Lucca Day Trip Guide + self guided walking tour from Lucca train station
We loved visiting Lucca on our most recent Italy trip. Though we were fortunate to stay longer than a day in Lucca, we found that it actually makes a wonderful day trip destination!
Conveniently, the best things to do in Lucca are within easy walking distance of the Lucca train station.
If you have just 1 day in Lucca, this day trip guide will point you to the top things to see, do, and eat. We also designed a self guided walking tour route so you can quickly see the best sights.
What to know about visiting Lucca, Italy
Located in northern Italy in the Tuscany region, the city of Lucca is famously known for its well-preserved Renaissance walls. These former defensive walls surround the historic old town while also providing some of the best vantage points of the city.
Once you enter the city walls, you’ll find charming pedestrian cobblestone streets, lively piazzas with a fine selection of restaurants, and beautiful churches and cathedrals.
The historic Old Town area is relatively small and easy to explore in a day without a car. The capital of the province bearing the same name, the city of Lucca’s population is just under 90,000 people.
Lucca is also a great base to explore central and northern Tuscany.
You’ll have easy access to bigger cities like Florence and Pisa while also experiencing the small town Tuscan charm. It’s also a worthy day trip to add to your itinerary from any of those cities or even on your way to Cinque Terre.
How to get to Lucca Italy
For the purposes of this one day Lucca itinerary, we’ll assume you’re arriving by train. But you could also drive or even cycle to Lucca.
Lucca is a little over an hour West of Florence by train, on the way to the Mediterranean beach towns of Italy. It’s just 30 minutes from Pisa by train. The nearest airports to Lucca are Pisa and Florence.
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If you are arriving to Lucca by car, parking is cheaper and more easily available outside the city walls.
Lucca is a small and compact city. You’ll have no problem getting around by simply walking since many of the streets in the city center are pedestrian streets. Another great alternative would be to bike around.
For public transportation, you can use the bus but only a few go through the center because of the narrow streets. For those traveling to Lucca by car, keep in mind that driving within the city center is mostly limited to locals with permits. It’s best to park your car outside the city walls.
Lucca Self Guided Walking Tour Map
For an easy 1 day Lucca itinerary, we created an interactive Lucca Map which includes:
– Our suggested self-guided walking tour route
– Top places to see in Lucca
– Recommended restaurants
– A second walking route on the fortress walls
You’ll be able to click on the map’s points of interest to see our notes and photos.
Sign up below for free access to the Lucca self guided walking tour map!
Best Things to Do in Lucca Italy on a Day Trip
Explore Lucca by bicycle
One of the best ways to explore the city center is by biking. The city is quite compact, meaning you can easily see all the landmarks in a day, especially if you get around faster with a bicycle.
There are several tours available but you can also opt to do a self-guided tour by just renting a bicycle.
Check our interactive map for some convenient bike rental locations.
Walk around Lucca’s walled fortress
The historic walls surrounding the city were originally built to protect the city. They were built in the mid-1600s and early 1800s and are still intact today.
Now the walls are not only a valuable historical landmark but provide people with many spots to relax, walk, and cycle. You’ll even find some cafes along the path.
We enjoyed walking the fortress loop path for exercise. It’s about 3 miles around.
Pass through Porta San Pietro
Porta San Pietro is one of the gateways to the historical walls of the city that’s nearest the train station. It has two side arches that serve as pedestrian passageways while the main arch is for vehicles.
In the center of the arches, you’ll find a shield with the coat of arms of St. Peter and an inscription of the motto of Lucca “Libertas.”
Spend an afternoon at Piazza dell’Anfiteatro
Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is a public square (piazza in Italian) filled with cafes and restaurants perfect for dining al fresco.
The round piazza can be reached through several arched entrances inside the buildings surrounding it. You can actually see a cross carved into the central tile of the square that points to the four gateways of the square.
This is one of the most unique and iconic sights in Lucca.
Catch an event at Piazza Napoleone
Piazza Napoleone is one of the city’s most historically significant squares. It was built by Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi during her rule and then dedicated to her brother Napoleon.
This piazza is bordered by the Palazzo Ducale, an elegant row of sycamore trees, shops, and cafes. The square is commonly used as a venue for concerts and cultural events such as the Lucca Summer Festival.
Admire the architecture of Chiesa di San Michele in Foro
Luca Aless, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chiesa di San Michele in Foro is a Catholic church built over the remains of an ancient Roman forum.
It has a beautiful and intricate facade made up of loggias, a large series of sculptures, inlays, and arcades. It sits in the bustling town square of Piazza San Michele.
Enjoy Piazza San Michele
Piazza San Michele gets its name from the church of San Michele, mentioned above, the main landmark of the square. This is a central piazza in Lucca and a popular gathering place.
The piazza is bordered by medieval buildings with round arches and large windows. In one corner you’ll find the Palazzo Pretorio, another beautiful example of Renaissance architecture in the city.
Visit the Puccini Museum in Piazza Cittadella
Piazza Cittadella is a smaller and quieter square that was the home of the famous composer Giacomo Puccini, which has now been turned into a museum complex.
Inside Puccini Museum you’ll find priceless objects like the piano where he used to compose some of his early work as well as paintings, photographs, sketches, and signed scores.
Do some shopping in Via Fillungo
Via Fillungo is one of the most popular streets that runs through Lucca’s historic center. It’s a long, irregular pedestrian street lined with many shops.
While walking, stop by the boutiques and small shops to pick up gifts, clothing, or grab a bite in a classic trattoria.
Climb the Guinigi Tower for city views
Guinigi Tower is a Romanesque-Gothic tower standing at almost 150 feet with a total of 233 steps to reach the top. It’s known for the tall oak trees that grow on top of the tower.
The entrance to climb the tower is on Via Sant’Andrea and requires a fee (€5 at the time of this writing).
From the top, you’ll get scenic views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Explore Piazza San Martino
Piazza San Martino is named after the San Martino Cathedral, whose asymmetrical facade dominates the entire piazza.
The cathedral has an interesting feature: a mysterious labyrinth sculpted into one of the supporting pillars.
The piazza is usually used to host cultural events, like an antique market that happens every month.
Roam the gardens of Palazzo Pfanner
Palazzo Pfanner is a palace located just a few minutes away from Via Fillungo. It has been converted into a garden and museum that’s open to the public.
The garden has a rich variety of flowers and plants as well as well-kept hedges that contribute to the geometrical beauty of the garden.
Admire the art in the Museum of Villa Mansi
The Museum of Villa Mansi is one of the main art museums of the city. It mainly showcases tapestry collections and post-19th century art.
The museum itself is housed in a Baroque palace belonging to the Mansi family and features grand decorations that are still in place.
Find all these Lucca attractions on our interactive map!
Get access to our Lucca map >
Where to Eat in Lucca Italy
Pizzeria da Felice – Family-run counter service with classics like margherita pizza and local chickpea flour bread
Forno a Vapore – Counter service bakery for focaccia, pastries, and to-go snacks (pictured above)
Da Rosolo – Osteria serving refined traditional Lucchese dishes using local, high quality ingredients in an elegant setting (outdoors and indoors)
Undici Undici – Bistro with a traditional Tuscan menu with outdoor seating facing the San Martino Cathedral
Buca di Sant’Antonio – Known for its traditional handmade pasta and regional dishes served in a cozy trattoria setting
P.S. These restaurants are included in our map!
Where to Stay in Lucca Italy
If you’re planning to stay more than one day in Lucca, we highly recommend staying within the historic city walls.
We were fortunate to find a cute, clean, and central second story apartment overlooking a gelateria. It has one bedroom, private bath, seating area, and small kitchen.
We chose this location because it’s a short distance from the train station so it wasn’t too far to walk with our luggage. It worked out great!
Check out rates and availability for Suite Sofia >
If you’re looking for a small town in Tuscany but that still has a lot of things to do and see, then Lucca is a must-add to your Italy itinerary. We were pleasantly surprised that we hadn’t heard more about Lucca before!
The historic city walls, the vibrant piazzas, and beautiful cathedrals all embody the charm of Tuscany.
Let us know if you have questions or want to share your own Lucca recommendations in the comments below.
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