Day Trip to Lucca | Your Quick Guide

If you are staying in Pisa, or anywhere in Tuscany for that matter, you might want to consider a day trip to Lucca. This immensely beautiful city is not frequently visited by tourists and is often overlooked in favour of Florence, Pisa or Sienna. It is much more than a colourful postcard city and I want to show you just how. Here is how to spend a day in Lucca. Enjoy.

Day Trip to Lucca | Your Quick Guide

Getting to Lucca from Pisa

By train, the journey from Pisa to Lucca takes around 30 minutes, with frequent departures from Pisa Centrale to Lucca’s well-connected station. As with all journeys on Italian railways, the price is significantly cheaper than that in the UK. In fact, a one-way ticket will cost you around £3.00.

For those with a rented car, the drive is especially scenic, but it takes a bit longer. The journey lasts approximately 45 minutes along well-maintained roads, and it is quite simple.

Both options provide easy access to Lucca’s stunning city walls, cobblestone streets, and beautiful landmarks like the Duomo di San Martino and Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. However, for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, I would suggest the car.

Things to Do in Lucca

Walk the City Walls

Walking the medieval city walls in Lucca is a highlight of any visit. They are especially well-preserved and a lined with the classic Italian combinations of tree. It really is a peaceful experience and gives you some of the best views in the city. In regards to starting off the day, or simply soaking up the history, walking Lucca’s city walls is a great place to start your day trip.

Explore the Historic Centre

The historic centre hosts some of the most iconic buildings in the city and is the natural second stop after the walls. Firstly is the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, which is (rather ironically) an oval-shaped square. The strange shape is because it was actually built on the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre. Another key sight here is the Duomo di San Martino, which is also home to the Volto Santo statue. For that lesser-seen part of the historic centre, make sure you visit Palazzo Pfanner. This is a stunning 17th century villa with surrounding gardens boasting an impressive display throughout the year, especially during summer.

Enjoy Local Cuisine

Like many places in Tuscany, part of the joy is sampling the local cuisine. Tuscan dishes are renowned for simplicity, whilst also boasting tremendous flavours. One example is the local tortilli lucchese, a ravioli-like past filled with meats, herbs and cheese. Whilst pasta is the way to go in the summer, on colder days I would suggest the hearty farro alla lucchese. This is filled with grains, beans and local vegetables. Of course, to be truly Italian, this needs to be washed down by a glass of the local Montecarlo wine.

If you’re looking for good coffee stops, Caffè Santa Zita-Biscotteria located in Piazza San Fredian is the ideal place to stop by. You’ll be met with retro interiors and a beautiful garden, plus their flower-shaped croissant Giunchiglia is delish! Another nice spot is the H&G – Coffee Lounge on Via S. Giorgio.

Visit the Guinigi Tower

In terms of landmarks, the Guinigi Tower is up there with one of the best in the city. What I love is the the rooftop garden, which even boasts oak trees growing on the top. The 230 steps up might seem a bit steep, but trust me; the panoramic views of the city and the garden are worth it.

Discover the Museums

The artworks of the Renaissance and Baroque are sometimes, if not always, best observed in Italy. In Lucca, the first stop to enjoy this has to be Palazzo Mansi. You’ll even find beautifully preserved period rooms showcasing traditional Lucchese life. Another stop has to be the Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Ducale for yet more gorgeous and unique artwork of these two periods in Italy.

For something quirky and different, you could try the Lucca Museum of Torture. As you might have guessed, this focusses on the gruesome methods used in the past. However, it is really interesting and is an excellent contrast to the other options.

Visit the Orto Botanico

For nature lovers, the botanical gardens in the historic centre are a must. They have a diverse collection of plants from various regions and create a peaceful area in a busy city. I think that these are best enjoyed in the summer after lunch, with an iced drink in hand.

Check out local festivals

Like many cities in Italy, Lucca has its own fair share of festivals. Perhaps the most famous event is the Luminara di Santa Croce, which is help every 13th of September. During this festival, the streets are illuminated with candles and lanterns. Additionally, a visit during this festival will include processions, music, food and much more.

Tips for Visiting Lucca

• Start early: To avoid crowds, plan your visit early in the day when the city is quieter. The morning light is also perfect for photography.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes: Much like other Italian cities, Lucca’s centre has cobblestone streets and uneven paths, so comfortable footwear is essential for walking around.
• Check Opening Hours: Some of the city’s smaller museums and churches have limited opening hours, so it’s a good idea to check ahead of time to avoid any disappointment.

Final Thoughts | Day Trip to Lucca

I hope that I’ve persuaded you that a day trip to Lucca is well-worth doing. Whilst it may not be as well-known as some of its Tuscan counterparts, there is plenty to see and do. Plus, it is such a beautiful place that even a leisurely stroll around is worth doing. As always, please let me know if you have any questions; I always love hearing from you.