A treasure fortified by Renaissance walls, Lucca is one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany. Located just one hour and 20 minutes from Florence by train it’s the perfect destination for a day trip. So to get the most out of your outing, we put together this list of top things to do on your Lucca day trip from Florence.
Stroll the walls of Lucca
The Renaissance walls of Lucca are some of the few in all of Europe that are completely preserved. Not only that, the surrounding area is now a beautiful modern park. We recommend taking a stroll or a bike ride around the park while admiring this 17th-century architectural feat. Encapsulated within the walls are small museums where you can discover interesting curiosities about the history of the city. You can also go up the walks’ 12 meters high walk from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city.
Visit the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro
As its name indicates, this square is located where a Roman amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century AD once stood. It still has the distinctive oval shape of a classic Roman amphitheater and clearly stands out in Lucca’s landscape. Piazza del Anfiteatro is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city today and with reason. While some of the original walls are preserved, many of the remains were incorporated into more modern buildings. Today they host a variety of bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. This means you can dive into the Roman history of Lucca as well as enjoy an aperitif on one of the terraces on sunny days and soak in the unique atmosphere.
Climb the Guinigi or Clock Towers
The Guinigi and Clock Towers are the city’s two civic towers – and the tallest. Climbing one of them is one of our favorite things to do during a visit to Lucca. Both offer spectacular views of the city from its top while learning about its history and mystical legends.
The Guinigi Tower belonged to one of the most powerful families in Lucca. Today it is one of the city’s symbols because, at the top, it has trees over a hundred years old. This unique phenomenon makes the Guinigi Tower a visitor favorite.
The Clock Tower (Torre delle Ore) is the tallest in the city. In it, you can see how the clock mechanism works. In addition to the 360 vistas of the city, the top of the tower also offers an undisturbed view of the Guinigi tower. So if you have to choose one of the towers, we recommend visiting the Clock Tower.
Visit Duomo San Martino
Duomo San Martino is a Roman Gothic-style church built in 1603. This is the most important in Lucca, and its name is in honor of San Martin, of whom a beautiful legend is told. According to the legend, on a cold night, Martin cut his cloak in half to share it with a beggar. That night, he dreamed that Jesus himself was clothed with the torn cloak. When he awoke, the garment was restored.
One of the things that makes this cathedral so unique is what’s inside. It is the home of the Volto Santo di Lucca (Holy Face of Lucca). This is a sculpture of the crucifixion of Jesus made by Saint Nicodemus, one of his disciples. It is said that this is the most similar image to Jesus since it was created by someone who knew him.
Try Local Food at Trattoria Da Giulio
One of the best things to do when you visit a destination is to try its local food. Through it, you can get to know its history and culture. For example, one of the best places to try the traditional food of Lucca is the Trattoria Da Giulio, which has been serving exquisite local dishes for over 70 years. We recommend trying delicious local specialties such as Tortelli al ragù (stuffed pasta), Mattufi (Polenta with a meat sauce), or Panzanella (Bread-based salad).
Visit the Puccini Museum
Another of Lucca’s claims to fame is that Italian composer Giacomo Puccini was born here. Fans will love the Puccini Museum (Corte San Lorenzo, 9), where you can see the costumes of his most famous operas, his correspondence with his family, and his original family furniture and instruments.
Insider’s Tip: Prefer a quick Puccini photo opp? There is also a steel sculpture of the composer in the Plaza de la Cittadella, where the museum is located.
Stroll through the city
Each corner of Lucca is even more beautiful than the last, making it the perfect city to get lost in. On a tour of the town, you can find many churches, among the most important: San Michele, San Frediano, and San Francesco.
Lucca also boasts beautiful squares like Piazza Napoleone (where Palazzo Ducale is located) and Piazza San Michele. Last, but not least, don’t miss lively streets such as Via Fillungo, a shopping street filled with stores (and great opportunities for people watching!).
