Best tours of Lucca

Lucca is an Italian town on the banks of the river Serchio and is located in the region of Tuscany. The most famous feature of this town are its Renaissance walls which have been very well preserved over the years. Among the best things to do in Lucca are undoubtedly the tours of this phenomenal historical landscape.

In addition to the tours you can take to see the walls and the historic centre, Lucca offers other entertaining plans. You can choose a gastronomic tour with an Italian wine tasting or an Italian cooking class and other forms of these tours include electric bicycles and carriages. Do you like the idea? Then get ready for an adventure in Lucca!

A one-hour tour of the historic centre is an excellent option if you are travelling to Lucca for a day. This type of tour costs on average €100. You will be able to walk around the highlights of this area accompanied by a guide who will tell you all the details, stories and curiosities of Lucca.

Lucca is a charming medieval city famous for its walls, towers, gates, churches, historic palaces and narrow streets. After meeting your guide, you can start your tour. The first thing you will see on this type of tour is the approximately four kilometres long Walls of Luc ca.

The Walls of Lucca were built in the 16th century to protect the city. Today, the walls are part of a beautiful public park ideal for strolling and enjoying the view of the surrounding countryside. After seeing this site, your guide will take you to the historic centre of Lucca, the oldest part of the city.

On the tour you will pass through Piazza Napoleone and Piazza San Michele (where you will see the church of San Michele). Other highlights of the tour include the Cathedral of San Martino, the Torre delle Ore, Via Fillungo (where you can go shopping) and the Basilica of San Frediano.

Interesting details

• Price: about 100 ¤.
• Duration: about 1 h.
• Means of transport: it is a walking tour. You can arrive by public transport to the historic centre to start the tour with your guide.
• Advantages of this option: you will have the opportunity to walk and get to know the city up close.
• Disadvantages of this option: it only lasts an hour, so you won't have much time to explore every corner of the historic centre in depth.

Do you like to ride a bike and feel the wind in your face? Well, when you visit Lucca you will be able to do so while getting to know this beautiful city. Accompanied by your local guide you will have the opportunity to explore the highlights of the city. At the end of the tour you can enjoy an Italian wine tasting. All this has an average cost of 100 € and lasts approximately four hours.

If you don't know how to ride a bike very well, don't worry, on this type of tour you can use an electric bike. You will also be provided with a helmet for extra safety. Before you start, you will be given a short talk to learn the basics about this vehicle. When everything is ready, you can start the tour with a small group of 10 people.

At all times you will be following your guide through the bike paths of Lucca. You will follow the path marked by the Walls of Lucca until your guide indicates the next stop. Don't worry if the road gets steep at the moment, the bike will do the hard work for you.

To finish, you will stop at a local wine estate. Here you can taste some exquisite wines. Take the opportunity to accompany them with small Tuscan snacks. If you are still hungry for more Italian food, I recommend you to take a gastronomic tour in Lucca.

Interesting details

• Price: around 100 €.
• Duration: about 4 h.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: instead of walking, which can be very tiring, you will be able to cycle without any problems.
• Disadvantages of this option: no long stops are included during the tour.

Are you looking for a unique and unforgettable trip along the Italian coast? Then a tour from Lucca to Cinque Terre is what you are looking for! This incredible adventure begins in the beautiful city of Lucca, with its stunning architecture. Due to all that these tours usually include, the average price is €1000 and the duration is approximately nine hours.

During the tour your guide will show you all the amazing places that the Cinque Terre national park has to offer. In total there are five towns that you will visit in this order: Vernazza, Corniglia, Monterosso al Mare, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Here you can enjoy a variety of mountain and beach scenery.

Delicious Italian food and local wines will not be missing on this tour. Italian ice cream is also a must. Your guide will be sure to take you out for Italian ice cream in Corniglia. In addition to eating, you will be able to tour beautiful historic villages and natural parks. You will also have time to enjoy the beach in Monterosso, swimming and sunbathing.

In each location you will enjoy a unique view and a different day. Your guide will always take you to the highlights of the site to take the best pictures. Remember that the price you pay includes a ferry ride, transfer by private vehicle from the hotel and back.

Details of interest

• Price: around 1000 €.
• Duration: approximately 9 hours.
• Means of transport: private vehicle and ferry.
• Advantages of this option: you get to see the first Italian national park and the smallest, but currently the most varied.
• Disadvantages of this option: you may have to cover a lot of activities in a short time and not fully enjoy the different villages.

Food is definitely one of the things you can't miss when you travel to Lucca. Italian gastronomy has an extensive and varied culinary heritage worth admiring. That's why one of the most recommended tours includes a visit to the market and a cooking class. This experience lasts an average of five hours and costs approximately €150.

If you like to share your passion for food, this tour is ideal for you. You will be able to talk to other tourists and even exchange Italian recipes. Together you can visit the local market indicated by your guide. There you will be able to see all the ingredients and foods that are prepared. You will also help to choose everything you need for cooking.

After visiting the market, your guide will take you to the house where you can have your cooking class. Once there, you will be able to follow all the instructions of your host. You will learn the best secrets of how to choose the best ingredients to make your dishes delicious. While you are cooking you can also enjoy some snacks.

Among the dishes to be prepared are pasta and tiramisu. At the end you will be able to taste your preparation. You will also be able to taste delicious local wines. This experience is the perfect choice if you want to encounter true regional Italian gastronomy through genuine connections, food and friendship.

Details of interest

• Price: around 150 €.
• Duration: about 5 h.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to learn about Italian gastronomy from a native expert.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you are not very good in the kitchen, it may be more difficult to prepare the recipes. However, the guide always makes sure that all participants achieve the objective.

Traveler Tip
Gastronomic tours are the most entertaining for some people. In order for you to fully enjoy it, in case you have any allergies or prohibitions, check the ingredients. It is also important to be on time for the cooking class so that you don't miss any of the steps.

Want to feel like you're in a fairy tale? Then I recommend you to ride along the Renaissance walls of Lucca in a beautiful carriage. This is a different and original way to tour this Italian city. The experience is almost magical and has an average cost of €90 for a tour of about an hour.

To start this tour you must go to the meeting point indicated by the organisers of this tour. Only three people can travel in each carriage, the driver, you and a companion. Please note that along the way you will not have a guide telling you stories and facts about each site. This tour is more focused on observing the streets and enjoying the experience.

Among the sites you will see are the Renaissance walls of Lucca. You will also walk from the top of the historic centre. Then you will go to the Guinigi Tower, the Cathedral of San Martino and the Botanical Gardens of Lucca.

The last highlights of this tour are the Via del Fosso di Lucca and the Palazzo Pfanner. After this circuit you can return to the starting point. From there I recommend you to choose another plan to continue exploring the city. As it lasts an average of one hour, you will have time to include another more complete plan.

Interesting details

• Price: around 90 €.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Means of transport: carriage.
• Advantages of this option: it is a different way of getting to know the city and exploring its medieval streets.
• Disadvantages of this option: on this type of tour you won't be able to make stops at the highlights along the way. Also, if you are a little afraid of horses, this may not be the best plan for you.

When visiting the Tuscan city of Lucca, you should take into account the weather during the period you are travelling. This way you will be able to choose the most suitable clothes to pack in your suitcase. This way you will be able to cope with hot or cold days.

Temperatures in Lucca don't usually drop below -3°C, and don't rise above 34°C in summer. You should bring a coat and a mackintosh for cold days and very light clothing for summer.

Many of these tours are walking tours, so you will need to wear comfortable shoes so you can walk around at your leisure. Some tours from Lucca head to the beach, so if that's your plan, don't forget your best swimming costume. Bring it along with your sunscreen, remember that health is the most important thing.

Lucca is one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany and well worth a visit. You will find beautiful buildings, streets and structures in medieval style. A tour in this place will be like travelling back in time.

Touring Lucca in the company of a local guide is the best option, as this person knows in detail all the directions of the city. Moreover, on the way while you see the new sites you will be able to learn from all the historical and cultural knowledge the guide has. This way you can return from your holiday knowing much more about this small Italian city.

On the other hand, private tours usually include comfortable transportation. This saves you worrying about public transport or finding your way around a new place. You just follow the tour guide and learn about everything around you.

Private tours also usually include different types of transport that add an original touch to the trip. These can be ordinary cars, but also electric bicycles or carriages. When they are of that style, the ride becomes more entertaining and enjoyable. Others are distinguished by having snacks, guided tours, among others.