When it comes to Tuscany, the ever-popular region in the centre of Italy, there’s no shortage of spectacular towns and cities to discover. Although the stand-out cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa are worth visiting, if you ask me the town most deserving of your holiday time is a little more off the beaten path. It’s the lovely, leafy Lucca that I’d elect as my favourite.
A delightfully compact city, Lucca is effortlessly beautiful with tree-lined avenues, incredible architecture and fascinating history. It has all the hallmarks of an idyllic Italian getaway, with plenty of unique elements that make nowhere else like it. On my second trip to Tuscany last year, I was lucky enough to spend a day there.
Take a look at my six reasons why Lucca is one of the best places to visit in Tuscany.
The ancient city walls
One of the most intriguing things about Lucca is the impressive city walls. Originally built by the Romans, the current walls date back to the Renaissance period built between the 16th and 17th centuries to protect the city. One of the main things to do in Lucca is walk or bike along the top of its walls. Stretching 4 km, they form a wide, tree-lined promenade encircling the entire town, with views over the medieval city on one side and the spectacular Apuan Alps on the other.
It’s possible to rent a bike in several places around Lucca which I’d highly recommend. The price of bikes varies from €3 per hour to €15 per day. Till this day, the walls form an intrinsic part of city life, a popular spot with walkers, runners and cyclists. As one of the most well-preserved historic walls in all of Italy, if you’re a fan of walled cities, Lucca is hard to beat.
It’s perfect for exploring on foot
My favourite way to tour a new city is on foot. Lucca’s pedestrian-friendly streets and walkable historic centre felt manageable in size, affording us time to explore at a leisurely pace. With beautiful cobbled alleys, pretty piazzas and pedestrianised shopping streets lined with quaint cafes, you can wander to your heart’s content!
The gorgeous city views from above
Formerly crammed with 250 ancient skyscrapers, today Lucca has nine surviving defence towers. Some of them are now open to the public providing gorgeous, sweeping views of the city. My favourite was the surreal looking Torre Guinigi, which even has a rooftop garden and oak trees sprouting from the top! Built in the 1300s by the Guingis, one of the richest families in Lucca who controlled the town for centuries, they planted a small garden at the tower’s summit to signify birth and renewal.
The tallest tower in Lucca is the Torre delle Ore, otherwise known as the Clock Tower. Located in the heart of Lucca, the great thing about climbing the 207 wooden steps to the top is you can enjoy Lucca’s beautiful cityscape with the Torre Guinigi within view. The towers are a stunning place to watch the sunset with views over a sea terracotta rooftops and the surrounding countryside.
The narrow streets
With lovely little winding streets, Lucca is a place we couldn’t wait to get lost in. The whole city oozes history, and nowhere is this truer than in the narrow back alleys that retain their medieval style and feel like a step back in time.
The incredible architecture
Lucca is an extremely beautiful city. Wildly photogenic, it’s filled with colourful buildings painted in the most wonderfully warm hues. The city bears the nickname “the city of 100 churches” thanks to the abundance of centuries old churches throughout. For a small city, it contains an impressive number of elaborate marble churches. The striking, intricate facades of the Chiesa di San Michele in Foro and St Martin Cathedral are not to be missed.
Lucca’s Piazza Amfiteatro, where the city’s amphitheatre once stood, is another highlight. This beautiful town square is actually circular in shape. A bustling plaza in the centre of the old town, it’s probably the best place in Lucca to sit down, soak in the atmosphere and gorge on gorgeous Tuscan food and wine.
It’s a lesser-known part of Tuscany…for now
The fact that the masses haven’t yet descended on Lucca makes it all the more wonderful. Despite its evident charms, its often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours like Florence, Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano. Somehow, it’s still lurking under the tourist radar. Visiting in the summer there were some tourists around, but very few compared to say Florence or Siena. Lucca also felt a lot more lived-in than some places I’ve been. The old town doesn’t feel contrived or just for show. I can only hope it stays this way for many years to come!
Useful tips for a trip to Lucca
- I always recommend leaving the country with Travel Insurance and trust World Nomads for their comprehensive cover at affordable rates
- Although Lucca is perfect for a day trip from Florence or Pisa, you could easily spend at least 2 days there
- Renting a bike is a great way to explore the city and walls
- The nearest airport is Pisa International Airport, check Skyscanner to find the best flight deals
- Although Lucca can be reached via bus or train, a rental car is useful for getting to Lucca and elsewhere in Tuscany
Getting to Lucca from Florence or Pisa
Lucca is only around 80 kilometres from Florence or 22 km from Pisa.
By car
If travelling by car, it takes about an hour from Florence or 30 minutes from Pisa to get to Lucca. Most roads inside the city are pedestrianised, so I’d recommend parking outside the city walls. This website lists free and paid parking spots.
By train
Trains from Florence and Pisa run quite regularly and cost about €15 return from Florence or €8 return from Pisa. Lucca’s train station is located just outside the city walls, around a 5-minute walk from the historic centre. For train times see this website.
By day tour
We visited Lucca independently, but there are plenty of Lucca tours available. If you’re looking to book a day trip or tour, see here.
Disclaimer: Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase using the above buttons, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps towards the upkeep of this website for which I am very grateful.
