Pisa Gateway
The mainland side of the Italy zone starts at Pisa, even though the zone map does not show it: there is no direct US service, so most travellers connect through Rome or another hub. This is the logistics page for the connection, with notes for Genoa, Florence and Palermo: where to sleep, where to eat, who drives, how the flights, trains and roads reach the zone, and where to find a surf shop.
Getting There
For the Italy Mainland and Sicily zone, Pisa (PSA) is the real local airport for Forte dei Marmi, about 43 km and 30 to 45 minutes' drive, and a bigger-gateway alternative for Levanto, about 83 km; Genoa (GOA) is closest to Levanto at about 68 km. Neither has direct US service, so connect through Rome or another major European hub (reported on the zone page). Palermo (PMO) is one of the shortest airport-to-surf-town hops on the site, 10 to 15 minutes from Isola delle Femmine, with limited direct US service: United flies Newark to Palermo about three times a week and Neos runs a seasonal nonstop to New York JFK (reported).
Italy is in the Schengen Area: US citizens get 90 days within 180 without a visa (reported). Rules move, so check the official source. Details are in the Italy Getting There section.
Getting Out of the Airport
- Taxi: taxis and transfers serve Pisa and Palermo airports; ask for a van or estate car.
- Rental car: the practical way to the Tuscan and Ligurian coast; ask about board space.
- Train: Pisa Centrale is the main station (reported); confirm the board-bag rule before you rely on it.
Other Gateways for the Zone
- Genoa (GOA): closest to Levanto, about 68 km or 42 miles; no direct US service (reported on the zone page).
- Florence (FLR): about 111 km and 1 hour 15 to 21 minutes from Forte dei Marmi, a secondary choice for anyone combining a Florence stay (reported on the zone page).
- Palermo (PMO): under 15 km from Isola delle Femmine; United flies Newark nonstop about three times a week (about 9 hours) and Neos runs a seasonal nonstop to New York JFK; otherwise connect through Rome or Milan (reported on the zone page).
For the full route notes, see the Italy Getting There section.
Stays
Near Pisa Airport
- The Court of StelioPisa Bed and breakfast with a high rating from over 360 reviews. About 2 km from Pisa Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 370 reviews. Google Maps listing
- The Green Gate Airport Guest HousePisa Bed and breakfast with a top rating. About 2 km from Pisa Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 5 from 32 reviews. Google Maps listing
- My WayPisa Bed and breakfast with a high rating from over 350 reviews. About 2 km from Pisa Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 350 reviews. Google Maps listing
Chain airport hotels are left out.
Pisa
- La Casa di EliPisa Hostel with a high rating. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from 50 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Hostel Pisa TowerPisa Hostel with over 450 reviews. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.3 from about 460 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Night & DayPisa Lodging with a high rating. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from about 120 reviews. Google Maps listing
Forte dei Marmi
- Hotel PrincipeForte dei Marmi Hotel with a high rating from over 500 reviews. About 2 km from Forte dei Marmi in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.6 from about 540 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Hotel StoryvilleForte dei Marmi Hotel with a high rating. About 3 km from Forte dei Marmi in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from about 250 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Hotel Eden VersiliaForte dei Marmi area Hotel with a high rating from about 350 reviews. About 2 km from Forte dei Marmi in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 350 reviews. Google Maps listing
Forte dei Marmi stays are also covered on the zone page.
Levanto
- Affittacamere MariellaLevanto Room rental with a high rating from over 120 reviews. About 1 km from Levanto in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 130 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Affittacamere AgataLevanto Room rental with a high rating. About 1 km from Levanto in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from 52 reviews. Google Maps listing
Near Palermo Airport
- Vista Mare RoomsIsola delle Femmine area Bed and breakfast with a top rating. About 1 km from Isola delle Femmine in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 5 from 64 reviews. Google Maps listing
- La Casa delle FateIsola delle Femmine area Bed and breakfast with a top rating. About 1 km from Isola delle Femmine in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 5 from 32 reviews. Google Maps listing
- House OrlandoPalermo area Bed and breakfast with a high rating. About 3 km from Isola delle Femmine in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.3 from about 180 reviews. Google Maps listing
Palermo Airport is 10 to 15 minutes from Isola delle Femmine (reported on the zone page).
Where to Eat
Pisa
- Trattoria da StelioPisa Trattoria with a high rating from over 1,600 reviews. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from about 1,600 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Il Ristoro della Pe'Pisa Italian restaurant with a high rating from over 2,200 reviews. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 2,200 reviews. Google Maps listing
- La Cantina di TipìPisa Italian restaurant with a high rating. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 550 reviews. Google Maps listing
Pastry & Cafes
- Pasticceria La PetitePisa Pastry shop with over 2,100 reviews. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from about 2,100 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Macchi Caffetteria e PasticceriaPisa Cafe and pastry shop with a high rating. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from about 200 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Vecchio Pasticceria SicilianaPisa Sicilian pastry shop with a high rating. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 650 reviews. Google Maps listing
Forte dei Marmi
- Osteria del MareForte dei Marmi Seafood restaurant with nearly 2,000 reviews. About 1 km from Forte dei Marmi in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.4 from about 2,000 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Pesce BaraccaForte dei Marmi Seafood restaurant with over 6,000 reviews. About 1 km from Forte dei Marmi in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.3 from about 6,200 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Ristorante SciabolaForte dei Marmi Restaurant with a top rating. About 1 km from Forte dei Marmi in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from about 100 reviews. Google Maps listing
Transport Companies
Taxis & Transfers
- Centralino Taxi e Airport Transfer TheseusPisa Taxi and airport transfer service. About 4 km from Pisa Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.3 from about 130 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Taxi Aeroporto Palermo (Alex Travel)Palermo Airport taxi with a high rating from over 600 reviews. About 23 km from Palermo Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from about 620 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Palermo City TaxiPalermo Airport transfers and tours with a top rating. About 13 km from Palermo Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 5 from about 380 reviews. Google Maps listing
Ask for a van or estate car for a board bag.
Car Rental & Campervans
- SRC Car RentalPisa Italian car rental with a high rating from nearly 1,500 reviews. About 2 km from Pisa Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from about 1,400 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Rossi RentPisa Car rental with a high rating. About 2 km from Pisa Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from 39 reviews. Google Maps listing
- CamperbusinessPisa area Campervan rental with a high rating; confirm availability. About 4 km from Pisa Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.6 from 35 reviews. Google Maps listing
International rental brands are left out. Ask about roof racks and board space before you book.
Board & Luggage Storage
We found no storage listing that confirms it takes a full board bag. Ask your hotel first. Chain luggage-storage networks in the city are left out.
Luggage Storage
- Baggy Lockers PisaPisa Lockers with a high rating from nearly 400 reviews; check the size against a board bag. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from about 370 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Deposito Bagagli Pisa CentralePisa Left luggage at the main station; ask whether it takes a board bag. About 1 km from central Pisa in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from 32 reviews. Google Maps listing
Locker sizes rarely fit a full board bag; ask your hotel first. The luggage-storage networks are left out.
Surf Shops
- Wave ShopForte dei Marmi area Surf shop with a high rating. About 3 km from Forte dei Marmi in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from 69 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Teddy Palomino Surf Skate Snowboard ShopForte dei Marmi area Surf shop with a high rating. About 18 km from Forte dei Marmi in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from 96 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Brothers Surf Shop & Surf SchoolLevanto Surf shop and school with a high rating. About 1 km from Levanto in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from 94 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Wild Surf and Skate ShopPalermo Surf and skate shop with a high rating. About 23 km from Palermo Airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from 37 reviews. Google Maps listing
Getting Out to the Zones
Italy Mainland and Sicily: see Getting There. Forte dei Marmi is about 43 km from Pisa Airport.
Questions People Actually Ask.
Which airport do I fly into for the Italy mainland hubs?
Pisa (PSA) for Forte dei Marmi; Genoa is closest to Levanto and Pisa is the bigger alternative. Neither has direct US service (reported on the zone page).
How far is Forte dei Marmi from Pisa Airport?
About 43 km and 30 to 45 minutes' drive (reported on the zone page).
Is there a direct US flight to Palermo?
Yes, limited: United flies Newark to Palermo about three times a week and Neos runs a seasonal nonstop to New York JFK (reported on the zone page).
How far is Isola delle Femmine from Palermo Airport?
About 10 to 15 minutes, under 15 km (reported on the zone page).
Do I need a visa?
US citizens get 90 days within 180 in the Schengen Area without a visa (reported); check the official source.
Disclosure & How This Page Works.
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Every listing was researched in 2026 and has not yet been verified in person. Prices, hours, and policies change; treat them as strong starting points and confirm directly with the business. And per the No-Reveal Code: you will find no surf spots on this page, ever.