Exploring Lucca
One of the most notable and enchanting cities in Tuscany, Lucca is known for its Renaissance walls inside which you will find elegant cobbled streets, beautiful piazzas and promenades.The first fortified walls ever constructed around Lucca date back to ancient Rome but the ones you see standing today are from the Renaissance era, dating back to the 1500s. The most unique part of Lucca has to be the elevated and expansive park and walking trail that lines the entire fortification. It’s the perfect place to get a bird’s-eye view of the historical center of the city, as well as cool off on a hot day during Italian summer.
The town is very walkable, whether you are strolling the city walls, window shopping along Via Fillungo or taking in the lively scene at one of the major squares. Lucca allows visitors to take a more unhurried approach with so much to enjoy.Be sure to take advantage of Casa Campolattaro's bikes and take a ride around the wall to get your bearings as you explore this wonderful town. A week-long stay in Lucca could include all of the sites below, plus some day trips to neighboring cities such as Florence and Pisa.
The Walls
Lucca’s encircling defensive walls are one of its most endearing features and offer a lovely way to get some exercise and have a different perspective on the city and the surrounding countryside. The 4.2 kilometer (2.6 mile) long wall that was once meant to keep people out has become one of the main reasons for people to visit Lucca! Fully intact and open to non-motorized traffic it offers a unique view of the town as well as a leisurely way to spend time exploring. A trip to Lucca wouldn't be complete without a bike ride around the walls or catching the sunset over the western walls.
Piazza dell’Anfiteatro
Since Roman times, the historic center of Lucca has expanded around its famous amphitheater. Once the Roman amphitheater, this Lucca icon has since been transformed into a lively eliptical square with apartments and restaurants, but it can still only be reached through the gates that once offered entrance to the arena. The lowest one of these is part of the original structure of the amphitheater. To enter the market square is to follow in the steps of the Lucchese from ancient times until now.
Towers
Back in the Middle Ages, the towers of Lucca had been growing like mushrooms, with collapses being commonplace. The towers were built higher and higher in the belief of their owners that the height equaled respect.
As you take in breathtaking views of the whole city from the walls, you can't miss the two tall towers rising above all the other palaces. These are Torre Guinigi and Torre delle Ore, the tallest and most symbolic buildings in the city. Be sure to allow time to climb both during your stay.
Churches
Known as 'the city of 100 Churches,' Lucca has an impressive range, with examples from many important eras. From the renaissance and gothic, to medieval and Roman. While not exactly 100 in number, it would be impossible to properly visit all the churches of Lucca in a day.
Gardens
Explore the green spots of the gardens that can usually be seen only from the top of the towers, hidden by high walls in the historic center of Lucca. Palazzo Pfanner, Orto Botanico di Lucca and Giardino Degli Osservanti. Of course, at Casa Campolattaro you have a beautiful garden right outside your window!
Puccini
Leading Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini, was born in Lucca, Italy in 1858 and spent his childhood in Lucca. The famous opera composer's house has been restored in the style of the mid-nineteenth century and made into a small museum that is open to the public.
Shopping & Markets
Fashion is a vital part of Italian culture and a visit to Italy would be incomplete without a shopping trip down Lucca's main shopping district on Via Fillungo and Via Santa Lucia. One can easily spend hours perusing these elite shopping zones as well as the charming boutiques lining the narrow lanes. Cross-street, Via Buia, also has a number of chic boutiques. Every Wednesday and Sunday you will find a market where you can find anything from local delicacies to clothing. On the third Sunday of each month there is an Antiques/flea market to be enjoyed.
Dining
Ideally situated near the region’s fertile farms and the bounty of the nearby Ligurian Sea, Lucca is a Tuscan gem that celebrate authentic Italian food. You won’t have to settle for cliché dishes picked from a cheesy English menu tailored for tourists.
Restaurants, bars, and cafes are plentiful in Lucca Centro Storico and it's a foodies' paradise! Grab a morning cappuccino and pastry, a light aperitivo or experience a Tuscan tasting menu...it's all within easy reach. The Michelin Guide lists several restaurants within the walls where you can enjoy fine dining. casual options on nearly every corner.
Events
Lucca is the home to several notable major events throughout the year. The largest, the annual Summer Music Festival with past artists including: Celine Dion, Tracy Chapman, Sting, Elton John, Neil Young, Justin Bieber and John Legend, in addition to the greatest of Italian artists.
Lucca Comics is an enormous event for lovers of cartoon characters, animation and science fiction. To check out what events are happening during your stay, go to this site. The Lucca Film Festival is an annual event that has been held in Lucca since 2005, celebrating and spreading film culture