Things to do in Lucca

Activities, attractions and tours

A densely packed town with red-tiled roofs, historic buildings, and a prominent church tower.
A historic square with outdoor cafes, yellow buildings, and a prominent tower.
A historic square with cobblestone pavement, traditional buildings, and outdoor seating areas.
A historic square with colorful buildings, cobblestone pavement, and outdoor seating areas.
An aerial view of a coastal city with a beach, a pier, and mountains in the background.

Things to do

From La Spezia: Florence and Pisa Shore Excursion

From La Spezia: Florence and Pisa Shore Excursion

RM227
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
From La Spezia: Florence and Pisa Shore Excursion
Pisa: Leaning Tower and Cathedral Skip-the-Line Tickets

Pisa: Leaning Tower & Cathedral Tickets with Timed Entry

RM140
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Pisa: Leaning Tower & Cathedral Tickets with Timed Entry
Highlights of Tuscany: Siena, San Gimignano & Pisa with Lunch

From Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, Chianti Tour with Lunch & Wine

RM273
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
From Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, Chianti Tour with Lunch & Wine
Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli Half Day Tour from Florence

Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli Half Day Tour from Florence

RM145
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli Half Day Tour from Florence
From La Spezia: Shore Excursion to Pisa

From La Spezia: Shore Excursion to Pisa

RM180
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
From La Spezia: Shore Excursion to Pisa
Pisa: Baptistery and Cathedral Ticket with Audio Guide

Pisa: Baptistery and Cathedral Ticket with Audio Guide

RM93
per adult
Pisa: Baptistery and Cathedral Ticket with Audio Guide
From Livorno: Shore Excursion to Florence and Pisa

From Livorno: Shore Excursion to Florence and Pisa

RM164
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
From Livorno: Shore Excursion to Florence and Pisa
Pisa: Walking Tour with Multilingual Audio Guide and Tour Leader

Pisa: Walking Tour with Multilingual Audio Guide and Tour Leader

RM68
per adult
Pisa: Walking Tour with Multilingual Audio Guide and Tour Leader
Discover Pisa A Guided Tour

Self-Guided Pisa Tour: Leaning Tower, Cathedral & Old Town

RM19
per adult
Self-Guided Pisa Tour: Leaning Tower, Cathedral & Old Town
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Top places to visit

1. Piazza Napoleone

With rock concerts, cafés, interesting architecture and a wide open space, the sprawling tree-lined Piazza Napoleone has a broad appeal that attracts thousands of visitors every day.
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A street lined with yellow buildings, a sign for Via Becceria, and people walking and cycling.

2. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Pull up a seat at a pavement café, sip a strong espresso and people-watch in one of Lucca’s most beautiful squares. Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is enclosed by brightly colored buildings of uneven heights. It was built on the ruins of a second-century Roman amphitheater where chariots raced. More maudlin, gladiators once fought to the death in front of crowds of up to 10,000 spectators within the piazza’s walls.
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A sculpture of a seated figure in a public square with buildings in the background.

3. Basilica of San Frediano

The first thing that attracts your attention is the gold Byzantine-style mosaic at the top of the wide facade. The decorative piece represents the Ascension of Christ, below which are depictions of the 12 apostles. Inside the Basilica di San Frediano the views are just as arresting, with several notable works of art and the mummified body of a saint.
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A historic square with a prominent church featuring a colorful mosaic, surrounded by traditional buildings with green shutters.

4. Guinigi Tower

Rising 145 feet (44 meters) into the air and crowned by a roof garden of centuries-old holm oaks, Guinigi Tower is one of the most intriguing sights of the Lucchese skyline.
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A historic tower with a tree on top, surrounded by traditional buildings with red-tiled roofs.

5. Piazza San Michele

Piazza San Michele in Lucca’s city center has been a hub of city life for almost 2,000 years. The square occupies the site of the old Roman forum, the venue for triumphant processions, public speeches and commercial and political affairs. Today, join visitors and residents alike to explore its restaurants, medieval buildings and market.
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A historic building with two towers and a large open plaza.

6. Lucca Roman Amphitheatre

Stroll through one of the many archways into Lucca’s Roman Amphitheatre and you’ll notice bright yellow buildings arranged in an elliptical shape, a significant focal point in a unique destination town. Try to imagine the armed gladiators fighting beasts to the death for the entertainment of a roaring crowd. Up to 10,000 spectators once sat in the stands here. Originally an arena for gladiatorial blood sports, the structure became a fortified military base, a warehouse, a prison and eventually, a bustling city square.
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A yellow building with green shutters, outdoor seating, and people walking in front.

7. Palazzo Pfanner

Immerse yourself in baroque splendor in one of Lucca’s most elegant sights, Palazzo Pfanner, a 17th-century palace famous for its frescoes, walled garden and classical music concerts. The palace was originally built for the wealthy Moriconi family in the 1660s. Since then it has changed hands several times, coming into the possession of the Pfanner family in 1856. They are still the owners of the property.
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A courtyard with two statues on pedestals, a gated entrance, and a building with arches and columns.

8. Cathedral of St Martin

The Cathedral of St. Martin has been part of Lucca since the 11th century. The elaborate architectural designs come from renovation work from the 12th century onward as little remains of the original building. Housed within is an ancient venerated crucifix.
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A grand hall with ornate blue and gold ceiling patterns and white columns.

What to do in Lucca

Stay near popular Lucca attractions

A street lined with yellow buildings, a sign for Via Becceria, and people walking and cycling.

Piazza Napoleone

8.8/10 (517 reviews)
Lucca's grand Piazza Napoleone features elegant Napoleonic design with tree-lined borders and historic buildings. Enjoy its vibrant atmosphere at a café or during the celebrated Lucca Summer Festival in July.
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Where to stay in Lucca

Find the best Lucca areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A historic cathedral with intricate architecture and a tall bell tower.

Lucca Historical Center

Unique features of Lucca Historical Center include the historical sites and cafes. Make a stop by Walls of Lucca or Guinigi Tower while you're exploring the area.

Mugnano

When in Mugnano, you can plan a visit to Porta Elisa and Sanctuary of Santa Gemma, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

San Donato

You'll appreciate the historical sites during your time in San Donato and you might want to plan a stop by Piazza Napoleone and Teatro del Giglio while you're in the area.

San Marco

San Marco might not have many top sights, but Basilica of San Frediano and Lucca Roman Amphitheatre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Pontetetto

Pontetetto might not have many top sights, but Teatro del Giglio and Piazza Napoleone are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lucca worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Lucca is visit Cathedral of St Martin. Tick this major attraction off your itinerary, then discover more of the area's camping and walking trails.
How do I spend a day in Lucca?
After you've visited key attractions like Palazzo Mansi National Museum and Real Collegio, spend some time discovering the food and retail options in Lucca.
What is the top tourist attraction in Lucca?
Don't leave without checking out Cathedral of St Martin, ranked the top tourist attraction in Lucca.
Is three days enough to stay in Lucca?
You can easily enjoy leading sights like Cathedral of St Martin, Teatro del Giglio and Museum of Torture with a three-day break in Lucca. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a little longer and venture to Pisa.
Is Lucca a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you plan to see and do in Lucca. Several sights, including Cathedral of St Martin and Teatro del Giglio, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Lucca's best neighbourhoods, Lucca Historical Centre is 0.32 kilometres away from downtown, while Massa Pisana is 3 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Lucca with kids?
If you're searching for sights and tours for all ages, take a look at these excellent ideas for what to do in Lucca with kids.

What to do in Lucca for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there's no shortage of things to do in Lucca for adults including Tenuta del Buonamico and Fattoria Sardigiustiniani s.s.a.
Are there free things to do in Lucca?
In Lucca, Cathedral of St Martin is a must-see spot for anyone looking to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, stroll around the local parks and neighbourhoods, and ask for tips from a local tour guide. It's a great way to discover the best free things to do in Lucca.