Lucca: The Complete Guide

Staying inside the city walls provides the best experience, with charming boutique hotels and guesthouses close to historic piazzas, the Guinigi Tower, and the Roman amphitheater. For a quieter stay, accommodations in the Tuscan countryside nearby offer scenic vineyard views and easy access to Lucca by bike or car.

A 2 to 3-day stay is ideal for exploring Lucca’s historic sites, walking along the city walls, and enjoying its local cuisine. A 4-day stay allows for day trips to Pisa, the Garfagnana region, or the Tuscan coast.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Lucca. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

The best time to visit Lucca, Italy, largely depends on what you’re looking for in your visit. Each season offers unique attractions and experiences.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Lucca. The weather is mild, and the surrounding Tuscan countryside is lush and vibrant, perfect for outdoor activities like cycling around Lucca’s famous city walls or exploring the nearby hills. The tourist crowds are also thinner compared to the peak summer months. Events such as the Verdemura Garden Festival in April showcase local gardening and botanical arts, making it a colorful time to visit.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is the busiest and most vibrant season. The weather can be quite hot, especially in July and August, but this is also when Lucca comes alive with numerous events and festivals. The most notable is the Lucca Summer Festival, which attracts international music acts and large crowds. If you enjoy a lively atmosphere and don’t mind the heat, summer is a great time to visit.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is another excellent time to visit Lucca. The temperatures begin to cool, and the crowds start to thin out. The city celebrates several food and wine festivals, offering a taste of Tuscany’s seasonal bounty. The landscape turns into a picturesque blend of orange and yellow hues, ideal for photography and leisurely walks. Additionally, in late October to early November, Lucca hosts one of Europe’s largest comic book and gaming conventions, Lucca Comics & Games, which is a major draw for fans of the genres.

One of the most significant religious festivals of the year in Lucca is the “La Luminara di Santa Croce,” which takes place on the 13th of September. This festival is dedicated to the Volto Santo, a wooden crucifix with a legendary origin in the Holy Land. The highlight of the festival is a traditional candlelight procession through the Old Town. The procession commences at 8 PM, starting from the Basilica of San Frediano and culminating at the Cathedral of San Martino, where the Volto Santo is housed.

Winter (December to February)

Winter in Lucca is the quietest season, which might appeal if you prefer a more peaceful visit. The weather is typically mild compared to northern European cities, though it can be damp. This season offers the chance to experience Lucca without the crowds, allowing for a more relaxed exploration of its historical sites and museums. Christmas markets and festive decorations add a charming touch to the city in December.

Overall, the best times to visit Lucca are during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant, and the city offers a blend of cultural activities without the peak season crowds.

Lucca is easily accessible both by car and public transportation due to its strategic location on the main highways and railroad lines connecting Florence to Pisa and Viareggio.

Flying to Lucca

Lucca does not have its own airport, so direct flights to Lucca are not available. However, the closest airports to Lucca are Pisa Airport, which is the most convenient option, followed by Florence, Bologna, Rome, and Genoa, in that order. Pisa Airport is the most popular choice for flights to Lucca from within Europe, while Rome is the most likely arrival airport for visitors from the US and Canada.

Visiting Lucca By Train

The train is a convenient and straightforward way to reach Lucca. The Lucca train station is located in Piazza Ricasoli, right in front of Porta San Pietro. It’s within a five-minute walk to Lucca’s historic city center, enclosed by Renaissance walls. Lucca is connected to the train lines that link Florence to Viareggio and Florence (or Pistoia) to Pisa, ensuring regular daily train service to and from Lucca. Pisa is about a 15-20 minute train ride from Lucca, Florence is an hour and 20 minutes away, and Viareggio is around 20 minutes. Other popular Tuscan destinations accessible from Lucca by train include Pistoia (approximately 45 minutes away) and Montecatini Terme (less than half an hour). Daily trains also head to Garfagnana from Lucca.

From Pisa Airport, you can catch a train to Pisa Centrale station and then change for a train to Lucca. From Florence Airport, you need to reach the train station in Florence center (Santa Maria Novella) and then take a train or bus heading to Lucca.

Visiting Lucca By Car

Lucca is situated along the A11 Firenze – Mare highway, which links Florence with Pisa and the Versilia Coast. If approaching from the North or South, take the A11 and exit at Lucca Est or Ovest. If arriving from the coast on the A12 Genova – Roma highway, connect at Viareggio and then proceed to Lucca Ovest via the faster road known as Bretella. Be aware that tolls apply on A11 and A12. If coming from the Pisa or Florence airports, follow the indications to A11 in both cases. Lucca’s highway exits are located approximately 1 km from the city center.

Visiting Lucca by Bus

The bus station is located in Piazzale Verdi, inside the city walls. Lucca is connected to several Tuscan cities, including Florence, Pisa, and Viareggio, via bus operated by VaiBus. While bus rides may take longer than trains, they are available as an alternative to get to Lucca.

Renting a Bike in Lucca

Whether you arrive by train or bus, you can opt to explore Lucca on foot or rent a bike. The city is known for being bike-friendly, with many bike-reserved areas throughout. It’s a great way to navigate the small and flat city. Renting a bike can be convenient if you’re short on time. Lucca is renowned for its well-preserved Renaissance walls, and biking atop them offers stunning views. You’ll find plenty of rental bike shops, especially near the access points to the ramparts, offering affordable hourly and daily rates. Two famous historical rental bike shops are located inside Porta Santa Maria, with others near Porta San Pietro and along the way from Porta Elisa toward the centre (after the old Porta San Gervasio).