What to do in Lucca

Activities, attractions and tours

Lucca showing a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Lucca featuring heritage architecture
Lucca which includes a statue or sculpture
Lucca which includes a city
Lucca featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Places to Visit in Lucca

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Lucca, Tuscany while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Lucca attractions from NZ$13, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Lucca tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 259 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Lucca. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Piazza Napoleone

The expansive, tree-lined Piazza Napoleone attracts large crowds with its cafés, fascinating architecture and rock concerts.
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Piazza Napoleone featuring cycling, road cycling and heritage architecture

2. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Sit at one of the many cafés with open-air seating and take in Lucca’s beautiful Piazza dell’ Anfiteatro while you sip on an espresso. Colourful buildings of varied height enclose the piazza on all sides. The piazza was built on the ruins of a second-century Roman amphitheatre, where crowds of up to 10,000 spectators would gather within the piazza’s walls to watch chariots race and gladiators fight to the death.
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Piazza dell\'Anfiteatro which includes outdoor art, a square or plaza and a statue or sculpture

3. Basilica of San Frediano

The exterior of the Basilica di San Frediano is adorned with an impressive Byzantine-style mosaic. This golden ornamental piece, which sits atop the wide façade, is a representation of the Ascension of Christ. Immediately below the work is a depiction of the Twelve Apostles. The inside of Basilica di San Frediano is just as beautiful as its lavish exterior, and the basilica houses extraordinary works of art as well as a mummified body of a saint.
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Basilica di San Frediano which includes interior views, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

4. Palazzo Pfanner

Experience the baroque grandeur of Palazzo Pfanner, one of Lucca’s premier sights. This 17th-century palace is renowned for its walled garden, excellent frescoes and classical music recitals. Originally built by the prosperous Moriconi family in the 1660s, the palace has changed hands several times over the years. The Pfanner family, who are the current owners, came into possession of the palace in 1865.
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Palazzo Pfanner showing interior views

5. Guinigi Tower

Standing 44 metres (145 feet) tall and topped by a centuries-old holm oak roof garden, Guinigi Tower is an intriguing sight to behold.
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Guinigi Tower featuring a city and heritage architecture

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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Church of San Michele in Foro which includes outdoor eating

7. Church of San Michele in Foro

Marvel at the scale and intensity of the Church of San Michele in Foro, the massive Roman Catholic basilica built over an original Roman forum. Gaze at its impressive façade, ascending straight up into the blue Tuscan sky. Its columns and arches lead up to the peak, crowned by a huge sculpture of winged Archangel St. Michael slaying a dragon. The marble itself is adorned with hundreds of small images of creatures both real and fanciful, carved faces and different patterns.
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Church of San Michele in Foro showing heritage architecture

8. Piazza San Michele

Piazza San Michele is located in the heart of Lucca and has been a centre for city life for almost two millennia. The piazza is located on the site of the ancient Roman forum, which was where public speeches, victorious processions and commercial and political affairs took place. Nowadays, visitors can explore and enjoy the piazza’s market, medieval buildings and restaurants.
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Piazza San Michele which includes a city, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Recommended things to do in Lucca

Number of things to do
259
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
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Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Lucca

Discover the most popular places to visit in Lucca

Piazza Napoleone featuring cycling, road cycling and heritage architecture

Piazza Napoleone

Lucca’s largest square is a communal hub and is where some of the biggest names in music perform.

Piazza Napoleone
Piazza dell\'Anfiteatro showing heritage architecture, a house and a city

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Relax in this attractive plaza, the former site of a gladiator arena. Once a year, this oblong piazza is completely filled with colourful flowers.

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro
Palazzo Pfanner showing interior views

Palazzo Pfanner

A walled Italian garden, outstanding artwork and classical music concerts await within this privately owned 17th-century palace.

Palazzo Pfanner
Basilica di San Frediano featuring heritage architecture

Basilica of San Frediano

This striking, Romanesque-style church contains numerous notable works of art, as well as the mummified remains of a saint.

Basilica of San Frediano
Guinigi Tower which includes forest scenes and heritage architecture

Guinigi Tower

Take in spectacular views of Lucca from atop this famous landmark, a beautiful medieval tower crowned with a rooftop tree garden.

Guinigi Tower
Church of San Michele in Foro which includes outdoor eating

Lucca Roman Amphitheatre

Emerge from Lucca’s narrow alleys into a unique piazza, built on the remains of an ancient gladiatorial arena.

Lucca Roman Amphitheatre
Church of San Michele in Foro showing heritage architecture

Church of San Michele in Foro

Showcasing the history of a remarkable town, this magnificent basilica was built on the ancient center of Lucca’s civic life.

Church of San Michele in Foro
Piazza San Michele which includes a city, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Piazza San Michele

This former site of the Roman forum is now a pleasant piazza with cafés, bars and a remarkable 12th-century church.

Piazza San Michele
Teatro del Giglio which includes heritage architecture, a statue or sculpture and a square or plaza

Teatro del Giglio

Watch an opera or a play at this historic city theater and opera house, which was designed in the early 19th century.

Teatro del Giglio

Explore areas of Lucca

Lucca showing a square or plaza, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Lucca Historical Center

5/5(16 area reviews)

Unique features of Lucca Historical Center include the historical sites and cafes. Make a stop by Piazza Napoleone or Teatro del Giglio while you're exploring the area.

Lucca Historical Center
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Pontetetto

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

Pontetetto

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Lucca

Massarosa

Massarosa

Photo "San Giuliano Terme" by Jeroen van Arkel (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original

San Giuliano Terme

Photo "Calci" by LigaDue (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by LigaDue (CC BY-SA)

Calci

Photo "Vorno" by LigaDue (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by LigaDue (CC BY-SA)

Vorno

Photo "Guamo" by LigaDue (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by LigaDue (CC BY-SA)

Guamo

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.

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