8 Wonderful Things To Do In Lucca, Italy

Looking for things to do in Lucca? This Tuscan gem is one of Italy’s most charming small cities, best known for its well-preserved historic center surrounded by Renaissance walls.

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Why Visit Lucca, Italy?

Inside the walls, Lucca is easy to explore on foot. Here you’ll find pretty piazzas, Romanesque churches, narrow streets full of character, and a great mix of history, restaurants, cafés, and small local shops.

Lucca is a perfect destination for a relaxed day trip or even a half-day visit, though staying two or three days gives you time to slow down and really enjoy the city.

Thanks to its location, Lucca fits easily into a Tuscany trip and combines well with nearby destinations like Florence, Pisa, or even the Cinque Terre, making it a simple and rewarding stop along the way.

8 Wonderful Things To Do In Lucca

Here are some of my best ideas on wonderful things to do in Lucca, whether you’re visiting for a day, half a day, or longer. Enjoy!

1. Admire Mura di Lucca: Lucca’s historic walls

Walking along the Mura di Lucca is a highlight of visiting the city. Built between the mid-1600s and early 1800s, these impressive walls – whose origins trace back to Roman times – are uniquely still completely intact and encircle Lucca for 4.2 kilometers. Today, they form a peaceful, tree-lined promenade with bastions, benches, fountains, and multiple gates leading into the heart of the old town.

ℹ️ More information: VisitTuscany.com

2. See Duomo di San Martino – Lucca Cathedral

Visiting the Duomo di San Martino is one of the essential things to do in Lucca, thanks to its striking architecture and rich history. Overlooking a beautiful piazza, the cathedral was originally founded in the 6th century and later rebuilt in the 11th century, with construction continuing for centuries.

Its Romanesque façade, inspired by Pisa Cathedral and adorned with colorful marble, is a true highlight, while the atmospheric Gothic interior houses remarkable artworks, including pieces by Ghirlandaio and Tintoretto.

📍 Location: Duomo di San Martino
ℹ️ More information: VisitTuscany.com

3. Visit Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is one of the most charming and unforgettable spots in Lucca – and easily one of my favorite places in the city. Built on the ruins of a Roman amphitheater from the 1st or 2nd century AD, its distinctive elliptical shape and colorful buildings give it a truly unique feel. Lined with cute shops and inviting restaurants, it’s a must-see stop and a perfect place to slow down and soak up the atmosphere of Lucca.

📍Location: Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

4. See Lucca from above

If there’s one Lucca regret I have, it’s not seeing the city from above. I’m obsessed with viewpoints in every destination I visit, and somehow missed it here – so please learn from my mistake and make it a priority. Medieval Lucca once had hundreds of towers, but today only a 8-9 remain, the most famous with the most famous being Torre Guinigi and Torre delle Ore.

Torre Guinigi is the one I found most fascinating: a 44-meter Romanesque-Gothic tower built in the 1300s, topped with oak trees that feel straight out of a Disney movie. Torre delle Ore is another great option—the city’s clock tower and the tallest remaining tower in Lucca at 50 meters. For a different perspective, the bell tower (campanile) of the Duomo di San Martino also offers beautiful views over the historic center.

📍 Location: Torre Guinigi / Torre delle Ore / Duomo di San Martino
ℹ️ More information: Click here

5. Try the local cuisine

Enjoying the local food scene is one of the most rewarding things to do in Lucca. The city is full of welcoming restaurants, and its location gives the cuisine a mix of Tuscan meat dishes, fresh seafood from the coast, and Ligurian touches like pesto and focaccia. You can try classics such as Fiorentina steak or pasta with wild boar or rabbit, then keep it simple with pizza or a scoop of gelato to end the day.

Restaurants to check out in Lucca:
🧑‍🍳 Pizzeria Fuori di Piazza by Piazza Napoleone for great pizza
🧑‍🍳 Da Quartuccio Osteria for a local experience
🧑‍🍳 Trattoria da Nonna Clara is great for pasta
🧑‍🍳 Buca di Sant’Antonio for vegetarian and gluten free options

6. Shop Local Crafts

Shopping in Lucca is a relaxed and enjoyable way to explore the city, and it easily earns a spot on any list of things to do in Lucca. As you wander the narrow cobblestone streets, you will find plenty of small shops selling leather bags, belts and wallets, often high quality at reasonable prices. There are also local crafts like ceramics, jewellery and handmade chocolate, along with wine, olive oil and other regional foods that make great souvenirs.

📍 Where to shop in Lucca: The main shopping streets are Via Fillungo, Via Santa Lucia and Via Buia, where you can browse everything from traditional goods to modern boutiques.

7. Admire The ‘100’ Churches of Lucca

Lucca’s nickname as the City of 100 Churches becomes clear the moment you start wandering its streets. Beyond the impressive Lucca Cathedral (mentioned above), you will find a surprising number of historic churches tucked into small squares and quiet corners. Many date back to the Middle Ages, each with its own style and story, which makes simply walking around and stepping inside a few of them an easy and enjoyable way to experience the city’s past.

Some highlights include:
⛪ Basilica Di San Frediano
⛪ Chiesa di San Salvatore in Mustolio
⛪ Chiesa di Santa Maria Foris Portam
⛪ San Michele in Foro

8. Take a day trip to Pisa

Located only a short drive or train ride away, Pisa is an easy and worthwhile addition to your time in Lucca. A day trip or even a half day is enough to see the highlights, and it is absolutely worth going. The Leaning Tower might be the global icon, but Pisa has much more to offer once you arrive, from its grand cathedral and baptistery to lively streets, river views and a relaxed local atmosphere that makes the visit feel far richer than the famous tilt alone.

Related post: Why you’ll hate visiting Pisa

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