
Optional Add-Ons
DOC wine tasting (Colli di Luni or Candia dei Colli Apuani)
Private sculpting experience with a master artisan
Guided walk in Carrara Old Town
Architecture & design–focused visits (sawmills, labs, interiors)
Discover the world’s most famous marble
Request your Carrara marble shore excursion
