First Timer’s Guide to Lucca Italy, Lucca, Italy

If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a medieval city wrapped in Renaissance walls, then Lucca Italy should be at the top of your list.

Nestled in Tuscany, this charming, historic town offers a peaceful yet culturally rich experience that’s often overlooked by first-timers traveling through Italy.

I spent two months in Lucca while I attended the Lucca Italian Language School. It was the perfect Italian town to spend the summer as it is walkable and easy to get to from the surrounding cities.

Unlike other Italian cities where walls are mostly ruins, here they’ve been transformed into a wide, tree-lined pedestrian and bike path.

Check the train schedules, as in the summer I visited, the direct line was not running from Florence to Lucca, so I had to transfer in Pisa. It was not much longer; it just wasn’t a direct train ride.

Once you arrive, the best way to get around is on foot or by bike. Keep this in mind when you decide which luggage to bring.

Even with my two backpacks, it was an uphill walk and down a few steps from the train station to get to my accommodation.

If you are only planning a one-day visit or just spending the weekend, here are the highlights of things to do. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).