Before you go

Your trip to Lucca.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Lucca – Toscana Destination Toscana about 75 km from Florença

How to get there

Aeroporto di Pisa Galileo Galilei (PSA) Pisa · 25 km
Lucca 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. From Rome or Milan, take a train to Florença; from there regional trains reach Lucca in about 1 hour 20 minutes. From Pisa, the train takes about half an hour, and there are buses from Pisa airport. The station is just outside the southern wall, a few minutes' walk from the center.

How many days

One day is enough to go around the walls, the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, the Torre Guinigi, the two main churches and Puccini's house. Lucca pairs well with Pisa on the same day, but staying overnight in the town lets you cycle the walls early in the morning with fewer people.

When to go

April to June and September to October are usually the nicest months for cycling. From June to August it's warm, but the trees on the walls provide shade. In late October and early November the Lucca Comics & Games takes place and fills the city; check the dates before booking.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. Lucca is flat, the centre is explored on foot or by bicycle and the station is next to the wall. The centre inside the walls has a ZTL; visitors arriving by car should park in the lots outside.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Lucca

Morning
Bike ride on the walls
Rent a bicycle near one of the gates and do the complete circuit on the walls, about 4 km, with views of the rooftops and the mountains. On foot, the walk takes a little more than an hour.
Afternoon
Duomo, San Michele and Puccini
Visit the Duomo di San Martino, with the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, then head to San Michele in Foro. Right next to it, in the Corte San Lorenzo, is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini.
Late afternoon
Torre Guinigi and Via Fillungo
Climb the Torre Guinigi to see the sunset among the trees at the top, when the timing allows. Descend via Via Fillungo, the shopping street, down to the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro.
Evening
Dinner at the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro
Dine in the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro or on the streets around it. Try Lucchese dishes such as zuppa di farro (spelt soup) and tordelli, stuffed pasta with meat sauce.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you do a day trip from Florence to Lucca?

Yes. Regional trains depart from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station and arrive in about 1h20. Many people combine Lucca and Pisa in the same day, since the two are about half an hour apart by train.

Where to rent a bicycle in Lucca?

There are several rental shops near the gates and in the streets of the centre, offering standard bikes, children's bikes and tandems. The route on the walls is flat and closed to cars.

Lucca or Pisa: which to choose?

If you can, both. Pisa has the Piazza dei Miracoli; Lucca has the walls, the squares and a calmer pace. It's possible to see both in one day by train.

When is Lucca Comics & Games?

It's a large comics and games festival that usually takes place in late October and early November. The city gets very crowded and accommodation fills up: check the dates before planning.

Does Lucca have a connection to Puccini?

Yes. Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca in 1858, and his birthplace has been turned into a museum. There is also a statue of the composer in the Piazza Cittadella, in front of the house.

Back to Lucca