Lucca

A charming walled city famous for its intact Renaissance walls and Romanesque churches. Lucca is one of Tuscany's most elegant and relaxed towns.

Things to do

• Walk or cycle the city walls — Rent a bike at the walls base and enjoy the tree-lined promenade above the city.
• Visit Piazza dell'Anfiteatro — This elliptical piazza is built over a Roman amphitheatre and is perfect for a coffee stop.
• Climb Torre Guinigi — Climb the medieval tower crowned with oak trees for panoramic views over Lucca.
• Explore the Duomo di San Martino — Admire the asymmetric Romanesque facade and the Volto Santo crucifix inside.
• Attend a Puccini concert — Lucca is the birthplace of Puccini; evening concerts are held in his honour regularly.

Food to try

• Tordelli Lucchesi — Stuffed pasta similar to tortelli filled with meat and herbs, a local Sunday staple.
• Buccellato — A sweet ring-shaped bread with anise and raisins, sold in bakeries across the city.
• Zuppa di Farro — Hearty emmer wheat soup slow-cooked with local vegetables and legumes.
• Lardo di Colonnata — Cured fatback aged in marble basins, served thin on warm bread.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect quiet streets at midday — Lucca locals observe a long lunch break; many shops close between 1 and 3 PM.
• Book Lucca Comics tickets early — The annual comics festival in October draws huge crowds and hotels fill months in advance.
• Dress for churches — Shoulders and knees must be covered when entering the Duomo and other churches.