The Perfect Itinerary for a Day Trip to Lucca, Italy!

We made our second trip to Lucca in September, having first visited in 2015. While we stayed for two days on both visits, many visitors spend only 1 day, or even a half-day, visiting from Florence and other parts of Tuscany. I still recommend staying at least a night to get the full Lucca experience, but if you only have a few hours (or 1 day) to see Lucca, this is what you should see and do!

In Lucca!  Walking shoes are recommended.

ARRIVAL IN LUCCA

Most people will arrive in Lucca via its only train station. The train station is small and located a short 5-minute walk from Lucca’s old town, which is the heart of the city and where you want to be!  Once you get off the train, follow signs for the exit and leave the train station (there is a ramp to the right side of the station if you need it). Walk to the left side of the train station (with your back to the station) and you can literally walk a straight line to Lucca’s town walls. If you make this straight walk, there is an entry into the old town here. I do not think most people need a taxi, as the walk is short and easy.

Arriving in Lucca. The main station building is straight ahead. It’s safe and there is assistance inside the main building if you need help.  To access the main station building, there is an underground walkway.

Lucca’s incredible old town walls. The little walkway to the right is the walkway I mentioned to the train station.

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2 Days Exploring Lucca, Tuscany!

This post reviews Dan and my two-day visit to Lucca in September 2024. This was our second visit to Lucca  (read about the first here) and as expected, we had a wonderful time.

Lucca’s famous towers, which were formerly owned by wealthy families showing off.

LUCCA, TUSCANY

Lucca is a small city in Tuscany – about an hour inland from the Ligurian Sea and about an hour west of Florence. Lucca is a popular day trip from Florence, and its known for its well-preserved historic center that is surrounded by amazing town walls that you can walk or bike along. Lucca is also the birthplace of several famous composers, including Puccini (the most famous), Catalani and Boccherini.

Lucca, Italy.

Aside from being generally popular with tourists, Lucca is also the hometown of Dan’s great-grandmother, Ida Poli. We first visited back in 2015 and returned in 2024 with Dan’s uncle and aunt. We really like Lucca. While it can be touristy, it is still a real Italian town and it’s not nearly as touristy or crowded as Florence or Cinque Terre. We stayed overnight both visits, which I recommended over a day trip to fully enjoy the city.

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Lucca, Italy: Delicious Food, Tuscan Scenery and Few(er) Tourists

Lucca is a walled city in Tuscany, just over the border from Liguaria (home to the Cinque Terre).  It is also quite close to Pisa and Florence.  I visited here after spending a few nights in the Cinque Terre.  It is also the hometown of Dan’s grandmother’s maternal family!  I found Lucca to have a young feel, lots of great photo ops and not too many American tourists (although there were many Italian tourists!).  Lucca would make a great stop for those looking to stay in a town in Tuscany, but over Florence and Sienna, or those wanting to see Pisa but not stay overnight there (I’ve done that and it is not the most interesting place).

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of Lucca?  Lots!  Here are my top five:

  1. Bicycling on the Town Walls – My # 1 highlight of Lucca was, surprisingly, bicycling on the town walls.  Lucca’s town walls are larger than those of any other walled-cities that I have visited and the city has turned it into a public park – an old school High Line of sorts!  You can bike or walk, and everyone is doing it!  We rented bikes from Biciclette Poli, which is close to the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, at a very reasonable cost.  You rent by the hour and pay when you return.  Bicycling was really easy, but note that no one was wearing a helmet!
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The town walls

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