Massa's historic centre is compact and walkable. The lower town around Piazza Aranci and the cathedral is flat, while the Malaspina Castle sits on a hill above — a steep but short climb on foot. Local buses run between the centre and Marina di Massa on the coast (about 5 km), making it easy to combine a morning in the city with an afternoon on the beach.
A car is useful for the surrounding area: the Apuan Alps and the marble quarry towns of Carrara and Colonnata are best reached by driving up into the mountains, where public transport is sparse. Local car hire is available near the station.