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City and comune in Tuscany, Italy
Photo: Myrabella, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lucca is a city of some 90,000 people (2017) in Lucca province of Tuscany. Its long history goes back to Etruscan and Ancient Roman times, and the city retains pieces of ancient architecture. Lucca's heyday was in the Gothic era just before the Renaissance, and the city contains much marvelous architecture from that era. Lucca remained an independent city state until the end of the 18th century. Giacomo Puccini, one of the best-known opera composers, was born in Lucca, and his house is visited by many opera-lovers every year.
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You can walk or cycle on top of the ancient city walls. The entire perimeter is approximately 4 km. This gives a good introduction to the city layout. Expect crowds in the summer months.
A former Roman amphitheatre, but the remains of the amphitheatre are gone. The houses there are of medieval origin, built where the spectator stands were.
Romanesque cathedral dating to 14th century. Contains the must-see Volto Santo and Ilaria del Carretto's Sarcophagus by Jacopo della Quercia (as of May 2014 you have to pay an additional €4 to see this). Includes a sculpture of the crucifixion attributed to an eyewitness, Nicodemus. Some interesting carvings in the marble exterior, including a labyrinth.
This is a tower with trees atop it, a very dramatic sight, with good views of the city. No lift, many stairs.
Ancient clock tower with original clock still working. It is possible to go upstairs in this tower for a beautiful view of the city and a good perspective of Fillungo street. Great views of Torre Guinigi's trees. No lift.
This was Puccini's birthplace and is now a museum about the composer.
Main street full of shops and bars.
Preserved rooms formerly inhabited by the Pfanner family, as well as a pleasant garden. Also on display, some 19th-century medical equipment.
Lucca's largest square. Contains the large Palazzo Ducale, now a government building.
Remains of an old Roman home, have been partially excavated, and may be seen at via Cesare Battisi 15 (at via San Giorgio).
Bagni di Lucca lies between the Appenine Mountains giving a semblance of a climatic mountain resort despite its 152 meters above sea level, perfectly integrated by the River Lima and Serchio, from which the Valley takes its name, can be considered an oasis of peace and serenity.
An opera festival dedicated to Puccini, staging all his best-loved works. It is held July to August in Torre del Lago on the coast near Lucca.
A series of concerts by major international rock stars, held annually end of June into July. It's not like a "greenfield" rock festival with concentrated venue, time-span and mud. Most events are in Piazza Napoleone in the old town centre. Standing-room tickets are available, these are released separately as each act confirms their dates.
The largest comic book and gaming festival in Europe, held in the long week-end around November 1, a national holiday in Italy. It includes many events, guests and open-air market stands around the city centre, and the city is full with cosplayers in colourful costumes.
A spa town in the Lima valley with natural hot springs and steam grottoes, in use since the Middle Ages and fashionable with English and Russian visitors in the 19th century. The valley is also used for rafting, packrafting and canyoning between spring and autumn, and marked trails lead up into the wooded hills towards the Apuan Alps. It makes a straightforward day trip from Lucca.
Fairly typical Tuscan cuisine with some Luccan touches (e.g. pine nuts). The menu is only in Italian. Vegetarian friendly. Reservations are a good idea or arrive around 19:00.
If you happen to have a car, do check out this pizzeria, just ten minutes drive outside of town, it's worth. The owners come from Calabria, so you are likely to find all kinds of spicy salami, olives, mushrooms on top of your pizza. A different meal, served by distracted waitresses. Beware: You can't have your espresso coffee there. Being asked for coffees, the old owner used to reply: "Yeah, go get that at La Cubana", which is a bar downtown. Oh, and you can't make reservations: Be there by 19:00.
Strolling along the Torre Guinigi (the one with trees on top), you'll probably sniff some irresistible oily and flory smell. It's called focaccia, the Lucchese idea of a snack.
It is practically hidden on via San Giorgio and one of the best restaurants. With a constantly changing menu and an extensive wine list.
Enjoys a high reputation for local dishes prepared in the traditional Lucchesi style.
Offering wonderful Lucchesi cuisine, attentive staff and a delightful terrace overlooking the square.
3-star with only 5 rooms, and on the second floor with no lift, this place is charming nonetheless. In old town centre.
B&B in a historic building. First floor has a lounge and a double room with a patio. The second floor houses a brightly lit and spacious breakfast room with computer and internet access, terrace is on the third floor.
Four-star hotel set in the 18th-century Villa Banchieri in the countryside east of the city.
In rolling countryside east of Lucca, hotel has two suites, five rooms and three apartments all stylishly and originally furnished. The restaurant has a main kitchen with a wood oven and barbeque and two spacious dining areas. With swimming pool.
Small family-run hotel within the walled town, a few steps from Piazza Anfiteatro and the main shopping street. Each room is decorated with a fresco on a floral theme, which continues into the bathroom. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and well-equipped. The breakfasts are excellent – as are the quirky egg-cups and ceramic coffee beakers. The staff are very friendly, helpful and professional.
Large house with a garden, dating back to 1700. Four guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, 300 m from entrance to old town.
Clean friendly B&B. Capannori is straggly ribbon-development along the Lucca road, good if you're coming by car.
Hotel Ilaria is a 4-star hotel in the historical center of Lucca, right in the old town walls. Rooms and suites are wide and comfortable. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast and complimentary bar corner with drinks and snacks available for guests all day long. The panoramic terrace has a jacuzzi for 8 people.
Boutique hotel and historical residence in the heart of the old town. Closed for much of Nov & Dec.
formerly Locanda L'Elisa
Five-star hotel 2 km south of Lucca in an 1800s Tuscan Villa.With ten quiet and cozy rooms, restaurant, garden, swimming-pool and free parking.
A decent wine and liquor store. One could spend some time poking around the four cellar rooms.
By plane
Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA) is 2 km south of Pisa. Flights from most large cities are available daily, and from major airports several per day.
By train
The railway station is just south of the old town walls. Deposit luggage at the Tourist Center just outside.
By bus
The main local operator is Viabus, with regular runs to Pisa, Florence and Barga. The bus station is at Piazzale Verdi, just inside the walls west side of the old town.
By car
Driving inside the walls is mostly reserved to residents, so park your car (there are car parks outside the walls and a couple inside, accessible by non-residents) and rent a bike.
By bike: hardly necessary for the old city, but helpful if you've edge of town accommodation. Hire bikes from the Tourist Center at the railway station.
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