Nestled between Florence and the Tuscan coast, Lucca is one of Italy’s most quietly captivating towns. A place where life moves at a slower rhythm, and history, culture, and cuisine blend effortlessly.
Unlike more crowded Tuscan destinations, Lucca has preserved its authenticity. It’s a town that rewards wandering, lingering, and living like a local. Here, time truly feels well spent.
Why Visit Lucca
With its mix of medieval architecture, tree-lined Renaissance walls, cobbled lanes, and lively piazzas, Lucca offers something rare: a complete Tuscan experience within walking distance. The town is small enough to explore on foot or by bike, yet full of art, stories, and flavours that reveal themselves slowly — over a coffee in the square, a glass of local wine, or a stroll along the ancient walls at sunset.
Lucca is also ideally located: less than 30 minutes from Pisa and an hour from Florence, while the beaches of Versilia and the mountain valleys of Garfagnana are just beyond its gates.
The Famous Walls of Lucca
Encircling the old town, Lucca’s walls are its defining feature: a nearly five-kilometre ring built in the 16th century to protect the city from Florence’s expansion. At 12 metres high and 25 metres wide, the walls are now a public park — locals jog, cycle, and walk their dogs here, while visitors enjoy panoramic views over rooftops, bell towers, and the surrounding hills.
A walk or bike ride around the walls is the perfect way to begin your visit. You’ll find shaded trees, cafés, and benches where locals meet, read, and watch the day unfold.
Inside the Historic Center
Stepping through the gates feels like stepping into another era. Lucca’s historic center is almost entirely pedestrian, making it one of Italy’s most walkable cities. The streets wind between beautifully preserved buildings that shift from Romanesque to Renaissance to neoclassical — an open-air museum best explored without a map.
Must-see highlights
- Piazza dell’Anfiteatro – a lively oval square built on the remains of a Roman amphitheatre, now lined with cafés and restaurants.
- Torre Guinigi – the famous tower crowned with oak trees, offering one of the best views in Tuscany.
- Duomo di San Martino – home to sacred art and centuries of history.
- San Michele in Foro and Basilica di San Frediano – two of Lucca’s most beautiful churches.
- Via Fillungo – Lucca’s main shopping street, perfect for window-shopping, gelato, or pastries at an old-world pasticceria.
For something special, stop by Pasticceria Taddeucci, known for its buccellato — a sweet bread flavoured with raisins and aniseed that’s been made here since 1881.
Beyond the Walls: Lucca’s Countryside
Lucca’s surroundings are as charming as the city itself.
A ring of hills covered in vineyards and olive groves surrounds the plain, producing some of Tuscany’s finest extra virgin olive oil.
You can spend a day visiting family-run vineyards or taking an olive oil tasting tour, where you’ll learn how different terrains shape the flavours.
For a change of scenery, head north to Garfagnana, a green valley of forests and mountains perfect for hiking and quiet villages. Or drive west to Versilia, where elegant beach clubs in Forte dei Marmi and Pietrasanta offer a classic Italian seaside experience.
Culture, Music & Events
Lucca has a deep artistic soul. Each summer, the Lucca Summer Festival fills the city with music, drawing international artists like Elton John, Norah Jones, and John Legend to perform in Piazza Napoleone.
In autumn, the city transforms for Lucca Comics & Games, Europe’s largest event dedicated to comics and cosplay — a joyful celebration that fills every street and piazza with colour.
Throughout the year, you’ll find antique markets, small concerts, and open-air events that reflect Lucca’s balance between tradition and creativity.
When to Visit
- Spring and autumn are perfect for sightseeing and wine tastings — warm days, fewer crowds, and golden light over the hills.
- Summer brings lively events and warm evenings ideal for outdoor dining.
- Winter is quiet and atmospheric: a great time to explore Lucca’s Christmas markets or nearby ski resorts in Abetone.
Stay in and Around Lucca
To experience Lucca at its best, stay in a private villa or farmhouse just outside the city. You’ll wake to the sound of church bells in the distance, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees, and soft morning light over the Apuan Alps. It’s the perfect base to explore Tuscany: close enough to stroll Lucca’s cobbled streets for coffee, yet quiet enough to enjoy evenings by the pool with local wine in hand.