Travel bucket list idea:

A day in Lucca

Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 23 June, 2023

Expert travel writer: Nicky Swallow

Lucca is a compact gem of a town, a perfect ensemble of Medieval and Renaissance buildings enclosed by a well-preserved set of 16th-century walls. Aside from its handsome piazzas and palazzi and exquisite churches, it boasts some lovely old shops, excellent restaurants and atmospheric cafés, all lining a network of pretty cobbled streets. Its overall attraction lies in the fact that it never feels overwhelmed by tourists, thus offering an authentic sense of local life.

A coffee in oval Piazza del Anfiteatro (built on the site of the Roman amphitheatre) is a good place to start a tour of the town. There are some wonderful old shops with their original storefronts in and around nearby Via Fillungo.

Historic, atmospheric Caffè di Simo (Via Fillungo 58) is another good place for a cappuccino and a pastry while the Buca di Sant’Antonio restaurant (open since 1782, Via della Cervia 3) serves up Lucchese specialities with a modern twist.

Recommendations

Gelateria De’ Coltelli

Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Seasonal fruit, local ingredients and organic milk, cream and eggs are the mainstays of this artisanal ice cream. Flavours vary with the seasons, but look out for the sinful De Bondt chocolate and candied orange peel and the pistachio ice creams, and the refreshing Sicilian-style granitas (almond, maybe) in summer.

Best for ages 4+

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Giacomo Puccini Museum

Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Opera buffs shouldn’t miss the small museum dedicated to Giacomo Puccini, Lucca’s most famous son. He’s regarded as the greatest and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi.

Adult price: £2

Best for ages 18+

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St Martin’s Cathedral

Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

The most important church in Lucca. Begun in the 11th-century, it has a magnificently carved marble façade and houses the tomb of Ilaria Carretto, a beautiful work in marble by Jacopo della Quercia.

Best for ages 18+

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Walk or cycle Lucca’s city walls

Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Don’t miss a stroll or bike ride around the 2.5 miles of walls; the locals love their ramparts and cycle, walk, jog and picnic here regularly (in summer, go early or late in the day to avoid the heat). You can hire bikes from Cicli Bizzari in Piazza Santa Maria, from where there is access to the ramparts.

Best for ages 4+

Duration: 1 hour

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Logistics

Price: Free

Minimum age: Any

Age suitable: 18+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Lucca lies between Florence and Pisa and is easily accessible from the A11 autostrada if you are driving. Street parking in the old town is only for residents; visitors must pay for parking in the designated areas around the ramparts.

There are both trains and buses from Florence (around 45 minutes) and Pisa (around 30 minutes). The train station lies just outside the walls to the south of the town, a ten-minute walk from eh Duomo.

There are tourist information offices in Piazza Curtatone and Piazzale Verdi which have walking maps and various guides to the town and its attractions. They can also supply information about where to hire a bike, and have information about the famous Lucchese Villas that are dotted around the nearby countryside.

When to do it

As always, it’s best to avoid visiting in high, hot summer (July and August); May to June and September to October are perfect months. If you want to enjoy Lucca at its best, stay overnight; most tourists just come for the day. And in winter, the town is at its most authentic.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Walking Tour and Exploration of Lucca

Lucca

If you are travelling with your family, in a small group, or individually, share the experience of a guided tour of Lucca’s historic center with others. It is an interesting and economical way to discover the wonders of the town.

Price: €10

Min age: 0

Rating 4.67 / 5 [282 ratings]

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Lucca: Wine Tasting Experience - Tenuta Adamo Winery

Lucca

-friendly and easy going environment -outside patio overlooking the vineyard -opportunity to discuss wine with people from all over the world -personal questions answered in one on one tour guide conversation -walk around the property/vineyard as you'd like!

Price: €15

Min age: 18

Rating 4.78 / 5 [219 ratings]

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Your Lucca Walking Tour

Lucca

On Saturdays and Sundays (some banks holidays too!) at 11am enjoy a 2 hours walking tour with your Local Guide in the charming and pretty Lucca! Join the group and go discovering the strong local identity that makes Lucca different from the rest of Tuscans: legends, towers, churches, powerful families and beautiful ladies protected by strong Walls. The tour will be in English AND Italian: 2 languages = 2 qualified guides! Infants up to 6 years are FREE Children from 6 to 14 only pay 4 euro (Duomo ticket): you may also pay this rate to the Duomo directly.

Price: €18

Min age: 0

Rating 4.82 / 5 [68 ratings]

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Pisa and Lucca Day Trip from Florence

Florence

Discover the elegant cities of Pisa and Lucca, on a Tuscany day trip from Florence! With an expert tour leader, explore the Pisa square of Piazza dei Miracoli to see Pisa Baptistry and the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Pisa Duomo to learn about its history, and then spend the afternoon in nearby Lucca, one of Tuscany’s lesser-known gems. Enjoy a walking tour, seeing Piazza dell 'Anfiteatro, Lucca Cathedral and more, and finish with a slice of 'buccellato,' Lucca’s signature cake.

Price: €52

Min age: 0

Rating 4.00 / 5 [214 ratings]

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Aperitif / Tasting in a Vineyard of Lucca with transfer

Lucca

The only authentic aperitif in the vineyard of Tuscany. It is a story of passion, of farmers, and historical places: a winery off the beaten path, far away from the crowd, but close to the Tuscan traditions. I will pick you up at your in Lucca with my professional van, and I will drive you through the hills of Tuscany. We will start our tour with a walk in the vineyard and we will visit the cellar where you will discover all the secrets of Tuscan wine, thanks to the explanations and the life stories of the farmer. Then, you will taste the wines of the production enjoying an amazing view. Every wine will be matched with products from the garden and some specialties, like salami and pecorino cheese from Tuscany.. a dip in the Tuscan table culture! Remember: it's not a complete lunch... it is about learn how to pair wine and food :) "It's not just drinking wine: we want to make you know the real Tuscany, we want to tell you the story of our roots"

Price: €79

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [58 ratings]

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Lucca Bikes and Bites with food tastings for Small Groups or Private

Lucca

This tour is the best way to experience the city in the manner of locals: by bike. This way you can savour the historic centre fully, the shading city walls and delicious local products while you keep yourself fit.

Price: €85

Min age: 8

Rating 4.95 / 5 [156 ratings]

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Lucca: Guided E-Bike and Wine Tour

Lucca

VISIT THE WALLS AND TASTE WINES AMONG VINEYARDS AND OLIVE GROVES The e-bike tour begins with an introdution to the city by our friendly guide and a visit to the walls of Lucca, over 4 km of cycle path all around the historic center. From this elevated position above the city, you will have a view of the symbolic monuments of Lucca and you will have time to become familiar with the e-bike. After a taste of Lucca the guide will easily lead you outside the walls, entering the surrounding countryside, among charming villages and family farms. The e-bike will allow you to face a few short climbs effortlessly and our expert guide will help you understand the complexity of the "vineyard" ecosystem and its low environmental impact agriculture. The visit will continue in the cellar and in the vineyards with the wine tasting combined with typical local products such as bruschetta, meats, cheeses and olive oil.

Price: €109

Min age: 18

Rating 4.98 / 5 [54 ratings]

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Traditional Farmhouse Cooking Experience in Lucca with Lunch or Dinner

Tuscany

Enter a farmhouse in Lucchesia and experience an authentic hands on cooking class with a passionate local chef. Enjoy the lunch or dinner with a fine selection of wine. The formula is very simple: cooking, eating, talking and meeting new people! The menu is traditional but prepared with so much love! Antonietta, the Chef will cuddle and delight guests with familiar and simple dishes but actually very genuine. After your delicious meal, time goes on in the hall of the villa, without any formality, in an atmosphere of friendship and joy. Antonietta adores cooking and hosting guests. He has refined a menu of Tuscan specialties, using season products and raw materials from the local market. Get ready to learn some of the secrets of our cuisine and enjoy the meal with your friends and family.

Price: €139

Min age: 12

Rating 4.95 / 5 [21 ratings]

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Cesarine: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu with Mamma in Lucca

Lucca

Enjoy a 3-hour hands-on cooking class in Lucca and learn 2 pasta recipes and tiramisu from scratch while connecting with a real Italian family in his local home. Add a market tour before the class for an immersive culinary experience. Share your passion for the Italian cuisine as you make new friends with this small-group class. • 3-hour hands-on pasta and tiramisu class in Lucca • Lunch or dinner with wines, water and espresso included • Learn Italy’s cooking secrets and amaze your loved ones back home

Price: €159

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [121 ratings]

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Complete tour of the city and walls

Lucca

With this tour it is possible to visit the entire city of Lucca at 360 degrees, also including its history and development in over 2500 years of history, all accompanied by a horse, Luigi, who has now become an icon of the city!

Price: €193

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [26 ratings]

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Full-Day Private Pisa and Lucca Tour from Florence

Florence

Enjoy a private tour of the Tuscan cities of Pisa and Lucca, taking advantage of the personalized attention of your driver! Visit the famous Leaning Tower in Pisa, and discover the other wonders of the breath taking Piazza dei Miracoli, the very heart of the city itself: the white marble Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Monumental Graveyard. Then visit Lucca, particularly appreciated for its 16th century intact walls and for the majestic Guinigi Tower. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Florence is included with a private driver for the day.

Price: €338

Min age: 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [12 ratings]

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Private Pisa and Lucca Wine Tour from Florence

Florence

Leave Florence and discover the Tuscan cities of Lucca and Pisa on a day trip. You’ll see the UNESCO-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa (entry own expense), walk around Lucca’s historic city walls, and learn about the famous Chianti Classico wine during a winery tour where samples are included as standard. Even better: Numbers are limited to just eight people for a personalized touch.

Price: €600

Min age: 1

Rating 4.73 / 5 [19 ratings]

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Destination guides

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Florence

Tuscany, Italy

A heady mix of incomparable Renaissance art, gorgeous palazzos, Tuscan cuisine and home-grown haute couture.

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Tuscany

Tuscany, Italy

The astonishingly beautiful region of Tuscany has it all: art cities and ancient hill towns, high mountains and long sandy beaches, alongside luxurious hotels and some of Italy’s best food and wine.

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