Art is a stone's throw from the Tuscan coast

One the best qualities of the Tuscan region is its ability to combine natural beauty with a centuries-long culinary culture, artistic excellence and varied cultural offerings. This is what makes it the perfect place for a holiday. From Carrara to the Argentario, the region offers numerous 'places of culture' like museums, galleries, archeological sites, natural parks and multimedia centres that highlight the history, traditions and incredible jewels of the Tuscan coast.

Moreover, Tuscany is scattered with large and small museums where vacationers can dedicate a few hours during their stay. Places like Villa Napoleone on Elba island or the Archeological Park of Baratti-Populonia are perfect ways to get your fill of culture, history and art during a beach holiday.  Below is a selection of 'cultural places' to see and visit while holidaying in Tuscany. (Source: Mara Amorevoli article in La Repubblica)

Carrara
International Biennale of Sculpture : until Sept 19; Tues to Thurs, 11am-8pm; Fri to Sat, 11am- 10:30pm. Closed Mondays; 8 euro; tel. 0585-64147; www.labiennaledicarrara.it
Museum of the Dioceses: visits upon request; 9pm-11.30pm; 3 euro; tel. 0585-499241
Ethnological Museum: visits upon request; tel. 0585-251330.
Botanical Gardens of the Apuan Alps: tel. 0585-490397; visits upon request
Museum of the Cava Fantiscritti : open every day; 9.30am-7pm; tel. 0585-70981, free entrance
Civic Museum of Marble : Mon to Sat; 9.30am-1pm/3.30pm-6pm; 4.50 euro

Massarosa
Archeological Area of Roman Massaciuccoli: Tues to Sun; 9am-12.30pm/4.30pm-7pm; free entrance; tel. 0584-974550.

Viareggio
Gamc-Palazzo delle Muse : piazza Mazzini 22; Tues to Fri, 6pm -11pm; September, 9am-1pm/3.30pm-7.30pm; closed Mondays, tel. 0584-581118
Civic Museums of Villa Paolina: Archeologist Alberto Carlo Blanc,
Museum of Musical instruments Giovanni Ciuffreda and atelier Alfredo Catarsini: Tues to Sun; 4pm-7pm; 2.50 euro; tel. 0584-961076.
Museum of the Carnival: Thurs, Fri, Sat, 4pm-7pm; tel. 0584-53048; free entrance
Marine Museum: Thurs, Fri, Sat, 4pm-7pm; tel. 0584-46012; free entrance
House-Museum Giacomo Puccini Torre del Lago: viale Puccini 266; 10am-12.40pm/3pm-6:20pm; Closed Mn morning; tel. 0584-341445

Camaiore
Museum of Sacred Art: tues, Thurs, Sat, 4pm-7:30pm; Sunday 10am-12pm; donations welcome; tel. 0584984182

Forte dei Marmi
Museum of Satire: 5pm-8pm/9pm-12am; closed Mon; tel. 0584-876277; free entrance

Pietrasanta
House-Museum of Carducci: Tues to Sun, 5pm-8pm; free entrance; tel. 0584795500
Museum of Sketches: Tues to Sun, 6:30pm-8pm/9pm-12am; closed Mon; tel. 0584795500; free entrance

Rosignano M.
Civic Archeological Museum: every day, 9am-1pm/5pm-9pm; tel. 0586-724288; 3 euro.

Cecina
Civic Archeological Museum La Cinquantina: Tues to Sun,  6pm-10pm; from Sept 1, Sat and Sun, 3:30pm-7pm; tel. 0586680145
Archeological Park of Villa Romana of S. Vincenzino: until Aug 31, Tues to Sun, 6pm-10pm/ from Sept 1, Sat and Sun, 2pm-5pm; 3 euro; tel. 0586680145.

Campiglia M.
Rocca di Campiglia : every day, 5-11pm; in Sept: Tues to Sun, 10am-1pm/3pm-7pm; 4 euro
Archeogical-mineral Park of S. Silvestro : every day, 9.30am-7.30pm; in Sept: Tues to Sun, 10am-7pm.

Piombino
Archeological Museum of the area of Populonia: Tues to Sun, 10am-1pm/4pm-8pm; Fri: 4pm-11pm; Sept: Tues to Sun,10am-1pm/3pm-7pm; 6 euro
Museum of the Castle and City of Piombino:  Tues to Sun,10am-1pm/4pm-8pm; Sept:  10am-1pm/3pm-7pm
etruscan Museum Gasparri : via di Sotto 8

Archeological Park of Baratti:
open 9.30am-7.30pm with special openings Sat nights; In Sept: Tues to Sun, 10am-7pm

Marciana
Archeological Museum: every day, 10am-12.30pm/3.30pm-7pm; 2 euro; tel. 0565901215

Portoferraio
Archeological Museum Loc. Linguella: every day, 9am-2.25pm/6pm-12pm; tel. 0565944024
Museum Villa dei Mulini: every day, 9am-7pm; holidays, 9am-1pm; Mon closed
Villa San Martino , loc. San Martino: tues closed; tel. 0565914688
Museum of the Misericordia Salita Napoleone: 10am-1pm; closed on Sun and holidays; tel. 0565914009
Pinacoteca Foresiana Gallery: Tues and Thurs, 9am-12pm
Ottone Gardens: 9am-1pm/3pm-7pm; 1.50 euro

Castagneto C.
House-Museum Carducci : via Carducci 59
Centre of Religious Costume, Madonna del Carmine Church, via Bolgherese
Museum and Archive Carducci, via Carducci 1

Suvereto
Artistic Museum of Dolls: via Magenta 14
Museum of Sacred Art : piazza Vittorio Veneto 3

Castiglione P.
Civic Archeological Museum, piazza Vetluna 1
House-Museum Ximenes, ponte Giorgini
Archeological Area of Vetulonia, via case di Siena

Isola del Giglio
Minerology Museum, via Provinciale 9

Gavorrano
Mining Museum : loc. ex Bagnetti

Follonica
Museum of Iron and Cast-iron :  Ilva district
Pinacoteca Gallery : piazza del Popolo 1

Orbetello
Museum of Fish and the Lagoon : via Nizza 20
Pediment of Talamone : piazza della Repubblica
Archeological Museum : ex Polveriera Guzman

Albinia
Museum of Rural Culture : via D'Acquisto 2

Cosa-Ansedonia
Archeological Antiquarium of Cosa : via delle Mimose