Situated at an altitude of 277 metres, Castelnuovo Garfagnana is the principal town and the heart of the green Garfagnana area of Italy, a territory that constitutes the northern part of the valley of the Serchio River, which runs between the mountain walls of the Apuan Alps and the Appenines. The town is 40 km from both Lucca and the Versilia coast.

The ancient outlying villages of Palleroso, Monterotondo, Antisciana, Gragnanella, Cerretoli, Colle and Rontano are beautifully situated and accessible on country paths through "green woodland". A walk to these villages allows visitors to be in contact with nature and at the same time to discover the traditional daily rhythms of an agricultural people and to admire their rural architecture. The town's patron is St Peter, with his feast day on 29 june. Be sure to visit that area on that day of June 29th.

The main festivities include the Carnival, with its procession of floats and masked celebrants, Commerce Week in August, and the traditional September Fair featuring folklore, sport, music, gastronomy and artisan activities, But all the way from June to October there is continuos cultural activity, with the outlying villages featuring traditional popular events. From Castelnuovo the most important torist sites of the Serchio Valley can be quickly reached. There is trekking on foot or on horseback, mountains-bike itineraries, modern and efficient sports facilities for any sort of activity from swimming to tennis, football and athletics. Most of these events do not cost much so they are all affordable. There are many things to do in Castelnuovo Garfagnana.