How to Plan a Florence to Lucca Day Trip

We dedicated a full day in Lucca, Italy, on our last trip to Tuscany, and I’m so happy we didn’t rush things by tacking on a trip to Pisa along with it.

Don’t get me wrong.

Both Lucca and Pisa are worth your time.

I’m here to convince you that a Florence to Lucca day trip can stand on its own, especially when you have a detailed guide like this one to fall back on.

*Toot toot!*

That’s me tooting my own horn about the only guide you’ll need to explore the walled city of Lucca. What you’ll read here is how we approached our trip, too, so you won’t be left waiting on some train platform because I made stuff up for kicks.

A day trip to Lucca from Florence is pretty easy.

Lucca is about 59 miles (95 km) from Florence. That’s about an hour and 10 minutes if you’re driving. 

I’d highly recommend the train vs. a self-drive as you plan how to get to Lucca from Florence, though.

You won’t have to worry about navigating aggressive drivers and roads you’re not used to, and trains to and from Lucca are frequent, inexpensive, and efficient.

Brian tells me it’s harder to see the cool sights out the window when he’s driving, too. (I’m a passenger princess who doesn’t know how to drive manual cars, the typical rental car in Italy and another reason we love trains in Europe.)

Is a day trip to Lucca worth it?

Lucca is worth a day trip from Florence for its charm, distinctive character, and historic walls.

Back in the day, those walls were fortifications to keep the Tuscan city safe. Today, they’re meant for leisurely strolls, bike rides, and people-watching in a laidback town.

I’ve mentioned this already, but many travelers to Tuscany make it a combo day trip that includes Pisa and its famous leaning tower.

I’d highly recommend a dedicated trip to Lucca. I promise you’ll have plenty to fill your Lucca itinerary with, including all kinds of delicious treats. 

READ MORE: Want to visit Pisa some other day? Here’s my guide to making it happen.

How to Get from Florence to Lucca

A Florence to Lucca day trip by train is the best and easiest way to get to the walled city. Lucca is about an hour and 30 minutes from Florence by train, but there are routes that get you there in just under an hour and 20 minutes. 

Look for trains without transfers when you’re booking so you don’t find yourself on a longer journey than expected.

Pick up trains from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, the main train station in Florence, to Stazione di Lucca, the main train station in Lucca.

We got tickets in the morning the day of our trip and about a half hour before returning on a Lucca to Florence train. We were traveling in October, so you may want to do a little more pre-planning if you’re here at the height of summer. 

Expect to pay less than €20 for a roundtrip fare.

Note: Download the Trenitalia app for the regional train if you follow our lead so you can see whether any trains are running late. That’s also where you can purchase mobile tickets if you don’t want to worry about tickets the day of your day trip to Lucca.

From Stazione di Lucca, it’s a short walk to the historic center. Unless you’d like to bike around town, you won’t need more than your feet to have a great day.

Things to Do in Lucca for a Day

One day in Lucca will keep you busy, but the town is compact enough that it’s all doable before your trip back to Florence.

Walk the historic city walls.

If you’re looking for the quintessential things to do in Lucca, leave some time to walk the city walls.

During our visit, we were treated to a temporary art exhibit known as The Travelers, a series of what appeared to be businessmen disappearing into the ether, along the rim. 

The length of the walls is about 2.6 miles or 4 km. You don’t need to do the entire thing to get a feel for what’s going on here. We didn’t and didn’t feel like we missed out on anything. 

Note: If you’re exploring the city by bike, a popular recommendation I’ve seen that I wasn’t interested in on our own trip, you could make quick work of that mileage.

See the oldest wooden relic in Europe at the Lucca Cathedral.

The Lucca Cathedral, which also goes by the Duomo di San Martino and the Cattedrale di San Martino, is Lucca’s most prominent cathedral. While it’s not the Duomo in Florence, it’s still quite grand.

The old wooden Jesus, also known as the oldest wooden relic in Europe and The Holy Face of Lucca, was unfortunately under refurbishment during our visit.

We caught a glimpse behind its protective fabric, but I’m sure it’s a sight to behold when it’s available to prying eyes. 

We just visited the cathedral during our trip, but you can also purchase a combo ticket for the museum and bell tower if you fancy that.

Fun fact: Either of the towers I’ll get into next offer excellent views of the city from above if you’re seeking panoramas and aren’t sure about tickets to the Lucca Cathedral’s bell tower.

Climb the Guinigi Tower.

The Guinigi Tower, or Torre Guinigi, is known for what you get once you climb to the very top.

There’s a miniature rooftop forest up there with lovely views of the town and surrounding towers. It’s tight up there, but I imagine they cut down on visitors during busier months. 

You can buy tickets online, but we had no trouble walking up to get a pair. The climb itself isn’t too tough compared to the big towers in Florence, but I did jack up my ankle on the way down somehow. Is this aging?  

Climb Torre delle Ore.

We only had time to climb one tower during our Lucca day trip from Florence, and I just had to choose the one with the rooftop garden.

If you’re a glutton for stairs, the Torre Delle Ore, or Clock Tower, is actually the tallest in Lucca. 

The tower was built in the 13th century, but the clock bit was added in 1754. You’ll climb 207 steps to panoramic views of Lucca from this one.

Tickets for this one are also available online. It seemed like the Guinigi Tower generally gets more love as far as bookings, but booking ahead is never a bad call if you’re traveling in the summertime.

Drink a half-liter of wine on a historic piazza.

The Pizzicheria La Grotta where we enjoyed this experience closed by the time of this writing, but it was one of several options on the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro.

This is Lucca’s most important square, built in the design of a Roman amphitheater.

Once you find a nice spot to relax, get yourself some cheap wine and free snacks, and any foot pain you had climbing that last tower will dissipate. I promise you. Peperosa gets quite a bit of kudos from the Michelin guide if you want more than wine.

Spot remnants of the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro.

Now that you’re good and lubricated, try walking around the old amphitheater to look for remnants of the four original gateways.

If you were able to get a bird’s-eye view with a drone — please don’t do this — you’d see that the buildings form an elliptical ring around the square.  

Yes, the square is elliptical.

Outside of the cafes and wine stops, this is a gathering place for locals. The site hosts various events and markets throughout the year that enhance its character as Lucca’s historic center.

Visit a mummified saint at the San Frediano Basilica.

The San Frediano Basilica, or Basilica di San Frediano, is impressive before I get into the mummy bits. Admire the beautiful facade before walking inside to look at the church’s golden mosaics and intricate frescoes.

Once you’ve properly appreciated the space, I’ll let you seek out the mummified patron saint of Lucca.

Her name was Zita, and she’s referred to as an “Incorruptible.”

Fun fact: These are bodies of Catholic saints that were exhumed at one point to determine whether they deteriorated like normal bodies.

Apparently, Zita was in a pretty impressive state when she was dug up in 1580. (She died and was originally buried in 1272.) What you see today is a result of natural mummification.

No, I’m not including photos here, you creeps.  

Eat an authentic Italian lunch.

Our pick for lunch in Lucca was Osteria del Bastian Contrario. This family-run restaurant has been operating in some form since 1946.

We had reasonably-priced tordelli, which is basically jumbo-sized meat ravioli, and an indulgent tagliatelle alla Bolognese with pancetta. 

Don’t expect Olive Garden portions here or anywhere else in Italy. The folks here look the way they do despite eating pasta almost daily because they’re keeping things reasonable.

If you’d like to comparison-shop or craft your own Lucca food tour, Trattoria da Leo and Trattoria da Giulio were both on our list.

READ MORE: Love Italian food? Bologna is the BEST Italian city for food tours!

Learn about a master at the Puccini Museum.

The Puccini Museum, or Casa Natale di Giacomo Puccini if you’re fancy, is an excellent house museum that operates out of the birthplace of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. You’ll find it near the Piazza San Michele, a worthwhile stop of its own.

If you’re uncultured (kidding!) he’s the composer behind La Bohème and Madama Butterfly.

I’m really not into opera like, at all, but found this stop super interesting. You’ll see exhibits that include letters to his married lady friend and costumes from his famous shows.

The letters get quite saucy, so I assume the friend was more than just a friend.

Don’t miss the stunning gown toward the exit from an unfinished work.

Go back in time at the Domus Romana Lucca.

Take a private tour of a residence that was essentially turned into an archaeological site and museum following discoveries of what sat underneath.

Today, the museum is known as the “House of the Child on a Dolphin.”

That name comes from a frieze that was discovered here that features two cherubs riding a dolphin. It’s all very whimsical, much like Lucca as a whole.

Check out the angel stop Chiesa di San Michele in Foro.

If you’re feeling some church fatigue at this point of your Italy travels, pop by this one for the exterior architecture and the angel that sits at the very top. That’s the Archangel Michael.

The church is dedicated to the angel, so that tracks.

The architecture’s pretty quirky aside from the angel topper. It’s a mix of styles that speak to elements added over the years to make it grander and more impressive.

Stroll the gardens at Palazzo Pfanner.

This 17th-century palace is all kinds of elegant, but you’re here for the gardens.

Take a stroll to find your favorite disrobing statue amongst the most impressive landscaping in town. I’m talking about the greenery, not whatever is happening with the nude gods and goddesses.

This city isn’t as hectic as some of the more touristed cities in Italy, but the garden respite is lovely nonetheless.

Look for ghosts at the Orto Botanico Comunale di Lucca.

We were too distracted by the seminude sculptures back at the palace, but if you love gardens, prioritize the Orto Botanico Comunale di Lucca as part of your plans.

As a true crime enthusiast, I was a little bummed that we missed this one because of the intriguing story that comes along with it. At some point, a very vain woman was tossed into the pond here by the devil. 

Why’d he chuck her in there? She sold her soul for beauty or something. That’s how these things usually go.  

If you’re here late into the night, you may be able to hear her cries. Dark, stormy nights are particularly active in the gardens for ghost hunters. 

Linger in the Piazza Napoleone.

The Piazza Napoleone, or Piazza Grande, is another nice place for an apertivo.

Some of it was blocked off during our visit, but that seemed to be a trend on that Friday. There was a busy weekend coming with an arts and music festival, which I’m sad to have missed.

This also seemed to be a hub for ads featuring Justin Bieber, but my Italian isn’t good enough to tell you more about that.

Shop along Via Fillungo.

We don’t usually shop for things that aren’t edible on our European vacations, but I’m not here to judge.

We took a quick stroll along this strip just to check out the wares, and it is indeed a great spot to find local goods and while away some of that precious free time. It’s not a bad stretch to find a cafe stop if your dogs are barking, too.

Marvel at ancient Roman aqueducts. 

Walk along an aqueduct supported by 400 arches at the Aqueduct of Nottolini. The aqueduct was used to bring water from Lucca to mountain towns south of the city. 

Today, it’s a popular spot for locals to gather because they can collect water from those fountains to take with them. We saw quite a few old ladies filling up gallons of water that they carted off to their homes. 

At least, I assume they were going home. They may have been hosting bikini car washes for all I know.

Take a guided tour of Lucca.

Lucca is easy enough to enjoy in a self-guided fashion, but if you want to take some of the guesswork out of your trip, there are all kinds of tour options for you once you’re here.

Check out some highly-rated guided experiences below, including both walking tours and bike tours of Lucca:

The Best Time to Visit Lucca

The best time to visit Lucca is in the spring or fall. Those shoulder seasons allow for weather that’s perfect for exploring without the peak crowds of the summer season.

We visited during October for our own day trip to Lucca, and it was fantastic. The sun was shining and we didn’t need much outside of long sleeves and our appetites. 

That said, Lucca is a year-round destination. Just pack your patience if you’re here in the summer.

Is Lucca expensive?

Lucca can be expensive if you seek out fine dining experiences during your visit or stay overnight in one of the city’s pricier hotels. For the purposes of a day trip, you don’t have to spend much money to enjoy your visit.

We had a delicious lunch of fresh pasta at a casual, family-run eatery, for example. Did I feel like I was missing out on anything in doing so? No. I felt like I was winning.

Where to Stay Overnight in Lucca

Lucca is one of those places you can easily fall in love with if you’re not careful. We were definitely feeling the vibes and did have some regrets about having to head back to Florence at the end of a pretty great day.

If you have the time, you have quite a few options for accommodations to accommodate that yearning for more time in Lucca.

Use the map below to get you started:

Lucca is a special place.

Lucca is extremely well-preserved from a historical perspective. The city’s walls allow visitors to step back in time and experience Lucca as it once was, much like visiting the canals of Venice.

Lucca can also be a decent base for more Tuscan travel to spots like Pisa and Livorno. I wouldn’t recommend trips from Lucca to Cinque Terre or San Gimignano no matter what other blogs tell you. They’re just too far.

If you only have time for a day trip from Florence to Lucca, I know you’ll be just as charmed as we were.

Want more adventures nearby? Check out the Italy posts below:

• All the Best Things to Do in Bologna, Italy
• Take a Day Trip to Parma on Your Italy Trip
• How to Explore the Best of the Venetian Lagoon
• Verona Is More Than Juliet. Learn More!
• Should You Plan That Vacation to Venice?

I’m not done yet! Here are a few more guides to Italy trips:

• Things to Do in Whimsical Burano
• An Itinerary for Three Busy Days in Rome
• Is Bologna Worth Visiting? Use This Guide
• How to See the Pompeii Ruins From Rome
• Where to Eat Pizza on a Naples Day Trip

Want to see more?