Whether or not you’ve got been there earlier than otherwise you’ve solely seen the images, we will all immediately acknowledge it: a monumental purple dome rising above a sea of ocher-colored buildings, a winding river spanned by a medieval bridge, and golden sunsets.
Florence is like one thing straight out of a fairytale, and it is no surprise that, for some, it even outpeaks Rome as their favourite Italian metropolis.
There’s only one challenge with Florence that may’t be so simply ignored.
Attractive as it could be, it will possibly get significantly busy—we’re speaking booked-out museums for months, lengthy ready traces on the wine window, and wading by a mass of our bodies at Piazza del Duomo.
What they do not inform you, nonetheless, is that you could nonetheless take in all of the tradition and enjoy Tuscany’s idyllic ambiance with out the sight of crowds, if solely you are keen to tread off the overwhelmed path. For ordinary Journey Off Path readers, Lucca’s a story as previous as time:
A Fairytale Medieval Metropolis By A River
Lining the green-tinged Serchio River, and fully surrounded by intact Renaissance-era partitions, Lucca is a smaller Tuscan metropolis with round 89,000 inhabitants, roughly an hour away from Florence by practice.
Regardless of its proximity to and quick access from the capital of Tuscany, one of the over-touristed spots throughout the pond, Lucca stays protected against mass tourism. That is to not say it would not get vacationers, removed from that, however in comparison with Florence, it appears like an untouched oasis.
Although it’s growing fast in recognition, having registered 171,000 arrivals in 2025 to date, that is nonetheless a drop within the ocean of Florence’s standard 15 million-a-year.
It could not have a Brunelleschi dome to its title, nor a carefully sculpted Michelangelo masterpiece of its personal, however its myriad of medieval monuments and wealthy gastronomy go away nothing to be desired in comparison with Florence’s:
Small, However Mighty
Lucca’s Historic Middle could also be tiny in comparison with Florence, which is roughly 2 occasions bigger, however you would be stunned by what number of landmarks you may cram right into a single sightseeing day right here, beginning with Piazza dell’Anfiteatro.
Lucca’s important sq., and its important assembly level, is an elliptical sq. constructed proper on prime of an historical Roman amphitheater. That is cool sufficient as it’s, however wait till you see all the gorgeous, pastel-colored edifices, cozy cafes, and boutique outlets that encompass it.
As soon as once more, you will not discover a putting purple dome dominating Lucca’s skyline, however as a substitute, there’s an equally spectacular Cattedrale di San Martino. Wherever you might be within the walled metropolis, you simply cannot miss it: simply search for the hovering white-tipped tower.
It is also the house of Volto Santo, or Holy Face, an eight-foot-tall historical picket carving of Jesus that arrived to Lucca within the yr 782 AD.
Although its origins are disputed, medieval legends state it was made by none apart from Nicodemus, who assisted St. Joseph of Arimathea in laying Christ in his resting place following the crucifixion.
Epic Views And Lush Gardens
Talking of a walled metropolis, the Mura di Lucca is an attraction in its personal proper. Constructed through the Renaissance, they encircle town fully, providing views of the medieval townscape, and its tree-interspersed promenade makes for a pleasing post-lunch stroll.
In search of one other epic viewpoint? Ensure that to take a look at Torre Guinigi, a medieval tower well-known for the oak timber that just about miraculously develop at its prime.
Lucca’s most lovely inexperienced space, however, just isn’t atop the tower, however inside the confines of Palazzo Pfanner. For under €10, or roughly $12, you may stroll the lushest, dreamiest landscaped autumnal gardens, or wander frescoed Seventeenth-century chambers with interval furnishings.
Then, in fact, there’s Lucca’s endless listing of minor medieval church buildings, from San Michele in Foro, with its intricate façade adorned with angels and mythological beings, to San Frediano, a Sixth-century non secular website housing an unusually giant Ascension of Christ mosaic, and lots of extra.
The very best half? You get to discover all of this, minus the unsettling sight of 40-plus-people tour teams, clout-chasing Instagrammers, and Florence’s pickpockets.
The place To Eat In Lucca
As you may see, there’s a lot to maintain you busy on a time out in Lucca, however wait, we’ve not even bought to debate the meals but!
Listed below are a few of our favourite Italian eating places in Lucca, what they serve, and the way a lot it’s best to anticipate to pay:
Getting To Lucca
Attending to Lucca this fall, the closest airports to fly into are:
- Pisa Worldwide Airport (PSA) – 30 min away
- Florence Airport (FLR) – 1 hr 10 min away
In the event you’re already in Italy, and also you’re approaching Lucca by practice, it is a brief 1h practice trip from Florence. One-way tickets value $10–$12, with trains working about each half-hour from Firenze S.M.N. (Santa Maria Novella Station) to Lucca Station.
From Pisa, it is a good shorter 25–30 minute practice, and tickets are as low cost as $4. In the event you’re coming from farther away, like Rome, you may first must hop on the high-speed practice to Florence or Pisa (1 hr 30 min to 2 hr 17 min, $40–$60), after which change to the regional practice to Lucca.
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