A Perfect Week in Lucca: A 7 Day Tuscany Itinerary
- Ashley Campolattaro
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
People sometimes visit Lucca believing an afternoon is enough. They climb the Renaissance walls, rent a bike to circle the city, take a photo in Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, and leave before evening. On paper it looks efficient. In reality, they miss the part that makes Lucca unforgettable. Lucca reveals itself slowly.
Over the past few years we have hosted many friends and family and almost everyone asks the same question before arriving...
How should we spend our week in Lucca?
We provide our guests with a planning guide full of suggestions, but the most important advice is simple. Lucca is best experienced through slow travel. This is not a city to rush through. It is a place to linger in piazzas, wander quiet streets, enjoy long meals, and live like a local for a while. Leave space and flexibility in your itinerary for the magic to happen…the unplanned and most memorable moments that turn a visit into a feeling you’ll carry long after you leave.
Depending what season you're traveling, be sure to check out the special events occurring in town (there is quite literally always something happening in Lucca) and work it into your itinerary.
We strongly recommend that you don't over program your time with trips every day that take you away from Lucca. Many travelers try to see everything nearby. The coast, San Gimignano, Volterra, Arezzo, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Siena are all within reach for day trips from Lucca. But if you try to visit them all, you will spend much of your vacation on the autostrada watching Tuscany through a car window.
Most people leave Lucca wishing they had done less, not more.
The real magic happens when you slow down and soak it in. Walk the walls early in the morning when the trees cast long shadows across the path and the city is just beginning to wake. Spend an afternoon wandering the narrow streets with no destination, stopping for an espresso that turns into a glass of wine. Let yourself get lost between small piazzas, old churches, and hidden gardens.
In the evening the locals gather on the walls for their nightly passeggiata. Children ride bikes. Friends stop to talk. The city moves at an unhurried rhythm that has not changed for generations. That is when you realize something important. Lucca was never meant to be rushed. It is a place to linger.
If you have a full week in Lucca, the itinerary below will help you achieve balance and experience the best of the city and the surrounding countryside while still leaving room to slow down and enjoy it.
Day 1: Arrival and Introduction to Lucca
Arrive in Lucca and settle in. The historic center is compact and wonderfully walkable, so the best way to begin is simply by wandering.
Start with a relaxed walk through the medieval streets around Piazza Anfiteatro, one of Lucca’s most distinctive squares built on the footprint of a Roman amphitheater. From there, continue toward the Cathedral of San Martino to admire its striking façade and beautiful interior.
Spend the rest of the afternoon getting oriented. Walk along Via Fillungo, Lucca’s main shopping street, where you will find boutiques, bakeries, wine shops, and small local stores.
End the evening with a leisurely dinner in one of the city’s many trattorias and a gelato in one of the nearby piazzas.
If you plan on hitting a couple of museums and climbing at least one tower, we recommend checking out the Visit Lucca Card, a cumulative ticket that allows access to the main museums and attractions of the city.
If you enjoy museums, consider visiting the Puccini Museum, located in the birthplace of the famous composer Giacomo Puccini, or the Palazzo Mansi National Museum. Entry to select museums is free on the first Sunday of the month.
Day 2: Bike the Walls, Climb a Tower, and Explore the City
Start your morning with Lucca’s most iconic experience, biking along the Renaissance walls that surround the city. The loop is about four kilometers long and shaded by trees, making it ideal for a relaxed ride. Bike rentals are available throughout town. This will help you get your bearings as you circle above town. This blog on navigating Lucca will also help you find your way. While you're at it, be sure to explore inside the walls too!
Before lunch, climb one of Lucca's towers to get yet another perspective of the city. Lucca has several towers you can climb for views over the rooftops and surrounding countryside. Many visitors head to the iconic Torre Guinigi, but our personal favorite is the tower at San Frediano, which offers wonderful views.
A food tour is another great way to taste regional specialties and dishes unique to Lucca.
Lucca is often called the city of 100 churches, so be sure to step inside at least one during your visit. Even if you are not usually drawn to churches, these historic spaces offer a quiet moment to appreciate the art, architecture, and centuries of history woven into daily life in Lucca. Three of the most notable are:
The Basilica of San Frediano is known for its striking golden mosaic façade and its beautifully preserved Romanesque interior. Inside, you will find intricate stone carvings, historic frescoes, and a peaceful atmosphere that reflects Lucca’s long religious history.
San Martino, Lucca’s cathedral, sits just inside the city walls and is home to several important works of art, including the famous Volto Santo, a revered wooden crucifix believed to date back centuries.
San Michele in Foro stands in the center of one of Lucca’s most lively squares. Its ornate marble façade rises dramatically above the piazza and is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Day 3: Market Morning, Villa Reale, and Vineyard Lunch
If your visit falls on a Wednesday or Saturday, begin the morning at Lucca’s weekly market near Piazzale Don Baroni just outside Porta Santa Maria. It is a lively market filled with fresh produce, cheeses, clothing, and household goods and offers a wonderful look at local life.
Later in the morning, head into the countryside just north of Lucca. Renting a car or hiring a private driver makes this day easiest.
Start with a visit to Villa Reale di Marlia, about fifteen minutes from the city. The historic estate sits within an expansive park filled with gardens, fountains, and elegant walking paths. The camellia garden is especially beautiful.
After exploring the villa grounds, continue on to one of the many vineyards in the Colline Lucchesi wine region (reservations recommended). Tastings here are relaxed and often paired with simple Tuscan dishes, making it easy to linger over lunch while enjoying views of vineyards, olive groves, and cypress trees. Several wineries also serve lunch and dinner.
Day 4: Train Ride to the Beach
One of the great advantages of staying in Lucca is how easily you can reach the coast.
Take a short train ride from Lucca to Viareggio, which takes about twenty minutes and runs frequently throughout the day.
Viareggio is known for its wide sandy beaches and elegant promenade lined with Art Deco buildings. Spend the morning walking along the boardwalk, swimming, or relaxing at one of the beach clubs where you can rent chairs and umbrellas (coming soon, a blog about beaches in the area).
Enjoy a long seafood lunch along the waterfront before heading back to Lucca in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Devil’s Bridge and a Tuscan Cooking Class
Start the morning with a short trip north of Lucca to visit the famous Devil’s Bridge in Borgo a Mozzano, also known as Ponte della Maddalena.
The bridge’s dramatic arch makes it one of the most distinctive medieval bridges in Italy. According to local legend, the devil helped construct the bridge in exchange for the first soul to cross it.
Borgo a Mozzano is only about thirty minutes from Lucca by car. You can also take a regional train and walk from the station to the bridge.
Spend some time walking across the bridge and exploring the riverbanks along the Serchio. If you continue a little farther into the Garfagnana region, you will find beautiful mountain scenery and small villages tucked into the hills.
Return to Lucca in the early afternoon for one of the most memorable experiences of any trip to Tuscany: a cooking class. Some classes take place inside the city walls or at nearby villas and agriturismi in the countryside. Most focus on traditional Tuscan cooking, with hands-on preparation of fresh pasta, seasonal vegetables, and classic regional dishes. The experience usually ends with a relaxed meal featuring everything you prepared. It is a wonderful way to learn about local ingredients and bring a piece of Tuscany home with you.
Day 6: Choose One Classic Tuscan Day Trip
If you are spending a full week in Lucca, it can be fun to take one longer day trip to explore another Tuscan town. Many travelers try to see too much, but choosing just one or two destinations allows you to enjoy it without rushing.
Florence and Pisa are the most obvious day trips from Lucca, and both are easy to reach by train. Florence offers world-class art, architecture, and museums, while Pisa is home to the famous Leaning Tower and the striking Piazza dei Miracoli.
However, if you are looking for places that feel a bit less crowded and more distinctly Tuscan, you may enjoy exploring some of the smaller historic towns nearby. If you get an early enough start, you can probably even make a couple of stops.
Siena is about two hours from Lucca and is one of Tuscany’s most remarkable cities. Its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo is among the most beautiful squares in Italy and home to the famous Palio horse race.
San Gimignano sits about ninety minutes away and is known for its medieval towers rising above the surrounding countryside. Walking its stone streets feels like stepping back in time.
Volterra is another excellent choice. Perched high above the hills, it offers sweeping views and a fascinating mix of Etruscan, Roman, and medieval history. The town is also known for its traditional alabaster craftsmanship.
Arezzo is slightly farther but well worth the trip. Its sloping Piazza Grande and historic center are full of character, and the city has a relaxed atmosphere with wonderful antique shops and cafés.
Our general rule of thumb for day trips is anything within 2 hours from Lucca Centro. Anything longer and you'll be spending more time traveling than enjoying. Check out our blog on daytrips within reach of Lucca for more ideas!
Whichever destination you choose, return to Lucca in the evening and enjoy a relaxed dinner in town. After a day exploring Tuscany, the calm rhythm of Lucca feels even more special.
Day 7: A Leisurely Farewell
Spend your final day enjoying Lucca at a slower pace. Visit a museum you may have missed earlier in the week, browse local shops along Via Fillungo, or simply wander through the quiet streets and piazzas.
This is also a good time to sample some traditional Lucchese dishes if you have not yet had the chance. Local specialties include: tordelli lucchesi, a filled pasta typically served with meat ragù, buccellato, a slightly sweet anise scented bread, and garmugia, a spring vegetable soup that reflects the region’s seasonal cooking. For a deeper look at local dining options and dishes to try, we recommend reading our Eating in Lucca guide.
As the sun begins to set, take one final walk or bike ride along Lucca’s tree lined walls. It is a simple tradition that perfectly captures our favorite way of experiencing Lucca. Slow down, enjoy the moment, and live like a local.
Curate an Authentic Italian Experience
For a hassle-free, authentic trip to Lucca and other points in Italy, we highly recommend Away to Italy. Amy can help you craft a personalized itinerary, from hidden gems to must-see attractions for a memorable experience. Guests of Casa Campolattaro receive a 10% discount on her services — just mention that you’re staying with us. www.AwaytoItaly.com OR amy@awaytoitaly.com
