Whether you have been there before or if you have only seen the photos, we can immediately recognize it: a monumental red dome that rises above a sea of ocher -colored buildings, spans a winding river through a medieval bridge and gold sunsets.
Florence is like something straight from a fairy taleAnd it is no wonder that, for some, Rome even rises as their favorite Italian city.
There is only one problem with Florence that cannot be ignored that easily.
No matter how beautiful it is, it can be seriously busy-we talk for months booked museums, long waiting lines in the wine window and wading through a mass of bodies in Piazza del Duomo.
What she not However, you say that you can still suck all the culture and enjoy the idyllic atmosphere of Tuscany without The sight of crowds, as long as you are willing to enter the beaten track. Habit Journey Readers, Lucca is a story as old as time:
A fairytale medieval city through a river
Lucca held the green Serchio River and completely surrounded by intact walls from the Renaissance era, is a smaller Tuscan city with About 89,000 inhabitantsAbout an hour away from Florence by train.
Despite the proximity of and easy access of the capital of Tuscany, one of the most over-tourist places on the pond, Lucca remains protected against mass tourism. That does not mean that it does not get tourists, far from that, but compared to Florence it feels like an untouched oasis.
Although it is grow rapidly In popularity, after he had registered 171,000 arrivals so far in 2025, that is still a drop in the ocean of the usual Van Florence 15 million a year.
It may not have a Brunelleschi -Koepel to his name, nor a subtly sculpted Michelangelo master work, but his countless medieval monuments and rich gastronomy Leave nothing to be desired Compared to Florence’s:
Small, but powerful
The historic center of Lucca may be small compared to Florence, which is about 2 times larger, but you would be surprised by how many orientation points you can cram here in a single Sightseeing day, starting with Piazza dell’anfiteatro.
Lucca’s main square, and the most important meeting point, is An elliptical square built directly on top of an old Roman amphitheater. That is cool enough as it is, but wait for you to see all the beautiful, pastel -colored buildings, cozy cafés and boutique shops that around it.
Again, you won’t find a striking red dome that dominates Lucca’s skyline, but in place there is an equally impressive Catedrale di San Martino. Wherever you are in the walled city, you just can’t miss it: just look for the rising tower of the white tip.
It is also home to Volo Santoor holy face, one Eight foot high old wooden carving of Jesus That arrived at Lucca in the year 782 advertisement.
Although its origin is disputed, medieval legends state that it was made by none other than Nicodemus, who helped St. Joseph of Arimathea when laying Christ at his resting place after the crucifixion.
Epic view and lush gardens
Speaking of a walled city, the Mura di Lucca Is an attraction in itself. Built during the Renaissance, they completely surround the city and offer a view of the medieval cityscape, and the trees-interested promenade ensures a pleasant walk after lunch.
Looking for another epic point of view? Make sure you look at Torre Ginigi, a medieval tower that is famous for the oak That almost miraculously grows at the top.
Lucca’s most beautiful green area, on the other hand, is not on top of the tower, but within the borders of Palazzo Pfanner. For only € 10, or about $ 12, you can walk through the lush, most dreamy landscaped autumn gardens, or Frescoot 17th-century rooms with menstrual furniture.
Then of course there is Lucca’s never-ending list of small medieval churches, from San Michele in Foro, with his complicated facade decorated with angels and mythological creatures, to San Frediano, a 6th-century religious site with an unusually large ascension of Christ Mosaic and much more.
The best part? You can explore all of this, minus The disturbing sight of 40-plus people tour groupsClout-Chasing Instagrammers and the pickpockets of Florence.
Where to eat in Lucca
As you can see, there is enough to keep you busy on a day out in Lucca, but wait, we have not even had to discuss the food yet!
Here are some of our favorite Italian restaurants in Lucca, what they serve and how much you should expect to pay:
Lucca
Come to Lucca this fall, are the nearest airports to fly in:
- Pisa International Airport (PSA) – 30 minutes away
- Florence Airport (FLR) – 1 hour 10 minutes away
If you are already in Italy, and you are approaching Lucca by train, that’s it A short 1 -hour train journey from Florence. One-way tickets cost $ 10- $ 12, with trains that walk around every 30 minutes from Firenze SMN (Santa Maria Novella Station) to Lucca Station.
From Pisa it is an even shorter 25-30 minute train and tickets are as cheap as $ 4. If you get from further away, such as Rome, you first have to jump on the fast train to Florence or Pisa (1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 17 minutes, $ 40- $ 60) and then switch to the regional train to Lucca.
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