Lucca - the secret pearl of Tuscany

Lucca is the city behind the green wall: The old town, with around 89.000 inhabitants in the Serchio Valley, is completely surrounded by a 4,2-kilometer-long Renaissance wall, perfect for walking and cycling. Located only about 20 km northeast of Pisa , Lucca is less crowded than Florence – ideal for exploring towers, churches, and alleyways at your leisure.

Sightseeing in Lucca

The best way to explore Lucca is on foot or by rental bike. One day is enough for the main sights; those who also want to visit museums and towers should plan for two days.

The city wall

Lucca is one of the few cities in Europe whose city walls are completely preserved. Built between 1504 and 1645, the wall is 4,2 kilometers long and has eleven bastions. Instead of cannons, trees now stand atop it: the tree-lined promenade encircles the old town like a green belt. A walk around the walls takes about an hour, while cycling takes considerably less – bike rentals are available at several gates.

San Martino Cathedral

The Cathedral of San Martino impresses with its Romanesque marble facade featuring arcades and its imposing campanile. Inside are the Volto Santo, a highly venerated wooden crucifix, and the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia – one of the most famous funerary monuments of the early Renaissance.

San Michele in the Forum

The Church of San Michele stands on the site of the Roman forum, which remains the city's central square to this day. Its tall, richly decorated facade is crowned by a statue of the Archangel Michael.

Amphitheater Square

From the main shopping street, Via Fillungo, you pass through an archway onto the oval Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. The colorful houses were built on the walls of the Roman amphitheater and still trace its shape today. Cafés and restaurants invite you to take a break.

Torre Guinigi and Torre delle Ore

The Guinigi Tower is the city's landmark: holm oaks grow on its summit. From the top – as from the Torre delle Ore clock tower – you have a fantastic view over the rooftops to the Apuan Alps. There is an entrance fee for both towers; you can find out the current times at the tourist information office.

alleys, palazzi and Puccini

In the narrow streets of the old town, you'll still find many owner-operated shops, delicatessens, and restaurants. The garden of the Palazzo Pfanner is also worth seeing; you can even see it from the city walls. The composer Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca in 1858; his birthplace is now a museum, and a statue in Piazza Cittadella commemorates him. Later, he lived in a villa in Torre del Lago on Lake Massaciuccoli.

Practical tips for Lucca

Markets

• Market: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 13 p.m. in Via dei Bacchettoni, just outside the wall
• Mercato Antiquario: Antiques and flea market on the third Sunday of every month and on the Saturday before in the old town around the cathedral
• Other markets by day of the week: Weekly markets in Tuscany

Opening hours of the shops

Smaller shops are usually open from around 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15:30 p.m. to 19:30 p.m.; some remain closed on Monday mornings. In the old town, especially on Via Fillungo, many shops are also open on Sundays, often with shorter hours. Supermarkets are usually open all day. You can find more information in our guide to shopping in Tuscany.

Arrival and parking

Lucca is located on the A11 Florence–Pisa Nord/Viareggio motorway. The old town within the walls is a traffic-calmed zone (ZTL); please park in the car parks outside the walls. The train station is directly south of the walls, just a short walk from the center; regional trains run to Pisa, Viareggio, Florence, and other destinations.

Events

At the end of October/beginning of November, the city transforms into a huge festival site for Lucca Comics & Games, one of the world's largest comic and game conventions – accommodations are booked up well in advance. In the summer, concerts of the Lucca Summer Festival take place in Piazza Napoleone.

Excursions in the area

Lucca is a good base: Pisa is about 30 minutes away, the seaside town of Viareggio is about 30–40 minutes away, and Florence is just over an hour away. A stop in Montecatini Terme is worthwhile on the way to Florence . To the north, the Garfagnana mountains begin, dotted with old villages and forests. Learn more about the region in the province of Lucca.

Tours & Excursions

• Tours and activities in Lucca – including bike rental, e-bike tours and walks on the city wall.
• Self-guided bicycle tour between Pisa and Lucca – by bike along the Serchio river from city to city.

Find accommodation

Find hotels, B&Bs and holiday apartments in and around Lucca at Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions about Lucca