Find out how to have fun in Lucca, Italy, and where to go on excursions.

Sights and history

In Lucca, medieval history will breathe on you, just walk through one of the gates through the massive city walls and you'll find yourself in a world of narrow streets, traditional Romanesque churches with square towers so typical of Tuscany and transported back in time several centuries.

Lucca is one of the most beautiful and compact historic cities in Europe. The size of the centre is very small and you can walk through it in 15 minutes, but thanks to the numerous monuments and romantic corners, you can easily spend a whole day or more here.

These sights should not be missed in Lucca:

• St. Martin's Cathedral
• Torre Guinigi
• Basilica of San Frediano
• Church of San Michele in Foro
• Torre delle Ore

Lucca's origins date back to the Etruscans, but it flourished more during the time of ancient Rome, from which the town's urban form, for example, originates.

During the 6th to 12th centuries Lucca was under the rule of the Langobards and became the capital of the Duchy of Tuscany, but from the 12th century onwards the great epoch of Lucca began.

It was in 1160 that the city first became independent as the Republic of Lucca and its sovereignty lasted for an incredible 645 years until 1805, with only very brief interruptions when it was occupied by neighbouring states, for a short period of time it was also sold to John of Luxembourg in the 14th century.

Charles IV was instrumental in the restoration of independence from 1369, Lucca was one of his favourite places and he spent a lot of time there.

Take a walk around the walls

A favourite activity for locals and tourists alike is to walk the unique walls that have surrounded the centre of Lucca since the 16th century and have remained unchanged throughout. To this day, you can walk around the walls of Lucca all the way around.

A pedestrian promenade with benches, trees and green belts runs along the walls, offering spectacular views of the Apuan Alps and the towering centre of Lucca.

Views from the towers

Lucca is a city of towers that will not disappoint, providing spectacular views of the entire centre and the wider surroundings. Moreover, admission here is not particularly expensive, usually costing from 3 eur to 5 eur.

The most beautiful views are from the bell tower of the Lucca Dome, the Clock Tower or the Guinigi Tower.

Excursions to the Apuan Alps

From the ramparts, you can see that not far outside the city, a part of the Apennine mountain range called the Apuan Alps rises from the lowlands to heights of over 1,900 metres.

Lucca is the nearest town to these mountains and if you want to take day trips to them, it will be the best starting point. It will provide the necessary facilities in the form of dozens of restaurants, shops and supermarkets, and you won't get bored here, plus it has the best transport links with many bus routes, see the Transport section.