The Versilia is the area right along the Tuscan coast in the northwestern edge of the province of Lucca. It is widely known and popular for the fashionable resorts along its Riviera, with numerous night clubs attracting visitors for its active night life during the summer.
The coastal shelf along this part of the Tuscan coast is really sandy and gradually slops into the sea, making it perfect for families with small kids during the day. The many shops and restaurants (as well as hotels) along the seafront also make the Versilia a great place to spend the summer, with everything you need within easy reach.
The main cities in the Versilia are Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Camaiore, Massarosa, Seravezza and Stazzema although the area spreads north along the coast and runs into Massa and Carrara. Seravezza and Stazzema are not along the coast but on the hills that slope up to the Apuan Alps, which sit right behind the coast and separate Versilia from Garfagnana and are called the "Upper Versilia".
It is easy to get to the Versilia and its beaches, as both the rail line and A12 highway run parallel to the coast. With public transportation you would take the train from Florence passing through Lucca to get to any of the coastal towns of the Versilia or take buses from Lucca; the beaches are then a short walk away.
The climate here is quite mild, although humidity can get high in the summer. Why it is called Versilia? It is called after the name of the river that runs down from Seravezza down to Forte dei Marmi!
