In a nutshell
- You can easily see all of Lucca’s highlights in one to two days.
- Climbing the Torre Guinigi — with its ancient oak trees growing at the top — is a must-do in Lucca.
- The Piazza dell’Anfiteatro was once a real Roman amphitheater — you can still see the elliptical shape today.
- The beach is closer than you’d think — Viareggio is just 30 minutes by car or 20 minutes by train.
Our Top 10 Things to Do in Lucca
Lucca isn’t particularly large, yet this little town is one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany and it fits perfectly into your Tuscany road trip. Here are our ten highlights in Lucca.
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro
The Piazza Anfiteatro is one of the top attractions in Lucca — and honestly, it’s easy to see why.
What makes this piazza so special is its perfectly elliptical shape, which comes straight from its past life as an amphitheater during Roman times.
Where the stands once were, you’ll now find quintessentially Italian residential buildings with green shutters.
There are several cafés and restaurants on the piazza where you can sit back and watch the world go by.
Our tip: The Ristorante Angolo Tondo, right next to one of the entrances to the piazza. Outstanding Tuscan cuisine with freshly baked bread and regional olive oil. Reservations are a must!
Torre Guinigi
The Torre Guinigi is probably the most famous landmark in Lucca.
The medieval tower stands about 45 meters tall and is famous for its seven centuries-old oak trees growing right at the top.
There’s even a painting of Lucca from the 14th century showing — among the city’s many towers of the time — a tower with trees on top. The current oaks, however, are said to be not quite that old.
You can climb the tower, and from the top you’ll get a great view over the Piazza Anfiteatro and the surrounding mountains. Totally worth it.
Le Mura: The City Walls
Lucca’s city walls are completely intact and fully encircle the historic center.
The wide fortification was built in the Middle Ages as a defense against the ever more powerful Florence, and features several bastions and cannon ports.
The walls are so wide that a four-kilometer-long promenade was built along the top. There are also lawns, playgrounds, and from the 12-meter-high ramparts you get a whole different perspective on Lucca’s highlights.
If you don’t feel like walking the full 4 kilometers, you can rent a bike and explore the whole city that way:
Lucca Cathedral
The façade of Lucca Cathedral was modeled after the cathedral in Pisa, and the resemblance is easy to spot.
You can go inside and climb the bell tower too. Both cost 3 euros each.
One really special feature of the cathedral is the labyrinth carved into the exterior wall.
To this day, nobody knows exactly what it means. It’s thought to have something to do with the Knights Templar, since a similar labyrinth can be found in a Templar church in Chartres, France.
Chiesa San Michele
Even if it isn’t the most important church in Lucca, with its white marble façade it is absolutely the most beautiful.
The Chiesa San Michele stands where the Roman forum once was, on the Piazza San Michele.
You can walk in at any time — admission is free.
The square surrounding the church is always lively, with several cafés and restaurants close by.
Piazza Napoleone
The Piazza Napoleone is a central square in Lucca that, for a change, isn’t medieval — it was redesigned in the 19th century by Napoleon’s sister.
She ruled over Lucca for several decades while Napoleon was king of Italy.
The square is lined with large trees that provide shade in summer, and features a historic carousel and several pizzerias.
You also can’t miss the Palazzo Ducale, Lucca’s ducal palace, right on the square.
It’s a great spot to take a break and is a popular meeting place for locals.
Our tip: Just a few steps from the piazza, there’s a unique ice cream shop called Gelatarium. Here you put together your own cone and pay by weight at the end. The ice cream is seriously delicious!
Torre dell'Orologio
The Torre dell’Orologio, or clock tower, is the tallest tower in Lucca — and yes, you can climb it.
At a height of 54 meters, the panorama from the top is fantastic.
The tower already had a clock back in the 14th century, though what it looked like is unknown.
The current clock dates from the 18th century, and inside you can view the clockwork mechanism up close. A real highlight for anyone who loves that kind of thing.
Via Fillungo
Via Fillungo is the historic pedestrian lane that winds through the heart of Lucca.
On either side, medieval buildings rise up and countless boutiques selling antiques, jewelry, and fashion line the way.
Via Fillungo is essentially the main artery of Lucca’s old quarter — strolling along it, you’ll pass many of the must-sees, including the Piazza Anfiteatro and the Torre dell’Orologio.
Ponte del Diavolo
If you have a car in Lucca, don’t miss a side trip to the Ponte del Diavolo — the Devil’s Bridge.
It’s about a half-hour drive from Lucca, in the small mountain village of Borgo a Mozzano.
The legend-shrouded arched bridge is seriously impressive, and you can walk right across it.
Much like the Torre del Diavolo in San Gimignano, the devil is said to have lent a hand in its construction here too.
Villa Torrigiani
Villa Torrigiani is a truly beautiful Baroque villa just outside Lucca, set within an expansive park.
The magnificent 17th-century building is open to visitors today, even though one floor is still occupied by the owners’ heirs in summer.
Queen Mum and the Queen from London have both been guests at the villa and planted a tree in the park.
You can visit both the villa and the gardens. There are beautiful walking paths, exotic plants, a water grotto, and several fountains with water features.
Garden admission costs 10 euros, villa entry 15 euros.
Our Hotel Tips in Lucca
If you’re only staying one to two nights in Lucca, you should definitely look for a place to stay inside the city walls, in the old town.
For longer stays, there are stunning historic country villas around Lucca that have been converted into hotels. We especially recommend the Fabbrica di San Martino.
If you need more accommodation options for your Tuscany trip, be sure to check out our hotel tips for Tuscany.
From Lucca to the Beach
One of the best things about what to do in Lucca? The sea is super close, so you can easily work a few beach days into your stay.
The nearest beach is in Viareggio, less than 30 kilometers from Lucca.
This lively seaside resort is one of the best-known beaches in Tuscany, with several kilometers of sandy beach and countless beach umbrella rentals.
From Lucca, the drive to Viareggio takes about half an hour by car; by train it’s about 20 minutes. From the Viareggio train station you’ll still need to walk a bit to reach the beach.
