Last year I took a road trip through Tuscany that brought me to some of the most beautiful towns and villages of this charming Italian region. And among popular spots and top tourist attractions I fell in love with Lucca.
Lucca is a charming town in northern Tuscany still quite untouched by mass tourism – and I guess that having a rockstar like Pisa as a neighbor doesn’t really help. It features many and truly beautiful medieval buildings, small streets, spacious squares, cute little shops. Moreover, it’s a perfect place to visit with small kids – the old town is mostly pedestrian, very green and peaceful, with many gardens and places for relaxation.
Here are some reasons why you should include Lucca in your next trip to Tuscany.
A corner of authentic Tuscany
Tuscany is one of Italy’s (and Europe’s) top travel destinations. For this reason, sometimes it is hard to visit it without stumbling into tacky tourist traps or the usual hordes of tourists coming off from a bus. Well, Lucca is a breath of fresh air under this point of view. You still get to see amazing cathedrals and beautiful Renaissance art, but without the hustle and bustle of the more famous tourist sites.
One of the best preserved (and mostly pedestrianized) historic centres
Lucca’s historic centre is surrounded by thick walls built in the XVI century and maintained practically intact up to now. Originally built to protect the town, today these walls are one Lucca’s key attractions. They’ve been converted into a stunning tree-lined, panoramic walkway completely pedestrianized, just like most of the town center, where beautiful historic buildings are incredibly well preserved.
The town of 100 churches
Lucca is home to an impressive number of religious buildings featuring some great examples of architectural Italian styles. Not to miss are the Church of San Michele, the Basilica of San Frediano and San Michele in Foro.
Its pretty streets and alleys will make you forget Florence and Siena
With its colorful buildings, pretty cafés and elegant piazzas, Lucca is a photographer’s paradise and has nothing to envy to the more glamorous Florence and Siena. Take your time to venture down its side streets and back alleys to admire the architecture and the many local shops, everywhere you look you’ll always find something stunning to take a picture of!
Cute eateries and a unique gastronomy
Lucca’s gastronomy is quite unique in the region, with a variety of delicious specialties including tordelli, meat-stuffed pasta served with sauce and parmesan, necci, crepes made of chestnut flour and filled with ricotta, and buccellato, a donut cake filled with raisins. You can taste all this amazing food at one of the many nice restaurants and pretty trattorias sprinkled throughout the historic center.
A town of music
Music plays an important role in Lucca. Opera composer Giacomo Puccini was born here and every year the maestro is celebrated with a special festival in July and August (alternatively, concerts take place most evenings in the Church of San Giovanni). There is also a fantastic Summer Music Festival taking place throughout July, with a series of open-air concerts by internationally renowned artists.
You may want to read also my Tuscany itinerary for a 10-day road trip.
Until next time
So nice to read about another Italian city in Tuscany other than Florence. Lucca looks really pretty, and my mouth is watering after thinking about the delicious food there. Also interesting to know it’s the birthplace of Puccini, I never knew that before!
Yep, it was a true surprise on my recent road trip through Tuscany and can’t wait to go back already! 🙂
I am not surprised that it is untouched by mass tourism because I also haven’t heard of Lucca, despite having been to Tuscany (especially Pisa, since you say it’s close to Pisa). It looks like a pretty cool Italian town, so cool that it has over 100 churches! The streets and alleys look quite nice as well!
I love learning about (and exploring) the towns less traveled. The architecture is lovely and I cannot imagine visiting all of those churches! The food sounds wonderful, especially crepes made of chestnut flour, yummy.
I love going a little off the beaten path, there are so many gems beyond the most famous sites!
That’s really a shame that you didn’t hear of Lucca while in Pisa! One for next time then?! 😉
I just love those quaint little towns that aren’t touched by a lot of tourism. I love walking down little alley ways that make you forget which century you’re in. Lucca seems to tick all the boxes for me. And even though it would be fun to say that you’ve visited all 100 of the churches, I’m sure something like church-fatigue would kick in!
Totally agree! It’s nice to see the main sites, but I have this thing with off-the-beaten-path places 🙂
Love the photos – I would go wild taking pictures of the architecture and streets. Finding locations with fewer people is my kind of travel so thank you!
I totally understand…I took hundreds and hundreds of pictures! Ahah
I’ve heard that Lucca will, as you put it, make you forget Florence. I’m totally intrigued and may have to visit in May when we’re tramping around Europe. It sounds and looks so much more peaceful and gorgeous.
That’s great Rob! It’s nice to see the major tourist sites, of course, but venturing to off-the-beaten path places often offers a more relaxed and authentic experience, which I love!
Hope you have a great time in Italy! 🙂
I have seen Italy come up more and more on our radar. It must be amazing walking between all that architecture and visiting the old churches. Would love to visit Lucca!
I visited Tuscany a few years back, and skipped Lucca in favor of spending more time in Sienna and Florence. The photographs look great. They do, however make me regretful, reminding me of what I missed.
Well, that’s a good excuse for organizing another trip to Italy then! 😀
Time to plan a trip here Lisa!! 😀
Lucca is so beautiful! It’s one of our favorite towns in Tuscany, as well–we love how walkable it is, and its distinct oval town “square”. I can’t quite say its streets make me forget the streets of Florence… but they’re definitely a contender. 😉 We’re actually planning a trip back to Tuscany this summer, and we can’t wait to see Lucca again!
Glad to hear that you liked it Kate!
The land of 100 churches? That definitely needs more than an extended weekend to explore.
Whole of Italy is just so gorgeous, right? If only I could move to Italy and explore all of these places every weekend….
Yep, it’s truly beautiful! No need to move, you can start with a great trip throughout the country 😉
Lucca should be an interesting place to visit. I could walk on the streets all day trying out food and stop by churches. Can’t wait to have an authentic Tuscan experience. Cheers!!
Oh yes, me too! Give me a camera, good walking shoes and I’m ready to explore 😀
Lucca sounds like an interesting place to visit. I love the architecture of the buildings and the old feel of its streets and alleys. A town of hundred churches – really? That’s quite impressive! I would love to try those authentic local eateries especially the donut cake filled with raisins. Lucca is definitely a place worth adding to the bucket list.
Yep, a true little gem 🙂
Lucca definitely seems like a great place to visit. Of course I am dying to go to Tuscany, but Florence is always the first place I think of. It would be great to get somewhere a little more about the beaten track. The 100 churches sound interesting too.
I know Stella and of course Florence is a must-see, but it’s also nice to explore the surrounding area to get a better feel for the country. And I think Lucca is unmissable under this point of view 🙂
Tuscany is high on my bucketlist, but I hadn’t really spent much time looking at Lucca! Will definitely bookmark it and think about it when we start planning our trip! It looks and sounds amazing!
I hope you’ll be able to visit soon!!
Tuscany is such a wonderful place to visit. Rolling hills, wines, awesome place!
Oh yes, you get the picture pefectly Tina!
I didn’t know about this charming gem when I went to Italy. 100 churches seem to be a lot and hope you did manage to see at least some in Lucca. It is also nice that it is a well-preserved town. Will definitely keep this place in mind.
No I didn’t, but it would be a fun challenge, wouldn’t it? 🙂
Lucca is a charming town. I knew about Tuscany but not this. I am fond of churches and this one has 100 of them. Wow.
Pretty streets and alleys are my favorite. And what better than having amazing food. I am glad to learn about this place.
Very charming place, one for your next trip? 🙂