Things to Do in Lucca: The Walls, Towers, Churches and Puccini (2026)

The main things to do in Lucca fit inside a ring of Renaissance walls. Inside, you will find a Roman amphitheater turned into a piazza, a tower with trees on its roof and Puccini’s birthplace. As a result, Lucca works well as a calm day trip from Florence or Pisa.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Things to do in Lucca at a glance

Walk or cycle the walls of Lucca

The walls are the first of the things to do in Lucca, and they are free. According to the city’s official tourism FAQ (checked September 2026), the circuit is 4.2 kilometers long and open to everyone. In addition, the same page says a brisk walk takes about 45 minutes, although an hour is more relaxing.

The current walls took more than a century to build, from 1513 to 1650. However, they never faced a real siege. Today, the ramparts form a wide park with trees and lawns. Many visitors rent a bike near the gates and ride the loop. Go early in the morning for joggers and quiet, or before sunset for the light on the Apuan Alps.

Climb the Guinigi Tower

The Guinigi family, rich merchants and bankers, built this tower in the 14th century. Then, in the early 1400s, they planted a garden at the top, and the holm oaks still grow there. According to Turismo Lucca (checked September 2026), the tower is 45 meters high. You reach the roof on 230 steps, and there is no elevator.

The same source also notes that you pay to enter and that you must book on weekends and holidays. Also, the nearby Torre delle Ore, the clock tower on Via Fillungo, is the other tower you can climb. Choose one if you are short on time; the Guinigi Tower has the more famous view.

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and Via Fillungo

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro follows the oval of a Roman amphitheater. Over the centuries, people built houses into its ruins. Then, in the 19th century, the city cleared the center and created the piazza. As a result, the ring of pastel houses still traces the old arena.

From here, Via Fillungo is the main shopping street. It is narrow and busy, with old shop signs. Stop at a café, then keep walking toward the towers.

Churches to see in Lucca

Locals like to say Lucca has a hundred churches. You do not need to see them all; however, three stand out.

• Cathedral of San Martino: it holds the Volto Santo, a carved wooden crucifix. In addition, it holds the marble tomb of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia, a key early Renaissance sculpture.
• San Michele in Foro: it stands on the site of the Roman forum. Its white facade rises in rows of small columns, with the archangel Michael on top.
• San Frediano: look for the gold mosaic on the facade. Inside, the church keeps a carved Romanesque baptismal font.

In addition, every year on the evening of September 13, the city holds the Luminara di Santa Croce. It is a candlelit procession for the Volto Santo through the old town.

The Puccini Museum and music in Lucca

Lucca is the hometown of Giacomo Puccini, the composer of La Bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly. He came into the world here in 1858. His birthplace on Corte San Lorenzo is now the Puccini Museum. According to the official museum site (checked September 2026), it shows furniture, paintings and documents of the Puccini family. It also offers an audioguide and guided tours.

Opening hours change by season, so check the site before you go. Also, look for evening concerts of Puccini arias in the town’s churches, which run for much of the year.

Planning your day: things to do in Lucca and nearby

Lucca sits on the railway between Florence and Pisa. Regional trains stop just outside the southern walls, so you can visit without a car. By contrast, a car helps for the villas and hills around the city. However, the old town has a limited traffic zone, so read our guide to driving in Italy first.

For a full day, walk the walls in the morning and climb the tower before lunch. Then, spend the afternoon on the churches and the Puccini Museum. Finally, go back up on the walls for sunset. If you have more time, combine Lucca with Pisa; the Pisa tour with the Leaning Tower is an easy add-on. Our list of the best day trips from Florence shows other options.

Around the start of November, the town fills for a major comics and games festival; see our guide to Lucca Comics & Games. It runs over Halloween, so see Halloween in Italy for the rest of that week. Also, our guide to Tuscan food covers what to order. Finally, our Tuscany travel guide puts the city in context.

Want to see Lucca from the saddle? Our Lucca bike tour comparison sets a bikes-and-bites ride against an e-bike ride with wine, with prices and ratings read on Viator.

Pisa is a short train ride away; see the best things to do in Pisa beyond the tower.

Staying overnight in Lucca? Compare places to stay below, and see our Tuscany itinerary to plan the rest of the trip.

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Things to do in Lucca: frequently asked questions

Is one day enough for Lucca?

Yes. One full day covers the walls, the Guinigi Tower, the Anfiteatro, the main churches and the Puccini Museum. However, stay overnight for a quieter evening.

Can you walk on the walls of Lucca?

Yes. The walls are free and open to everyone. The loop is 4.2 kilometers and takes about 45 minutes to an hour on foot.

How many steps does the Guinigi Tower have?

According to Turismo Lucca, there are 230 steps to the roof garden and no elevator. Also, you must book on weekends and holidays.

Do you need a car to visit Lucca?

No. Regional trains link Lucca with Florence and Pisa, and the station is a short walk from the walls. A car helps only for the villas and hills outside the city.

What is Lucca famous for?

Its intact Renaissance walls, its many churches and the tree-topped Guinigi Tower. It is also the hometown of the composer Giacomo Puccini.