ITALY
LUCCA
The Best Things To do in lucca
Best Things to Do in Lucca
Lucca is Tuscany’s best-kept secret — a perfectly preserved Renaissance walled city that feels like stepping into a painting. Unlike crowded Florence or tourist-heavy Pisa, Lucca offers peaceful medieval streets, beautiful churches, elegant piazzas, incredible food, and the famous tree-lined city walls you can bike or walk all the way around. It’s the ideal spot for travelers who want authentic Tuscan charm without the crowds. This guide covers the very best things to do in Lucca, from climbing Guinigi Tower to eating tordelli lucchesi, shopping for local olive oil, and enjoying sunset views from the ramparts.
Top Things to Do in Lucca
1. Bike or Walk the City Walls
Lucca’s intact Renaissance walls (built 1544–1648) are the city’s signature experience — a 4.2 km tree-lined path with views over rooftops, gardens, and the Apuan Alps.
Highlights:
- Rent a bike (€4–6/hour) or walk the full loop
- Wide, flat path — perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers
- Shaded by plane trees, horse chestnuts, and pines
- Best at sunset — golden light over the city
- Free access, no cars allowed
2. Climb Torre Guinigi
Lucca’s most famous tower — a 45-meter medieval tower topped with seven holm oak trees, offering the best panoramic views over the city.
Highlights:
- 230 steps to the top — rewarding climb
- Unique rooftop garden with oak trees
- 360° views of Lucca’s red roofs, cathedral, and distant mountains
- Iconic photo spot — trees silhouetted against the sky
- Entry ~€5 (cash or card)
3. Visit San Michele in Foro & Piazza Anfiteatro
Two of Lucca’s most beautiful squares — both full of history, architecture, and atmosphere.
Highlights:
- San Michele in Foro – stunning Romanesque façade with intricate columns and loggias
- Piazza Anfiteatro – oval square built on a Roman amphitheater, lined with cafés and shops
- Perfect people-watching spots
- Evening lights make both magical
- Free entry to square and church exterior
4. Eat Authentic Lucchese Food
Lucca’s cuisine is hearty, simple, and deeply tied to the land — olive oil, beans, game, and fresh pasta dominate.
Must-try dishes:
- Tordelli lucchesi – large stuffed pasta with meat ragù
- Buccellato – sweet ring-shaped bread with anise and raisins
- Zuppa di farro – hearty farro soup with beans and vegetables
- Rovelline – thin veal cutlets with tomato sauce
- Grilled porcini or wild boar (in season)
- Lucca’s famous extra-virgin olive oil – drizzle on everything
Best spots: Trattoria Giglio, Buca di Sant’Antonio, L’Imbuto, or local pasticcerie for buccellato.
5. Shop & Explore Lucca’s Boutiques
Lucca is perfect for relaxed, high-quality shopping — fewer crowds than Florence, more authentic finds.
Best shopping areas:
- Via Fillungo – Lucca’s main shopping street, lined with boutiques, jewelry, leather, and local crafts
- Pasticcerie & bakeries – fresh buccellato, schiacciata con l’uva (grape bread)
- Olive oil & wine shops – buy Lucca DOP olive oil, local cheeses, and Tuscan wines
- Antique & vintage stores – hidden gems in side streets
- Handmade jewelry & ceramics – especially around Piazza Anfiteatro
6. Visit Lucca’s Churches & Cathedrals
Lucca is nicknamed the “city of 100 churches” — many are small masterpieces of Romanesque and Gothic art.
Top churches:
- Duomo di San Martino – Romanesque cathedral with Volto Santo crucifix and Ilaria del Carretto tomb
- San Michele in Foro – intricate façade with columns and loggias
- San Frediano – 12th-century basilica with stunning mosaic façade
- Santi Giovanni e Reparata – ancient Roman ruins beneath the church
7. Torre delle Ore & Other Towers
Climb Lucca’s medieval towers for incredible views over the red rooftops and surrounding hills.
Top towers:
- Torre Guinigi – famous oak-topped tower (best views in Lucca)
- Torre delle Ore – 13th-century clock tower, 230 steps, city panorama
- Palazzo Guinigi towers – historic noble residence with views
8. Enjoy Lucca’s Wine & Aperitivo
Lucca is surrounded by excellent Tuscan wines — perfect for aperitivo or dinner.
Best experiences:
- Colline Lucchesi DOC wines – local reds and whites
- Montecarlo white wine – crisp, floral, and food-friendly
- Aperitivo in Piazza Anfiteatro or Via Fillungo
- Wine bars like Enoteca Vanni or La Bottega del Gelato
9. Attend a Concert or Festival
Lucca hosts world-class music events year-round — classical, jazz, and pop.
Top events:
- Lucca Summer Festival – big names (Sting, Elton John, etc.) in Piazza Napoleone
- Lucca Classica – classical music festival in churches and historic venues
- Concerts in San Francesco or Duomo
- Free summer concerts on the walls
10. Relax in Parks & Gardens
Lucca is surprisingly green — perfect for unwinding after sightseeing.
Best green spaces:
- Parco Sempione – behind Castello Sforzesco, with paths and lawns
- Botanical Garden – historic gardens with rare plants
- Orto Botanico – peaceful oasis near the walls
- City walls themselves – shaded benches and views
Disclaimer: Prices, opening hours, transport schedules, and availability can change. Always check official websites, local tourism offices, and current conditions before your trip to Lucca. Enjoy this beautiful Tuscan gem!