What to see in Lucca in one day, itineraries among small treasures not to be missed

When you think of organizing a trip to Tuscany, the first scenarios that come to mind are the historic buildings of Florence , the suggestive views of the Val d'Orcia or those of Chianti. Yet, next to Siena and Volterra, Lucca attracts attention. What to see in this city in one day? Concentrating everything in just 24 hours may seem like a challenge, but with a little care you can create an itinerary that touches all the most important points of the historic center .

The Renaissance walls

Let's start exploring Lucca from the perimeter area delimited by the Renaissance walls : four kilometers of pure wonder . They are so wide that a tree-lined avenue passes through them, so much so that they are often used for a walk, a run or a bike ride. Built with defensive purposes, today they have become the city's good living room. Why visit them? They are one of the symbols of the city, a cult place that cannot be missed in a one-day itinerary in Lucca and you can also enjoy a splendid panorama of roofs, medieval towers and postcard views.

Amphitheatre Square and Napoleon Square

We continue our itinerary designed to discover what to see in Lucca in one day by reaching the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, which with its iconic oval shape recalls the Roman amphitheater of which it preserves the layout. You enter from one of the four doors and it immediately expresses the atmospheres of the past. Outdoor tables, shops and laughter bounce off the colored walls where yellow ochre dominates above all. A small universe in which we recommend a coffee stop.

Large and regal, it is the cradle of the Ducal Palace and the backdrop to events such as the Lucca Summer Festival : Piazza Napoleone takes its name from its sister Elisa who ordered its layout in the 19th century.

The Cathedral of San Martino or Lucca Cathedral

Is it called the Lucca Cathedral or the Cathedral of San Martino ? Both names are valid. The building conquers everyone with an asymmetrical facade born from the desire to adapt to the existing bell tower. Inside it is pure enchantment. There are artistic masterpieces such as the Last Supper by Tintoretto , the Holy Face and the sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia.

Guinigi Tower and Clock Tower

You can visit the two towers that characterize the landscape of Lucca and its skyline. We are talking about the Guinigi tower and the Torre delle Ore . The first towers above the roofs with a very particular garden on top, while the second has 207 wooden steps to reach the top. Why is it so special? In addition to being the tallest in Lucca, it has an eighteenth-century clockwork mechanism that is still in perfect working order.

Botanical garden

It is not magical all year round, but from spring onwards the Lucca Botanical Garden is a real gem. An oasis of peace created in 1820 and still a green paradise where you can relax while walking among centuries-old plants and rare botanical collections. Don't miss the botanical museum and the pond with water lilies.

Church of San Michele in Foro and Basilica of San Frediano

Lucca has no shortage of churches, and there are many in the historic center. In addition to the cathedral, which we have already mentioned, we recommend visiting San Michele in Foro with its famous soaring façade in which the Archangel fights a dragon almost as if he had come out of a fairy tale. Equally unmissable is the Basilica of San Frediano, which will leave you speechless thanks to a golden mosaic that shines in the sun and a baptismal font from the 12th century in perfect condition.

Palazzo Mansi and the Art Gallery

Another stop not to be missed? Definitely Palazzo Mansi , a baroque building that tells of a sumptuous soul through artistic masterpieces that bear the signature of Tintoretto, Giordano or Beccafumi. The frescoed and furnished rooms restore the elegance of a bygone era. Art and history blend together perfectly.

Lucca Underground

Among the things to do in Lucca in one day there is also discovering the underground city : like many ancient buildings, it keeps under the bastions of the walls a maze of tunnels, passages and secret passages. Today they have been opened and can be visited, and for this reason we recommend joining a tour so that a guide can tell you some curiosities about them.

Pfanner Palace

Also not to be missed is Palazzo Pfanner , a noble residence that later became a brewery and film set. The frescoes inside leave awe on the face of anyone who visits it and not to be missed is the scenographic staircase, together with the park where a considerable number of baroque statues tell of the opulence of a past that no longer exists today.

Puccini's Birthplace Museum

Among the attractions to visit in Lucca is the Puccini Birthplace Museum . The composer, one of the greatest of all time, was born right here and grew up, allowing his talent for music to blossom. The museum houses original scores, letters, furniture and even the piano on which he composed some of his most famous works. A touching visit that tells the life, passions and music of a giant.

The Devil's Bridge

It is not located in the center but a short distance from the walls: the Maddalena bridge is one of the most photographed. It rises along the Serchio river and has earned over time the nickname of the Devil's bridge . Why? Its arch has a very high shape, almost disproportionate so much so that it has fueled legends and rumors that speak of pacts with the angel expelled from paradise.

What to see in the surroundings of Lucca

After exploring the city, there is nothing better than continuing the itinerary in Tuscany by exploring the surroundings. Just cross the walls and start discovering villages, castles and places in the province that are worth a visit.

One of the first places not to be missed is Pietrasanta , an open-air laboratory with the cathedral dedicated to San Martino that dazzles with its white given by the Apuan marble. Walking through the streets, you come across galleries, workshops and sculptures en plein air. But the real hidden treasure is the Museo dei Bozzetti, where dreams take shape in plaster models, tracing the journey from the idea to the work.

It is also worth stopping in Camaiore , a village born at the foot of the mountains and a stone's throw from the sea. Walking through the streets you are still struck by the smell of bakeries and pastry shops, but it is from here that paths start to reach historic places such as the grotta all'onda, a prehistoric refuge of Neanderthal man.

Other wonderful gems? Barga , with a cathedral dedicated to San Cristoforo and references to Pascoli, and of course Bagni di Lucca, a relaxing refuge that winds through woods and springs that enchanted Byron, Shelley, Puccini and Liszt.

Finally, among the places in the surroundings of Lucca not to be missed there is also Capannori , the symbol of the most elegant Tuscany with prestigious villas, castles and towers such as Villa Mansi where art and landscape coexist in harmony.