First Timer’s Guide to Lucca Italy: What to See, Eat & Do in 1–3 Days

If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a medieval city wrapped in Renaissance walls, then Lucca Italy should be at the top of your list.

Nestled in Tuscany, this charming, historic town offers a peaceful yet culturally rich experience that’s often overlooked by first-timers traveling through Italy.

I spent two months in Lucca while I attended the Lucca Italian Language School. It was the perfect Italian town to spend the summer as it is walkable and easy to get to from the surrounding cities.

Here is my first-timer’s guide to visiting Lucca if you only have a few days!

Key Takeaways

• Plan for 1–3 days to see Lucca’s top sights, towers, and gardens.
• Bike the walls, hear Puccini, and enjoy Lucchese dishes.
• Arrive by train and explore the walkable, car-free center.

Getting to Know Lucca Italy + How to Get There

Lucca is located just 30 minutes from Pisa and 90 minutes from Florence by train.

The city is famous for its preserved Renaissance walls, which completely encircle the old town.

Unlike other Italian cities where walls are mostly ruins, here they’ve been transformed into a wide, tree-lined pedestrian and bike path.

Check the train schedules, as in the summer I visited, the direct line was not running from Florence to Lucca, so I had to transfer in Pisa. It was not much longer; it just wasn’t a direct train ride.

If you are coming from Pisa or Florence, check out my guide on how to get to Lucca.

Once you arrive, the best way to get around is on foot or by bike. Keep this in mind when you decide which luggage to bring.

Even with my two backpacks, it was an uphill walk and down a few steps from the train station to get to my accommodation.

Things to Do in Lucca Italy

If you are only planning a one-day visit or just spending the weekend, here are the highlights of things to do.

The map below includes the location of the train station (#1), the main attractions listed below, as well as a few restaurants to try during your first visit.

Map of Lucca Italy

Rent a Bike or Walk the Lucca Wall

Start your visit by renting a bike, or exploring on foot, and taking a lap around the 4-kilometer wall. It’s the perfect introduction to the layout of the city and offers sweeping views of Lucca’s rooftops and towers.

Several bike shops are near Porta Santa Maria (#2 on the map), and single bike rentals start at around €5 per hour.

If you’re traveling with friends or family, consider renting a group bike. These are four-person pedal carts with a roof, and cost around $20 per hour.

They’re a great way to cruise the wall together without splitting up.

Want to explore beyond the walls? You can take your bike to the Nottolini Aqueduct, located about 5 km (3 miles) south of the city.

It’s an easy 20–25 minute ride along quiet roads and countryside paths.

Climb Guinigi Tower

If you only have time for one panoramic view, climb the Guinigi Tower. It’s the one with the oak trees growing from the top, and yes, they are actual trees!

The climb is 230 steps to the top, and you’ll get a 360-degree view of the city’s terracotta roofs and surrounding hills.

Buy tickets in advance as they tend to sell out during the summer months.

• Address: Via Sant’Andrea, 45
• Admission: €5
• Ticket Website: Guinigi Tower Official Website

Explore Palazzo Pfanner

A hidden gem in the heart of Lucca, Palazzo Pfanner surprises with its exquisite Baroque garden and frescoed rooms. It’s quiet, elegant, and full of history dating back to the 17th century.

It is very small, and you can choose just to see the garden and not the house. However, the house is interesting as the owners were doctors, so you can see medical equipment from the 1800’s, as well as two decorated rooms.

If you want something to do for 30-60 minutes, this is a good option.

• Address: Via degli Asili, 33
• Admission: €7–€10
• Ticket Website: Palazzo Pfanner Official Website

Discover Puccini’s Legacy

Lucca is the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini, and music lovers can catch a live concert almost every night of the week.

Head to San Giovanni Church for the nightly Puccini and Opera concerts, a beautiful and intimate experience.

• Address: Chiesa dei Santi Giovanni e Reparata
• Admission: From €30 (no need to book in advance)
• Ticket Website: Puccini in Lucca Official Website

Window Shopping

Lucca is great for a bit of old-school window shopping. Stroll through Via Fillungo, the main shopping street, and pop into the small boutiques.

You’ll find linen clothing, handmade leather shoes, and stunning Italian porcelain. This Google Map location will show you the middle of the street.

Keep in mind that many of the stores are mom and pop, so they open and close as they please; there are no set hours.

Other Places of Interest in Lucca

• Domus Romana Lucca | Museo Archeologico a Lucca (Archaeological Museum Location)
• Puccini Museum (Buy tickets here)
• Lucca Torture Museum (Buy tickets here)

Where to Eat in Lucca: Local Lucchese Dishes You Have to Try

Lucchese cuisine is rustic, hearty, and packed with flavor. Look out for dishes like tordelli Lucchese (meat-filled pasta with ragu), farro soup, and zuppa di cavolo nero (Tuscan black kale soup).

Lucca is full of amazing places to eat, but these three stood out as my favorites. They also came highly recommended by my local Italian teacher 🙂

Osteria Baralla

A historic, wood-beamed eatery serving traditional Lucchese recipes just steps from the amphitheater. Try the tordelli or rabbit with olives.
Address: Via Anfiteatro, 5 Lucca (#6 on my map)
Price: €15–€25 per dish

Ristorante Mecenate

A cozy, contemporary spot that mixes tradition with creativity. The tordelli here are handmade and deeply flavorful, and the wine list features excellent Tuscan options.
Address: Via del Fosso, 94 (#7 on my map)
Price: €18–€30 per dish

Carbone

A traditional restaurant loved for its grilled meats and regional dishes like tagliata and fiorentina steak. This was my favorite meal in Lucca!
Address: Via San Paolino, 205 (#8 on my map)
Price: Expect mains in the €20–€35 range

Festivals and Events in Lucca

Lucca hosts some of Tuscany’s most exciting festivals, from music legends to comic book heroes.

Whether you’re visiting in summer or fall, check the events calendar as there’s often something special happening inside or just outside the city walls.

BeeRiver (June)

This craft‑beer festival runs for three days (typically around June 13–15) and features artisan breweries from across Italy, food trucks, live blues music, and tasting workshops.

Entry includes a tasting glass (refundable deposit) and tokens for samples. A 3‑token package is €10.

Website: BeeRiver Lucca Italy

Lucca Summer Festival (July)

This world-class event transforms the piazzas into open-air concert venues every July. Past performers include Elton John, Santana, and John Legend.

Book early if your visit overlaps, as tickets and accommodations go fast.

Ticket Website: Summer Festival Official Website

Lucca Comics & Games (October)

If you’re visiting in late October, this is Italy’s answer to Comic-Con. The city fills with cosplay, fantasy art, and events. Even if you’re not into comics, it’s a fun event to see (even without event tickets).

Ticket Website: Lucca Comics & Games Festival

Wineries Near Lucca

If you are visiting Lucca for more than one day, consider renting or hiring a car and driving to the countryside to visit one of the many wineries.

If you prefer not to drive, you can also book a private wine tour, which provides pick-up and drop-off at your location.

Many of the wineries offer a tasting of three to five wines, along with local food to try. My favorite was Fattoria Al Dotto. It was only $50 USD per person for 5 full glasses of wine and 5 shared plates of food in the middle of the summer!

Fattoria Al Dotto

Just 4.5 km (2.8 mi) uphill from Lucca, Fattoria Al Dotto offers guided tastings in air-conditioned or outdoor spaces, highlighting their Vermentino, Rosé, and estate-grown reds.

Tastings include olive oil and small plates, and visitors often mention the warm hospitality and scenic views.

• Cost: Prices range from €25– €50 per person, depending on group size and season.
• Website: fattoriaaldotto.it

Fattoria del Teso

Located 25 minutes east of Lucca, Fattoria del Teso offers guided vineyard tours through five distinct plots, a visit to their historic cellar, and a tasting of six wines paired with local cured meats, cheese, olive oil, and bread.

Cost: Tastings start at around €30 per person, with Vin Santo options available for an extra €10.
Website: fattoriadelteso.it

Tenuta Adamo

This family-run organic estate features guided tastings where you’ll sample five wines and olive oil, enjoy local breads and focaccia, and learn about their sustainable production processes.

Costs: Tastings cost €25 – €35.
Website: tenutaadamo.it

Advice On Where to Stay in Lucca

If you plan to spend the night and take the train into Lucca, I suggest staying inside the walls.

If you have a car, there are several free parking lots and side streets that surround the walls. If you don’t want to be far from your car, choose to stay outside the walls.

Keep in mind that several of the entry points into the walls are up hills, through a dark tunnel, and sometimes down stairs (see the images above)

If you have mobility issues or large suitcases, you may want to opt to hire a car to take you into the city center to avoid any issues. Use Lucca Taxi for your car service needs, as Uber is more difficult to get in Lucca.

Weather in Italy: Lucca Edition

Lucca has a mild Mediterranean climate. Summers (June to September) can be hot, with highs in the 80s°F (27–32°C).

Spring and fall are ideal, with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. Winters (November – February) are generally mild, but it can get rainy.

Cinema in Lucca

Want to catch a movie while in town? Lucca has several movie theaters, and during the summer, they offer an outdoor movie series as well.

To see the schedules, check the official Cinema Lucca website. In addition, you will see the movie times posted outside of buildings (see the picture above).

They play movies in their “original language” only once a week, typically on Sundays but not every week. I suggest going to the theaters and asking in person.

Bonus: My Favorite Lucca Spots

If you are staying for longer than a few days, here are a few of my favorite finds around town that helped me make my two-month stay in Lucca that much better!

• A hidden wine and whiskey cellar
• Cute bar that serves cold craft beer made in Lucca
• Themed restaurant (not for children) with amazing house red wine
• A restaurant with quick food and craft beer
• A tiny pastry shop with delicious treats
• Fresh Vegetarian and Vegan Buddha Bowls and Soups
• My go-to gelato spot with authentic flavors
• Smash burger place when you want a break from Italian food
• Fresh sushi and poke, sit down and take away
• Excellent and fresh sandwich shop (to die for)
• The least expensive supermarket for food
• A place to buy toilet paper and makeup
• Amazon pickup counter for quick deliveries
• Convenient laundromat with fast dryers

Extreme Sports Just Outside Lucca

Feeling adventurous? Head 45 minutes north to Bagni di Lucca, where you can go white-water rafting, ziplining, or canyoning.

It’s a change of pace from the calm streets of Lucca and totally worth the detour if you have time.

I use Get Your Guide to book excursions like this as they have an excellent cancellation policy and great reviews for all venues in the Lucca area.

Check out my full guide on Activities in Bagni di Lucca to help you choose which adventure to take!

Final Thoughts on Lucca Italy

Is Lucca worth visiting? Absolutely! Whether you have a single day or an entire week, Lucca delivers on charm, history, and that slow-living Italian vibe.

It’s less touristy than many other Tuscan towns, making it a perfect spot to unwind, eat well, and explore at your own pace.

If you’re planning your first visit to Lucca Italy, use my guide to help plan your trip. Any questions, contact me here!

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