Lucca is a stunning city that lies in the Middle-Northern part of Italy. In the medieval times it was the capital of Tuscany.
Among other magnificent things, the city is known for the walls that it’s surrounded by, which were built in the Renaissance between 1504-1645. Despite the centuries that passed, the walls remained standing and since the city has expanded beyond them.
We stayed in the ancient city between the walls, and I must admit that it stole my heart from the first second I laid my eyes on it. There are many old alleys with shops, restaurants, and cafes and a unique vibe that I can’t really explain. There is so much to do and so many people, and during the summer, the locals come here as well.
Bike riding
One of the best things to do in Lucca is to rent a bike and go riding above the walls. The walls are so wide, that there is a biking trail, and even parks for children and lawns. The ride is really convenient and nice, it’s all plain so you’ll be good even if you’re not in shape. You can also ride in the city itself between the magical allies.
It was an awesome experience, and you should definitely do it. We rented our bikes from a store called Tuscany Ride-a-Bike. The cost per hour is 5 euros and 7 for 2 hours, and there is also an all-day option and even multiple days.
Viewpoint from the clock tower
I happen to love towers that have a good view to a city, and I must say that the clock tower did not disappoint me even the slightest. There is a climb, but it’s not that bad. It’s as if climbing 7-8 flights of a building, and it’s totally doable without a lot of effort.
The view is incredible and there’s a great breeze. The admittance is 4 euros, and during November-February the entrance is prohibited. Hours: March and October 9:30am-5:30pm. April-May 9:30am-6:30pm. June-September 9:30am-7:30pm.
Visit the Palazzo Pfanner Gardens
The beautiful Palazzo Pfanner Gardens are a hidden gem within Lucca’s old city. You can stroll among classical statues, fountains, and well-kept flower beds. The palace itself is small but charming, offering a peaceful and relaxing experience. Directions.
Experience the Farmers’ Market
On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, an open-air food market takes place just outside Lucca’s walls – the Lucca Farmer’s Market. You’ll find cheeses, oils, pastries, and fresh vegetables – an authentic local experience and a perfect opportunity for a spontaneous picnic on the city walls. Directions.
Step Inside the San Martino Cathedral
The Duomo di San Martino (Lucca Cathedral) is a stunning Gothic church in the heart of the city, with an impressive façade and rare artworks inside. One of the highlights is the “Volto Santo” (Holy Face) – an ancient wooden sculpture of Jesus and one of the most revered religious artifacts in Tuscany. Directions.
Self-Guided Gelato Tour
There are so many amazing gelaterias in Lucca! A few highlights include:
- Gelateria Veneta – classic Italian gelato
- Gelateria De’ Coltelli – high-quality, natural flavors
Tours in Lucca
We didn’t experience these tours ourselves, but they look cool and are reasonably priced.
- Walking tour in Lucca
- Self-guided bike tour from Lucca to Pisa
- Food tour in Lucca
- Olive and wine tour
Things to Do Around Lucca
Just a half-hour drive from Lucca, you’ll find the Buonamico Winery, one of the most unique and stunning places in Tuscany. The winery offers a variety of experiences, including wine tastings with cheese and salami snacks or a traditional lunch. Upon arrival, we were immediately impressed by the winery’s beautiful design and the panoramic views surrounding it. The wine experience here is not just about tasting, but also about learning and relaxing, with a fascinating tour of the winery’s facilities, including areas for fermentation and aging. The winery also produces sparkling wines, and we learned they are in the process of building a resort, promising to elevate the visit even further.
Not far from the winery is the charming village of Montecarlo, which we visited based on a recommendation from the winery staff. The village, located on a hill, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. A visit to Montecarlo includes exploring its 14th-century fortress and wandering through its picturesque streets filled with restaurants and cafes. After strolling through the quaint alleys, we enjoyed a pizza at a local restaurant and visited the impressive fortress, where you can enjoy a well-maintained garden and several viewpoints that showcase the stunning landscape. An extended post about our experience.
Restaurants in Lucca
Ristorante Cantine Bernardini Lucca
This makes the list of our top 5 on our Italy trip. One day we took a trip outside of Lucca, and as soon as we got back we were just a little hungry, and we started looking for a place to eat. We came across Ristorante Cantine Bernardini Lucca, and we read some good reviews. We weren’t too hungry so we decided to eat there when we would enjoy the meal to the fullest. We booked a table for that same night and we just had a small snack.
By sunset we started getting ready; we dressed up and we walked over to the restaurant. It was already almost full, and the design was very romantic. The waiters were really nice. We ordered a sampler of 5 seafoods and we also got some bread.
I’m not a fan of bread at restaurants because I just find it too filling. However, I must say, that this was the best bread that I’ve ever had at a restaurant. It tasted like cake. I also love the seafood platter, it was delicious. For the main course we ordered ravioli filled with fish, and a meat course with beans and polenta, as well as a baked veggies course.
The ravioli was just wow. I’m serious. It was so delicate and flavorful. It was just sooo good. The meat was delicious and did not disappoint. I was already full, but I also tried the veggies, that were well-seasoned. Roman never gives up dessert, so he ordered a tiramisu and I got the panna cotta with fruit syrup. We loved the desserts. The panna cotta was light and tasty, and Roman claimed that it was the best tiramisu he has ever had. Of course, I forgot to mention, we ordered some wine and it was fantastic.
I highly recommend this place. It was one of the best restaurants of our trip by far.
Address:
Via del Suffragio, 7, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-10:30pm, closed on Mondays.
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Osteria Da Rosolo Lucca
This is a great place if you’re looking for big meals and delicious food. They have good reviews only, and you can be full even if you just order a main course.
The prices are low and the food is great. For a starter, we ordered a fresh calamari salad, which was really good. For the main courses, Roman ordered 2 (he only realized that it was too much when he got them…), he got the spaghetti vengola and a polenta with mushrooms.
I got the ricotta ravioli with vongole, which is a nut sauce. It was so filling, that Roman had only a few bites of the polenta until his fork dropped. Trust me, this does not happen very often ?
Address:
Corte Campana, 3, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Hours:
Thursday-Tuesday: 12pm-2:30pm and 7pm-9:45pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
Directions.
Bottega Del Caffe Dersut
Update 2025: permanently closed
This is a lovely cafe with great pastries. On our second day at Lucca, we wanted to rent bikes and ride around the city, but it was pretty cold and rainy. So as an alternative we decided to sit at a cafe and eat something tasty until the rain stopped. We looked, and looked, until we found Bottega del Caffe Dersut. We saw that there was a large variety of pastries and it got some good reviews (we always check the reviews before we visit places.)
We ordered 2 cappuccinos and 2 croissants. It was nice, and it’s been so lovely to sit at this cafe. After a while the rain did really stop. We could finally continue with our original plan.
Address:
Via Calderia, 14, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 6:30am-7:30pm, closed on Sundays.
Q&A About Lucca
How to Get to Lucca?
We arrived in Lucca by car that we rented in Rome. The drive took about four hours, with two stops along the way. We parked the car outside the old city since it’s difficult to drive inside.
You can search for a car using the search engine Paapm Paapm. I like searching through it because it saves me time (instead of visiting several websites), and it also has an option to filter out less reliable rental companies.
It’s also possible to reach Lucca by train from Florence and Pisa. There is also a bus, but it takes longer than the train, so the train option is preferable.
Where to sleep in Lucca?
We decided to go for an Airbnb, which was charming. We would actually live there if we could. The design was beautiful, and perfect for a couple. It had the greatest kitchen of all the Airbnbs we ever stayed at.
Search for other accommodations
Where can you park the car?
Car access to the old city of Lucca is restricted. It’s recommended to park in one of the lots outside the city walls, such as:
Are there taxis in Lucca?
Yes, but the number of taxis is limited. It’s usually easier to get around on foot or by renting a bike. At night, taxis can be booked via your hotel or a local phone service.
Is it better to reach Lucca by car or public transport?
If you plan to explore the surrounding area, renting a car is more convenient. However, if you’re focusing only on Lucca, taking the train is easy and fast – especially from Pisa or Florence.
When is the best time to visit?
The recommended months are:
- April to June
- September to October
These months offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
What special events are held in Lucca?
- Lucca Summer Festival (July) – A major music festival featuring international artists
- Lucca Comics & Games (Late October – Early November) – One of Europe’s biggest pop culture and comic conventions
Nearby cities and villages worth visiting
- Pisa – 30 minutes
- Florence – 1 hour
- Viareggio – A beach town, 40 minutes
- Montecarlo – A picturesque hilltop village, 30 minutes
- San Gimignano – A bit farther, but worth the visit
Lucca is filled with beautiful buildings, ice cream parlors, cheese and sausage delis, and there are even street artists at the central Piazza. The vibes are incredible. We only spent 3 nights in Lucca, and it’s a shame that we didn’t have more time to explore the city itself.
The location of Lucca is fantastic, it’s only an half hour away from an incredible winery called Viareggio, and a bit of a longer drive to Firenze, 40 minutes away to the village Monte Carlo. If you are ever around Tuscany, you should go for a day trip or even spend a few night. You’re going to thank me.
From Lucca we continued to Lake Como by a car.
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