Underrated Italy: Lucca | The Hidden Gem of Tuscany
There is so much life to experience within the walls of Lucca. This charming city is no larger than four square miles, and takes roughly 20 minutes to walk from one side to the other. But the amount of history and culture here should not be underestimated. Broad, lush green pathways line the top of the city's walls, creating a perfect spot for jogging and biking. There are also 100 churches, world-famous piazzas, and an incredible art scene in Lucca.
History of Lucca
Dating all the way back to 180 BC, Lucca was prime area for trade due to its location; set at the junction of roads to Parma, Florence, Rome, and Pisa. Lucca was also the capital of Tuscany until the 10th century, when the capital was moved to Florence. The walls surrounding Lucca have been with the city since its commencement in 180 BC, but the walls we see today were built throughout the 1600's. Below is an aerial view of the city, visualizing its walls and the city within.
Lucca in One Day
Because the city of Lucca is so small, it makes for the perfect day trip during your time in Tuscany. From this point on, I’ll be showing you the perfect way to see Lucca in one day.
Start at Stazione de Lucca
Lucca’s train station is located on the south side of town just outside of the city walls. And unless you are traveling with a car, this is most likely how you’ll arrive. From the station it is only a five minute walk to reach the walls. When arriving from the south, you'll be greeted with a tunnel that takes you underneath the wall. Once through the wall, you've made it to Lucca.
Bike/walk around the Walls of Lucca
My personal recommendation is to start your day by going around the walls. This way, you'll get your bearings of the town early. As stated earlier, these walls are lined with pathways that are perfect for biking or walking.
When I went to Lucca, we started our day by renting bikes from Amici Bici, who are located on the southwest side of town and have bike rentals for only €5/hour. Riding around the walls takes about 10-15 minutes on a bike, while walking around takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.
Get lost in Lucca
After exploring the Walls of Lucca, you still have a good chunk of your day ahead of you. At this point, I recommend just strolling down random streets and seeing what you stumble upon.
The City of Art
One of my favorite things about Lucca is the abundance of art. Aside from the random murals and monuments scattered throughout the city, there are art shops on every corner. Whether its paintings, sculptures, photographs, or anything in between, Lucca has it all. When we visited during the summer of 2022, Duomo di San Martino had been converted into an art market, showcasing dozens of local artwork.
Concert Season
During the months of June and July, the "Lucca Summer Festival" comes to town. This festival has major concerts every Saturday during these months, and past artists include Justin Bieber, John Legend, and more. Concerts are set up in Piazza Napolene and tickets sell out quickly. If you are in town during June or July, this concert series is definitely something to check out. For more information, click the link below:
Sights to See
In the few square miles that Lucca takes up, there is so much packed inside. There are exactly 100 churches inside Lucca - see if you can find them all. My personal favorite in Lucca was Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. This piazza is constructed in a circle, which is something I have never seen elsewhere. We went to dinner one night in Piazza dell'Anfiteatro and there was live music, children playing soccer, people painting the scene, just so much going on. It was truly a magical place to see.
Aside from Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, I have listed some more favorites below:
Where to Eat
If you are planning a trip to Lucca, Tuscany, or Italy in general, feel free to contact us via Instagram. We’d be happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have prior to traveling.
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Thank you for reading through this guide and happy traveling!
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