What is there to do in Lucca for a day?
- Visit the Cathedral of San Martino. San Martino Cathedral, Lucca - Credit: C.
- Explore the streets of the historic centre. Lucca from the Guinigi Tower - Credit: C.
- Have an aperitivo in piazza del Anfiteatro.
- Visit the Giacomo Puccini Museum.
- Walk hand in hand along the old walls.
Full Answer
What to do in Lucca in 3 days?
The Roman Amphitheater. From Fillungo, you get almost everywhere in the town center: if weather is good, a nice walk will lead you to the discovery of Lucca's most charming spots and places you can’t absolutely miss, including Piazza dell’Anfiteatro or the Amphitheatre Square, a true jewel from Roman times.
What is Lucca famous for?
During the Roman era, Lucca served as an important meeting place for Julius Caesar and Crassus. In later years, the city was an independent republic for nearly 500 years as part of feudal Italy.
What are the best places to eat in Lucca?
Lucca's Duomo (Cattedrale di San Martino) The square with the beautiful cathedral and nice cafes and restaurants around create a lively atmosphere. 4. Fattoria al Dotto
Is Lucca too busy to visit?
While Lucca won’t be as insanely busy as places like Florence or Rome, it is still peak season, which means more expensive accommodation and longer lines. Plus, with Lucca being a popular day trip from Florence, you can expect plenty of day trippers at this time of year.
How do I spend a day in Lucca?
What to do in Lucca in one dayStart the day with some Italian pastries.Visit the impressive Lucca Cathedral.Climb the Guinigi Tower.Church of San Michele in Foro.Climb the Clock Tower.Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi.Tour the Pfanner Palace.Admire the Basilica of San Frediano.More items...•
Is Lucca worth a day trip?
Lucca is one of the cities most loved all of Tuscany, a stop that can not really miss in a classic itinerary to the discovery of the region. The city can be visited in a day, but if you want to appreciate the best stop for a few days or choose it as a base to explore central or north Tuscany.
How many days do you need in Lucca?
Two full days in Lucca were enough for us, but you would need one more day if you are planning to visit Pisa.
What is Lucca known for?
Lucca is famous for its music and over summer there is an annual music festival hosting artists such as Bob Dylan, John Legend and the Rolling Stones in Piazza Napoleone . However, as Lucca was the home of famous composer Puccini we felt it only right to experience some opera in the church where he was baptized.
Which is better Siena or Lucca?
Lucca is quieter, smaller easier to get around and has a more small town feel. It does have some great medieval art, as Ruskin noted. Siena is also more central and a good base for visiting the sights of central Tuscany, like Chianti or San Gim. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
Is it better to stay in Pisa or Lucca?
Lucca ! Pisa is one of my least favorite Italian towns. It's worth a short visit to see the beautiful duomo and of course the tower but it lacks the charm and intimacy of Lucca. Lucca on the other hand is small, gorgeous, warm and friendly, safe.
How do you get around in Lucca Italy?
The main public transportation options for travel within the city are taxis. Trains and busses are available for transportation outside of the city. Taxis are available within Lucca, but because of the city's small size, they are not generally used within the city.
Is Lucca Italy safe?
Lucca is a fairly safe place to visit. Having said this, there are certain precautions that travelers to the area should take in order to ensure a smooth trip through Tuscany. Like always, the most important tool for staying safe is common sense. Avoid traveling alone at night.
Where is the Centre of Lucca?
Centro storico is literally the old town of this Renaissance city: Lucca, in Tuscany Region, in Italy. This old town is surrounded completely by a wall and inside it you can see wonderful buildings like Duomo (Cathedral), the square and the bell tower, from where you can see charming views of the town.
Is Lucca a good base for Tuscany?
Lucca as a base to discover Tuscany While Lucca itself has so much to offer for a truly relaxing break, it is also ideally positioned to explore so many other beautiful places that Tuscany has to offer. Below are some of the day trips you can make from Lucca, either via car or train.
How long is the wall around Lucca Italy?
4,2 km/2The walls of Lucca are the second in Europe for length. With its 4,2 km/2,60 miles, they are just behind the walls of Nicosia, Cyprus capital city. Lucca's city walls have eleven bastions, six main entrance gates and other three more ancient gates.
How far is Lucca from the beach?
Lucca is about 30 kilometers inland from the Tuscan Coast and its sandy beaches on the Tyrrhenian Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea). Fortunately, the coast is only a 30-minute drive away.
How many days do you need to visit Lucca?
Those who choose to visit aren’t going to be disappointed, especially as you only need 1 day in Lucca to uncover its charms. Close to Florence, Lucca is an increasingly popular day trip for those looking to see more of Tuscany.
How to get around Lucca?
While visiting Lucca, you’re going to spend much of your time getting around on foot. Roughly half the streets in the center of Lucca are pedestrian streets, so walking is the easiest way to get to many places.
What is the peak season in Tuscany?
High season throughout Tuscany, including Lucca, is the hot summer months of June, July, and August. While Lucca won’t be as insanely busy as places like Florence or Rome, it is still peak season, which means more expensive accommodation and longer lines.
When is the best time to visit Lucca?
A far more pleasant option for seeing the best of Lucca is to visit during the city’s shoulder season. The months of April and May, as well as September and October are ideal for visiting Lucca as the weather at these times of year includes pleasant temperatures and minimal rain.
Is Lucca a big city?
Lucca isn’t a huge city and is actually an easy place to go sightseeing when you know what you’re doing. Armed with our Lucca itinerary, you can head straight for the city’s main attractions without any messing around. So let’s get to what to do in Lucca in 1 day so you’ll be ready to visit this Italian gem.
Who is Lucca's son?
Laura Facchini / shutterstock.com. Puccini Museum. Probably Lucca’s most famous native son is the acclaimed opera composer Giacomo Puccini. Little wonder then that the house in which he was born in 1858 is now a museum dedicated to the man and his life’s works.
Can you visit Lucca in a day?
Even though you can comfortably cover the highlights of Lucca in a day, you may decide to spend more time there. Aside from exploring every nook and cranny of the city, you can also choose to use Lucca as a base to venture out into the surrounding countryside.
Walking & Biking Tours
Private tour: Kids in Lucca - Stepping Back in Time to the Middle Ages.
Top Attractions in Lucca
The city’s walls are a miraculous structure, built as a defensive rampart due to the constant threats from both sides…
Private Sightseeing Tours
Private tour: Kids in Lucca - Stepping Back in Time to the Middle Ages.
What to do in Lucca in less than a day?
If you have less than a day in Lucca, skip the churches (except the Duomo) and climb the Guinigi Tower only. If you have to choose between the Pfanner Palace and Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi, go with the latter. It’s much more interesting and beautiful!
What time is the Duomo di Lucca?
09:30 AM – 10:20 AM#N#Duomo di Lucca is one of the must-see sites. This impressive 11th-century cathedral is dedicated to Saint Martin. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Lucca.
How long is the wall of Lucca?
If you want to go for a stroll, do it on the walls of Lucca (Le mura di Lucca). The 4 km long Renaissance city walls are turned into a lovely area planted with trees. It provides an exceptional panoramic point over the city.
Is it cheaper to park in Lucca?
If you’re arriving by car, it’s best to park outside the city walls. Car parks are much cheaper and it’s even possible to find free parking. In addition, most part of the historic centre of Lucca is ZTL (access regulation).
What is the city of Lucca known for?
Lucca is known throughout Italy for its fantastic medieval city walls that still encircle most of the historic old town. Originally this city was founded by the Etruscans and was then a Roman colony around 180 BC. During the Roman era, Lucca served as an important meeting place for Julius Caesar and Crassus.
Where is Lucca located?
Lucca is a historical city located in Tuscany on the western coast of Italy – this city lies in close proximity to Pisa and is known as the city of a hundred churches due to its large amount of historical religious structures. Lucca is known throughout Italy for its fantastic medieval city walls that still encircle most of the historic old town.
What is the most important tower in Lucca?
Lucca has several interesting historical towers, but none are as interesting as the strange Torre Guinigi – this is the most important and iconic tower in Lucca and is known for its rooftop garden.
What is the name of the aqueduct in Lucca?
Acquedotto Del Nottolini. To the south of Lucca, you can find a marvel of architectural achievement in the form of the Aqueduct of Nottolini. This epic structure was once used to carry water from the mountains into the city and contained 400 arches made from stone stretching for 3km.
Where is the Lucca Cathedral located?
Lucca Cathedral. Located in the historic old town in the Piazza San Martino, the Duomo is a truly impressive structure and is renowned throughout Italy for its stunning façade and design. The front façade features a series of opulent archways and an ornate portico framing the front doors.
Where is the square of Napoleon located in Lucca?
Located only a short distance from the Piazza dell Anfiteatro, the Square of Napoleon is another fantastic open space within the historic town centre of Lucca and features some important buildings.
Is Lucca a part of Italy?
In later years, the city was an independent republic for nearly 500 years as part of feudal Italy. During the 19th century, Lucca was conquered by Napoleon, and it finally became part of Unified Italy in 1860. Today, Lucca is a popular tourist destination and has close ties with Pisa. For those who love historical architecture ...
When is the Lucca Summer Festival?
The Lucca Summer Festival takes place between July and August inside the walls of the city, in the historical centre.
What is the most famous building in Lucca?
The Guinigui Tower is one of the few towers that still remains in Lucca. During the medieval time, there were over a hundred. Having a garden with large trees on its upper terrace, which can be seen from various corners of the city, this is certainly one of the most iconic buildings in Lucca.
What is the highest tower in Lucca?
This medieval tower has its old clock still operating. The Torre delle Ore is the highest tower in Lucca and from its top you can enjoy beautiful views of the city, highlighting the Via Fillungio.
What is the name of the street that crosses the center of Lucca?
The Via Fillungo is Lucca’s main and perhaps the most characteristic street. It crosses practically the entire historical centre and has many medieval constructions as well as buildings which still preserves its historical facades.
What is the name of the church dedicated to Saint Martin?
But if there is one you should not skip is the Duomo di Lucca, a mesmerizing construction dedicated to Saint Martin. Inside the church, there is the Volto Santo, a relic thought to have come from the Holy Land during the 8th century. And that’s why the city is such an important stop at the Via Francigena.
Is Lucca a pilgrimage city?
As we mentioned above, Lucca is part of the pilgrimage route of the Via Francigena, which makes possible to visit the city by bike or foot. We went there cycling and were surprised to see the region has very good infrastructure for this type of transportation, as well as being a very scenery route.
Taste Buccellato, the traditional cake of Lucca
Sitting under the mist proved the perfect opportunity to try the local cake. Buccellato is a sweet bread mixture with raisins and aniseed. The first written reference to this cake was in 1485, in legal documents relating to a woman who used a poisoned Buccellato to rid herself of her husband.
Church of San Michele in Foro
Leaving the shelter of the café, we braved the heat and headed for San Michele in Foro. Dominating the Piazza San Michele, lined with beautiful 15th and 16th C palazzi, the church is unexpectedly stunning.
Casa Puccini Museum
A few corners away, in the Corte San Lorenzo, stands the Casa Puccini, where the composer was born. The birth home of the great Maestro of the opera Giacomo Puccini is now a museum where you can follow the traces left by the great composer and know more about his life and passions.
Via Fillungo
From here the course on our map led for a while along the Via Fillungo, Lucca’s main shopping street. This is a perfect place to meander along, glancing in the windows and browsing the occasional shop.
Guinigi Tower
A glance down a side street and I spied the Torre Guinigi, a medieval tower famed for the oak and ilex trees growing on top of it.
Piazza Anfiteatro
We sought refuge from the heat at a café in the old Roman amphitheater. We really just wanted cold drinks but ended up with a plate of salami, cheeses, and olives. A perfect snack on such a hot day – and once again, the mist drifted down from the umbrella.
Walk up onto the walls
We finished the day with a walk up onto the walls. This proved an absolute delight – I hadn’t realized such a wide path, complete with grass and trees, ran atop the walls. People were walking their dogs, others rode bikes, and kids were playing in parks. There were even some cafés and restaurants, and the walls overlook the city.
