Is Visiting Lucca Worth it? Why Lucca is One of the Best Towns in Tuscany (2023)

FAQs

Is Lucca in Tuscany worth visiting? ›

The medieval cityscape is well preserved, so you can stroll through Lucca's picturesque alleyways, across impressive squares and past beautiful sights. In short: Anyone longing to visit a picture-perfect Italian town will love Lucca.

Lucca is blessed with a rich and diverse array of historical buildings, such as the 45m (125ft) romanesque-gothic Torre Guinigi – notable for its oak tree-clad rooftop and 232 steps. As well as the city's medieval skyscrapers, it's demarcated by 13th-century city gates like the chunky Porta San Donato.

Lucca is known throughout Italy for its fantastic medieval city walls that still encircle most of the historic old town. Originally this city was founded by the Etruscans and was then a Roman colony around 180 BC. During the Roman era, Lucca served as an important meeting place for Julius Caesar and Crassus.

Even though you only need one day to take in Lucca's sights, don't assume there isn't much to see in this fascinating Tuscan city. Quite the opposite actually, it's just that the city's historic center is so compact that none of the best places to visit in Lucca are all that far apart.

Lucca is quieter, smaller easier to get around and has a more small town feel. It does have some great medieval art, as Ruskin noted. Siena is also more central and a good base for visiting the sights of central Tuscany, like Chianti or San Gim. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Planning Your Visit

Lucca is infinitely more laid-back and less touristy than some other Tuscan cities, yet still very lively and cultured, making it a great alternative, especially in the peak summer season.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lucca and Livorno, we can see that Livorno is more expensive. And not only is Lucca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lucca would let you spend less money overall.

In fact, the walled city in Lucca is almost entirely a pedestrian zone. It is really easy and convenient to get around on foot. And a walking tour is also the best way to enjoy the most iconic spots the city has to offer and the atmosphere of this destination to the utmost.

An April - June visit is ideal, and there is little rain during that period. Lucca is quite pleasant in fall, even late fall when the chance of rain is increased, as the chestnut roasters come out and the city becomes pleasantly sparse of tourists.

How do you spend a day in Lucca? ›

Lucca is one of the larger cities in Tuscany and is often overlooked in favour of her more famous neighbours – Florence, Pisa and Siena. In fact, it is so close to these popular destinations that I consider it a perfect base for exploring Tuscany.

Siena is a good base in Tuscany since it's situated in the center of the region. You can easily access the Chianti region, Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano, not to mention Arezzo and Cortona to the east and Umbria in the south-east.

San Gimignano is one of the most famous small towns in Tuscany and one of the most beautiful.

Experience this 2.7-mile loop trail near Lucca, Tuscany. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 59 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Pisa and Lucca are perfect for two days off from Florence discovering more about what Tuscany has to offer. They are very easy to reach and you can also combine them in one single day if you need to optimize time in your busy schedule.

Lucca is a town that is easily accessible by foot or by bike. In fact, it's common for locals to travel this way. There are also a series of small buses available to take you around the historic area easily.

San Gimignano is a tricky one to reach, unfortunately. Lucca is slightly easier, but I personally find Lucca better if you are in the mood for an escape from the heat and the "madding crowds," none of which you are lightly to encounter in December! Easiest of all to visit, of course, is Pisa!

What is the most luxurious place in Italy? ›

Tuscany's best travel months (also its busiest and most expensive) are April, May, June, September, and October. These months combine the convenience of peak season with pleasant weather. June is especially festive in the area, with parades, dances, and games in Florence for the feast of St.

Padua Italy, known as Padova in Italian, has to be one of the loveliest of all Italian cities.

Positano, Campania

Many travelers, as well as Italians, consider Positano the gem of Italy's Amalfi Coast with its beaches and azure Mediterranean water, and rank it as one of the absolute best Italian seaside towns.

The historic city centre is small and is closed to traffic, so you can visit it on foot or by bicycle. For those coming by car, there are numerous car parks both outside the walls and along the wall path, connected to the historical centre by buses and shuttles.

How many days do you need in Tuscany. While you can see the main cities in 3-4 days, I recommend at least one week for Tuscany. This will allow you to see not just all the highlights of the best towns of Tuscany, but also to get a glimpse of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Although the views in Tuscany are second-to-none in Europe, driving can be a little challenging. The country roads are narrow and winding, so take into consideration that short distances can take longer to drive than you might imagine. The speed limit on these roads is between 50 and 70km/h.

Where to stay in Tuscany if you dont have a car? ›

The best bases to move around in Tuscany without a car are definitely the central cities or located along the railway line between Florence-Pisa, Florence-Lucca, Florence-Arezzo or Florence-Siena that will make your travels easier and allow you to reach the most places in Tuscany.

Between mid-September and mid-October, the temperatures are pleasantly warm, but it can rain, especially in the north and center of the country. November is typically a rainy month throughout Italy, even though the sun still shines quite often in the south.

Italy has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you're a sunseeker the best time to visit Italy is between June and September. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 24 C and an average low of 17 C.

THE TUSCAN CLIMATE

Spring (April and May) and Autumn (October and November) are milder and rainier, but there are still plenty of dry, sunny days. Winter can still have some sunny days but is usually wetter and colder, especially at night. July and August are the hottest months.

Both parking and driving within the city walls of Lucca are severely limited. There are three types of parking spaces, denoted by the color of paint on the pavement: Blue spaces.

On average you can expect a trip to Italy to cost €70-295 per person per day (around $74 to $310 USD).

Instead of Italy, visit Healdsburg, California

With its undulating hills and abundance of vineyards and wineries, the Northern California town of Healdsburg looks strikingly similar to Tuscany.

If you wish to visit towns and villages beyond the most popular destinations of Florence, Pisa and Siena, then a car is almost a necessity. The Chianti hills, the Val d'Orcia, Maremma, Casentino and hilltop villages in these areas in Tuscany are almost impossible to visit depending solely on public transportation.

Both Lucca and Siena were a little more intimate and relaxed than Florence, especially at night, although Florence was fantastic. Either way try to visit all of these places as each is worth the effort. If you want to visit all three, then Florence is the best base because it has easy access to the other two.

What is the most central town to stay in Tuscany? ›

Chianti, best area to stay in Tuscany for wine and vineyards. Located within the center of Tuscany, Chianti isn't just a beautiful region of Italy.

The best way to get around Tuscany is either by bus or train. Trains easily connect the larger cities of northern Tuscany, including Florence, Pistoria, Lucca and Livorno.

Florence is the main and biggest city, right at the heart of Tuscany. A symbol of beauty and artistic excellence, it attracts visitors from all over the globe with its gorgeous Cathedral and famous Dome designed by Brunelleschi.

Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, artistic legacy, and its influence on high culture. It is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and of the foundations of the Italian language.

Tuscany is one of the most famous and prolific wine regions anywhere in Europe. It is best known for its Sangiovese-based dry red wines - which dominate output. These include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Lucca is quieter, smaller easier to get around and has a more small town feel. It does have some great medieval art, as Ruskin noted. Siena is also more central and a good base for visiting the sights of central Tuscany, like Chianti or San Gim. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Lucca is the better city, even though the Campo dei Miracoli in Pisa is one one of the seven wonders of the world!

1. Florence or Firenze in Tuscany. Always at the top of the most beautiful places in Italy list, Florence has it all, from world famous museums to glorious architecture. It's the city for the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio and also home to celebrated museums, historic markets and magnificent gardens.

Lucca is a town that is easily accessible by foot or by bike. In fact, it's common for locals to travel this way. There are also a series of small buses available to take you around the historic area easily.