Discovering Lucca and Surroundings: Must-See Places

Lucca is a jewel city, which reveals itself to visitors little by little. The first impression is given by the 16th-century walls still perfectly preserved that embrace the historic center and offer a 4 km long walk.

Moved by tree-lined avenues, staircases, and green squares, they are one of the favorite places for the people of Lucca to walk or cycle, jog, relax a bit, peeking from above at buildings and courtyards, cobblestone streets, vegetable gardens, and gardens.

What to see and do in Lucca for those who don’t have time

The visit can start from the beautiful Piazza Napoleone, with a nineteenth-century layout, also called Piazza Grande, overlooking the Palazzo Ducale, marked by large courtyards and richly decorated rooms.

A few hundred meters away, heading east, the Cathedral of San Martino rises, a masterpiece of Romanesque art, with a façade of multiform columns and a portal adorned with wonderful bas-reliefs. Inside, it houses unique treasures, such as the Holy Face, a wooden crucifix from the 10th century by an unknown author, and the fifteenth-century funeral monument to Ilaria del Carretto, a work by Jacopo della Quercia.

Another monument particularly dear to the people of Lucca is the Church of San Michele in Foro, whose façade of white limestone, adorned with rich Romanesque decorations, floods the beautiful square with light, where local shops and ancient stores of typical products nestle. A few steps away, in the maze of narrow streets, there appear the square with the monument and the house-museum (currently under restoration) of the great musician Giacomo Puccini, the most famous Lucchese in the world.

And heading east, via Fillungo, the central artery, long and narrow, lined with elegant shops (famous for goldsmiths, as goldwork boasts an ancient and prestigious tradition in Lucca) and historic venues such as the Caffè di Simo. Walking along via Fillungo is particularly pleasant and relaxing, allowing you to experience firsthand the good taste and art of the fine living of this city. The street also allows you to reach the spectacular piazza dell’Anfiteatro, which has maintained its unique elliptical shape over the centuries, also used by cinema and advertising, and the square with the Basilica of San Frediano, whose white marble façade is dominated by a splendid mosaic in Byzantine style (13th century), depicting the Ascension of Christ.

Among the wonders of Lucca are also the towers, which allow you to discover it from above, revealing breathtaking views and dizzying sights. It is definitely worth climbing the one of Palazzo Guinigi, called the tree-topped tower because of the characteristic centuries-old holm oaks that adorn its summit, or the tower of the Hours, where a large eighteenth-century clock stands out, whose mechanism (visible at the top) is connected to the bells. And then there are events like Lucca Summer Festival and Lucca Comics & Games.

If you’re looking for what to do and see in Lucca in one day, you’re in the right place. This article will guide you through a carefully planned itinerary to allow you to discover and enjoy the best of everything Lucca has to offer.

What to see and what to do in Lucca: itinerary for one day

Although you only need one day to see the attractions of Lucca, don’t think there isn’t much to see in this charming Tuscan city. The historic center of the city is so compact that none of the best places to visit in Lucca is too far away. With a day in the city, you can see everything Lucca has to offer in its historic center.

However, before moving on to our Lucca itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will happen, and believe us, you don’t want to end up having to pay thousands of dollars in medical bills. As a wise person says, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.”

Cathedral of San Martino

Inside the walls of Lucca, there are many historic churches, but the Cathedral of San Martino is the one that stands out. Also known as the Lucca Cathedral, it’s not as tall as the main cathedrals of Siena and Florence but makes a great impression with its grand Gothic architecture and combination of marble and bricks. It also boasts a large marble atrium inside and an incredible level of detail everywhere, such as stone sculptures and intricate painting on the facade. Don’t miss the climb up the bell tower to enjoy your first view over all of Lucca.

The sacristy of the Cathedral has been transformed into a museum to allow better preservation of the famous funerary monument of Ilaria del Carretto, a work by Jacopo della Quercia, previously kept in the cathedral’s transept. In the sacristy, you can also see the altarpiece by Domenico Ghirlandaio Madonna with Child and Saints.

Annexed is the Lucca Cathedral Museum. The Cathedral Museum was created in 1992 to preserve both the furnishings made since the early Middle Ages for the conduct of solemn liturgical functions of the Cathedral as well as sculptural and pictorial works that, removed from their original location for conservation reasons or replaced by more updated authors, lay, little accessible to view, in storage or in the sacristy.

Piazza Napoleone

Given the compact nature of the city center, Piazza Napoleone seems almost too large. Lined with trees and often with a carousel or various seasonal festivals and events, this wide square is a lively place for meetings among the locals. It’s also hard to miss the Ducal Palace, a Renaissance palace that now houses various administrative bodies.

Piazza San Michele

Walking through the streets of Lucca, you might get the impression that the city isn’t as grand as its Tuscan neighbors. This impression will change when you reach Piazza San Michele. This L-shaped square is full of charming architecture, including the Pretorio Palace, the converted banks, and especially the Church of San Michele in Foro. Taking center stage in the square, this white marble basilica has a steep façade full of columns and statues.

Guinigi Tower

One of the most distinctive features of Lucca are the numerous medieval towers in its historic center. Many of these towers can be climbed and have panoramic terraces that offer you a view over the rooftops of Lucca. Each of these towers has its own particular heritage, but the most iconic is certainly the Guinigi Tower.

What makes this red brick tower so interesting are the oaks that sprout from its roof. It’s quite a special feeling to sit in the shade of these trees on the narrow rooftop while looking at Lucca. However, the Guinigi Tower is best appreciated from a little further away. For a great view of the city including the Guinigi Tower, instead climb the Tower of the Hours.

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

Among the many squares in the historic center of Lucca, none is as distinctive as Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. It has an unusual oval shape similar to that of an arena, and the houses around its edges create a complete ring. The shape makes sense once you discover that here stood an ancient Roman amphitheater.

Entering the square through one of the tunnels at the ends, you will pass outdoor seating for cafes and restaurants that fill the space. The traditional buildings curve gradually around you in an intriguing way, and it’s a fun challenge trying to fit them all into one photograph.

City Walls

After seeing them all day, now you can check out up close the imposing city walls of Lucca. Find the city gate closest to you, which will probably be the Porta Santa Maria if you entered through the Porta di Borgo. After taking the nearby ramp, you can start the path of the track that is so popular among runners and cyclists. Walking along the track allows you to admire not only these ancient walls but also the views inside and outside the city.

You might be surprised to discover that these walls, built in the 16th and 17th centuries, were designed by none other than Leonardo da Vinci. Extending about 4 kilometers, they were built to replace the old medieval and Roman city walls. When they were no longer useful from a strategic point of view, the walls became a green recreational space as they are today.

Palazzo Pfanner

The historic district of Lucca houses many palaces, some of which can actually be visited. The most worth visiting is Palazzo Pfanner at the northern end of the city. You can see not only the inside of this 17th-century palace but also its garden, which is what most visitors enthusiastically talk about. Exiting the palace, you descend a covered staircase adorned into this elegant sculpture garden with a fountain and lush vegetation.

Puccini Museum

Probably Lucca’s most famous son is the renowned opera composer Giacomo Puccini. The Birthplace Museum is located in the apartment, on the second floor of an ancient building in the heart of the city of Lucca, where Giacomo Puccini was born on December 22, 1858. In this house, the composer lived all his childhood and early youth, the years of familiarization with music and systematic studies, before moving to Milan, where in 1884 he began the operatic career that made him one of the most famous and most loved composers in history.

The Birthplace, transformed into a museum in 1979, was reopened to the public on September 13, 2011, after important restoration works, which returned the apartment to its original layout, and a radical renewal of the exhibition. The exhibitions in the Puccini Museum include rooms with their original furnishings, including the piano with which Puccini composed, as well as paintings and preliminary sketches of his work.

10 things to see in Lucca in two, three or more days

Although you can comfortably cover the highlights of Lucca in one day, you might want to spend more time there. Besides exploring every nook and cranny of the city, you can use Lucca as a base to explore the surrounding countryside. Here are some options if you have more than 24 hours in Lucca.

1 Baptistery and Church of Ss. Giovanni and Reparata

The church has been opened as a museum to allow visits to the historical layers with remains of various buildings that range from the 1st century BC to the 12th century AD, brought to light by an excavation campaign that began in 1969.

2 Natural History Cabinet of the Machiavelli High School

It houses the naturalistic collections of the ancient University of Lucca: minerals, fossils, shells, insects, birds, scientific instruments.

3 Roman Domus Lucca “House of the Boy on the Dolphin”

The House of the Boy on the Dolphin, a Roman domus dating back to the 1st century BC, was discovered in 2010 during renovation works of the basement of Palazzo Orsucci in the center of Lucca. The site, besides revealing an important chapter in Lucca’s Roman history, presents significant architectural evidence from the Lombard, medieval, and Renaissance eras: in a single room it is possible to admire the evolution of construction techniques over 2000 years. Everyday life objects and votive items were found. Among the most valuable: a bronze fibula from the Augustan age; a sestertius minted by Emperor Tiberius in 14 AD; a terracotta frieze from which the Domus takes its name, depicting two putti riding two dolphins towards the head of a gorgon.

4 Lucca Botanical Garden and Cesare Bicchi Botanical Museum

Established by the will of Maria Luisa of Bourbon, the Botanical Garden experienced a period of crisis from World War I until the 1950s, when the Municipal Administration began its recovery and enhancement. Since 1974, the garden has resumed all its institutional functions. It houses several thousand plant species from the Mediterranean area. Attached to the Botanical Garden is the Cesare Bicchi Botanical Museum, currently not open to the public because it is being cataloged. It houses historical herbaria (Puccinelli, Bicchi, and others).

5 Museum of the Liberation History (1943-1945)

The museum is currently closed, being reorganized in another location. It collects various materials related to the liberation war in the Lucca area. The entrance hall illustrates the Russian campaign (1941-1943). The first room is a testimony to the period 1938-1943. It holds documents related to racial laws, uniforms of Italian Army officers, photographs of the destruction suffered by Italian cities, maps showing the location of all prisoner camps. The second room houses relics and photographs of religious figures killed by the Nazis. The third room, the largest in the museum, presents numerous showcases containing relics of the Italian Liberation Corps and Allied Expeditionary Corps that participated in the liberation of Italy during 1943-1945, also exhibiting a rich collection of photographs. The fourth room shows the contribution made by Lucca citizens to the liberation of the Lucca province territory.

6 Paolo Cresci Museum for the History of Italian Emigration

The “other” history, the history of emigration, which also represents an important part of Italian history, still needs to be fully written with the intents of enhancement and dissemination. From this consideration came the need to create an exhibition space for the Foundation, aiming to make visible the extraordinary documents and the most significant photographs of the Cresci Archive, and to offer visitors the chance to retrace the migratory experience through its stages and vicissitudes. In a path able to intrigue even foreign visitors, a decisive role is played by historical films, for the emotion that only images can provoke in the soul. Therefore, a multimedia space was set up where, besides interviews with emigrants made by the Foundation, some historical films are screened.

7 Italian Museum of Comics and Image of Lucca

The museum’s purpose is to preserve and make available to the public the collected heritage (about 30,000 original boards and sketches and approximately 500,000 albums and magazines) gathered during the activities, started in 1965, of the Lucca International Comics Salon. The material is exhibited on rotation, but full consultation is possible via computerized stations. Multimedia projections and virtual presences of illustrators telling about their work allow visitors to experience a true journey through the history and world of comics.

8 Palazzo Mansi Museum

The National Museum of Palazzo Mansi, a true museum-residence, constitutes an exemplary document of the homes of Lucca’s merchants. Transformed at the end of the 17th century by the Mansi family, its owner, into a “representative palace” set up according to the prevailing baroque taste, it is today an important example of a “museum inside a museum”. In the rooms of this typical Lucca residence, which preserves much of the original furnishings and a precious cycle of Brussels-made tapestries, is housed the Picture Gallery with paintings from Italian and foreign schools from the 16th to the 18th century. On the second floor are the sections dedicated to the 19th and 20th centuries, and in the areas that once held the palace kitchens is the Maria Niemack Rustic Weaving Workshop, which displays looms and tools from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The building: Palazzo Mansi
The palace encloses the centuries-old history of the homonymous family who, from the 16th century onwards, were able to diversify their interests by combining traditional agricultural and landowning activities with commercial initiatives, greatly increasing their economic fortune and social prestige. Late 16th-century in plan, the result of the union of pre-existing tower houses, the palace was purchased in 1616 by Ascanio Mansi. In the renovation commissioned by Raffaello Mansi to the Lucchese architect Raffaello Mazzanti and carried out between 1686 and 1691, the interiors of the main floor were refurbished in a sumptuous baroque style, with frescoes extolling or alluding in various ways to the family’s glory. Other recovery and modernization works were carried out by Luigi Mansi in the 18th century. The palace was sold to the State in 1965 and opened as a National Museum in 1977.

9 National Museum of Villa Guinigi

The National Museum of Villa Guinigi is the museum of the city and its territory, as it displays one of the richest and most interesting collections of artworks produced for Lucca by Lucchese or foreign artists active in the city for ecclesiastical and secular commissions. The main nucleus of the collections dates back to the confiscations of ecclesiastical properties before and after the unification of Italy, to which were later added finds from excavations in the city, new acquisitions, gifts, and deposits from various institutions. In the rooms of the Villa, which was the home of Paolo Guinigi, Lord of Lucca from 1400 to 1430, in late Gothic style, the history of the city is retraced: the itinerary starts from the 8th century BC with the archaeological collection, arriving at the 18th century mainly with sacred-themed works. The National Museum of Villa Guinigi is located in the northeastern area of the city of Lucca, outside the 13th-century city walls and later included within the 16th-century walls. The Villa, one of the oldest and most prestigious palaces in the city, was built starting from 1413 by Paolo Guinigi, lord of Lucca until 1430. Born as a suburban villa and summer representative residence, the building was surrounded by a large enclosed garden, of which today only a portion remains, overlooking the main facade, with the long loggia. After Guinigi’s death, the building suffered severe damage until in 1924 it was designated to house the various city collections as a Civic Museum. In 1948 it was transferred to the State, which performed the building’s restoration and the reorganization of the works. It was inaugurated as a National Museum in 1968.

10 State Library of Lucca

The State Library of Lucca, currently housed in the former Convent of S. Maria Corteorlandini of the Order of Regular Clerics of the Mother of God, originated from the Library of the Lateran Canons of S. Frediano, established in the 17th century by Abbot Girolamo Minutoli. In 1791, it was granted the printing right for Lucca by the Lucchese Republic along with an annual grant for the purchase of books, and in 1794 it was opened to the public.

In 1877, following the substantial acquisition of funds from suppressed ecclesiastical libraries, the Library was transferred to its current building. This incorporated the historic library of the Order of Regular Clerics, set up, as it is still today, in the splendid monumental baroque hall located on the top floor.

What to see around Lucca

1. Serchio Valley

Just north of Lucca there is a deep hill area that adds a lot of atmosphere to the city’s landscape. But instead of just being a background, this region hosts the steep and picturesque Serchio Valley. Along this river valley there are picturesque villages, such as Bagni di Lucca, and beautiful bridges like Ponte della Maddalena, which have crossed the Serchio river for centuries.

2. Pisa

Pisa, famous for its Leaning Tower, is another excellent option for a day trip from Lucca. You can reach Pisa by train in less than an hour, making it a very accessible destination. Once in Pisa, you will have the opportunity to explore the Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery. If you have time, you could also visit other attractions in Pisa, such as the Palazzo della Carovana and the National Museum of San Matteo.

3. Lucchesi Hills and the Wine Road

The hills surrounding Lucca are famous for their rolling vineyards and picturesque farms. This area is known as the Lucchesi Hills and is home to the Wine Road. Along this route, you will have the opportunity to visit local wineries, taste Tuscan wines, and enjoy the beauty of the Tuscan countryside. Some wineries also offer tours and tastings, which can be an excellent way to deepen your knowledge of Tuscan wine.

4. Garfagnana

If you are a nature lover, a trip to the Garfagnana region could be the perfect day trip from Lucca. This mountainous area north of Lucca offers a multitude of outdoor activities, including hiking, climbing, and cycling. Additionally, Garfagnana is famous for its culinary specialties, including cheeses, cold cuts, mushrooms, and flavorful soups of Lucca.

5. Montecatini Terme

For a relaxing experience, consider a visit to Montecatini Terme. This spa town is famous for its healing thermal waters and offers a range of spas and wellness centers. You could spend the day soaking in thermal pools, enjoying spa treatments, or simply relaxing in one of its beautiful parks.

The Best Time to Visit Lucca

To fully enjoy a visit to Lucca, it is important to carefully plan the timing of your trip. The best time to visit Lucca depends on the type of climate you prefer, how crowded you like your destinations, and how it fits into your travel plan.

The high season throughout Tuscany, including Lucca, runs from June to August. Although Lucca is not as crowded as Florence or Rome, the summer is still the peak season here, which means more expensive accommodations and longer lines. The region’s climate also becomes quite hot in the summer. Of course, in December, January, and February, the city is cold and somewhat rainy, and some attractions (such as the Guinigi Tower) are closed for the winter.

The shoulder season is a much better time to see the best of Lucca. Spring (April and May) or autumn (September and October) are ideal, with pleasant temperatures and little rain. Additionally, you won’t have to compete with many other tourists to see Lucca’s attractions.

The months of April, May, June, September, and October are the perfect time to visit Lucca. The weather is warm and pleasant, not hot, and there are fewer tourists.

The Luminaria di Santa Croce, the largest religious festival of the year, takes place on September 13th.

How to reach Lucca

Lucca is easily reachable both by car and by train. The central train station of Lucca is located just outside the medieval city walls. You will be in the heart of the city center in less than 5 minutes. If you plan to travel by train in Italy, book tickets in advance (they are cheaper if you buy earlier). Check schedules and book train tickets online on the official Trenitalia website.

If you arrive by car, it is better to park outside the city walls. Parking is much cheaper and it is also possible to find free parking. Furthermore, most of Lucca’s historic center is a ZTL (restricted traffic area).

Regarding arrival by plane, the closest airport to the city is Pisa International Airport. To get to Lucca, first take the Pisa mover from the airport to Pisa central train station. From there take a train to Lucca (30 minutes journey).

How to Get Around Lucca

During your visit to Lucca, you will mainly get around on foot, as it is a compact city. About half of the streets in the city center are pedestrian-only, so walking is the easiest way to reach many places. Although the historic center is a maze, its huge surrounding walls make it easy to navigate.

You have alternatives to walking, of course, such as cycling along the path on top of the city walls. There is also the simpler approach of taking a bus. Due to very narrow streets, however, only some buses operate within the city. There are more bus lines outside the city walls, like on the ring route around the bypass. Bus tickets start at €1.50 for a single 70-minute pass.

Driving inside the city walls of Lucca is mainly limited to locals with permits. If you drive, your best option is to park outside the city walls. If you are staying overnight in Lucca, ask your hotel where you should park, or find a parking lot near the city gate closest to your hotel.

What to buy in Lucca

Besides grace and good manners, the people of Lucca are masters of living well, an aspect that also translates into a love for beautiful things and quality shopping, which can be found throughout the historic center in boutiques, shops, and ateliers of established excellence.

A timeless address for clothing, leather gloves, silk scarves, hats of various styles, and the most prestigious brands is, for example, Santi-Guerrieri, at via Calderia 7, just steps from the church of San Michele, with signs dating back to 1870.

The large exterior windows form almost a gallery, while inside stand out the period furnishings, with walnut burl and crystal shelves, full of hats reaching almost to the ceiling. Staying on the subject of clothing, it is worth stopping by the tailor’s atelier Piero Ricci, at via Burlamacchi 18, tel.0583.587810, a legendary place, on the first floor of a sixteenth-century building, with rooms opening one inside the other like Chinese boxes.

Among frescoed ceilings, gilded mirrors, immense drop chandeliers, velvet sofas, and antique furniture, there are mannequins, fitting rooms, collections of signed fabrics, and flowing dresses, exclusive and refined creations that the owner leaves a little everywhere, in an apparently chaotic order, so that ladies can touch and try them at their leisure.

Those who love jewelry, especially antiques, will find a small mecca at Gioielleria Carli, at via Fillungo 95, tel. 0583.491119, with beautiful Art Nouveau signs and characteristic showcases in dark wood, where classy bijoux peek out, rows of rings with large stones, necklaces and parure of stolen beauty. At no.18 of the same street, the showcase of Chiocchetti, tel.0583.493179, flaunts collections of silverware and jewelry with pearls and precious stones of artisanal craftsmanship.

Those who love design and the creativity of young designers only need to visit the small workshop and studio of Stefano Pedonesi, at no.3 via del Palazzo Dipinto, where the owner himself brings to life rings, necklaces, and pendants in precious materials that echo the canons of pop art. Or the workshop of Isa Zini, in piazza Anfiteatro 32, tel. 0583.492324, with jewelry of essential, almost primitive shapes, the result of careful research and attentive experimentation.

How many days in Lucca

Is one day enough in Lucca?

One day in Lucca is more than enough to visit the historic center. You will have enough time to climb the Guinigi Tower and the Clock Tower, visit the cathedral, and even the two palaces.

I only have half a day, what should I do?

If you have less than a day in Lucca, skip the churches (except the Cathedral) and only climb the Guinigi Tower. If you have to choose between Palazzo Pfanner and the National Museum of Palazzo Mansi, choose the latter. It is much more interesting and beautiful!

Where to stay in Lucca

Although it is possible to see Lucca on a day trip from Florence, you might want to spend one or two nights there, given its wide selection of accommodations and how easy it is to figure out where to stay in Lucca. To make the most of your visit, you will want to stay inside the city walls (or just outside them), which is definitely where you will find the best places to stay in Lucca.

If you are looking for a special place, consider Alla Corte degli Angeli for your stay. This four-star boutique hotel has a lot of character, attentive staff, and cozy room decor.

If you want to enjoy your time in Lucca without spending too much, the B&B Anfiteatro is a great choice. This bed and breakfast on the outer ring of Piazza dell’Anfiteatro offers spacious rooms and a fantastic breakfast.

Unfortunately, Lucca does not offer many options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, there are some cheaper places to stay, like Affittacamera Luce. Although it is a bit outside the city walls, this guesthouse makes up for it with friendly hosts and nice rooms.

For more accommodation options in Lucca, check Booking.com. This site consistently offers the best rates and its customer service is impeccable.