Things to do in Lucca

Activities, attractions and tours

Lucca showing a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Lucca featuring heritage architecture
Lucca which includes a statue or sculpture
Lucca which includes a city
Lucca featuring heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
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Top places to visit

1. Piazza Napoleone

With rock concerts, cafés, interesting architecture and a wide open space, the sprawling tree-lined Piazza Napoleone has a broad appeal that attracts thousands of visitors every day.
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Piazza Napoleone showing street scenes, road cycling and cycling

2. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Pull up a seat at a pavement café, sip a strong espresso and people-watch in one of Lucca’s most beautiful squares. Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is enclosed by brightly colored buildings of uneven heights. It was built on the ruins of a second-century Roman amphitheater where chariots raced. More maudlin, gladiators once fought to the death in front of crowds of up to 10,000 spectators within the piazza’s walls.
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Piazza dell\'Anfiteatro which includes outdoor art, a square or plaza and a statue or sculpture

3. Basilica of San Frediano

The first thing that attracts your attention is the gold Byzantine-style mosaic at the top of the wide facade. The decorative piece represents the Ascension of Christ, below which are depictions of the 12 apostles. Inside the Basilica di San Frediano the views are just as arresting, with several notable works of art and the mummified body of a saint.
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Basilica di San Frediano featuring heritage architecture

4. Guinigi Tower

Rising 145 feet (44 meters) into the air and crowned by a roof garden of centuries-old holm oaks, Guinigi Tower is one of the most intriguing sights of the Lucchese skyline.
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Guinigi Tower featuring forests and heritage architecture

5. Palazzo Pfanner

Immerse yourself in baroque splendor in one of Lucca’s most elegant sights, Palazzo Pfanner, a 17th-century palace famous for its frescoes, walled garden and classical music concerts. The palace was originally built for the wealthy Moriconi family in the 1660s. Since then it has changed hands several times, coming into the possession of the Pfanner family in 1856. They are still the owners of the property.
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Palazzo Pfanner featuring interior views

6. Lucca Roman Amphitheatre

Stroll through one of the many archways into Lucca’s Roman Amphitheatre and you’ll notice bright yellow buildings arranged in an elliptical shape, a significant focal point in a unique destination town. Try to imagine the armed gladiators fighting beasts to the death for the entertainment of a roaring crowd. Up to 10,000 spectators once sat in the stands here. Originally an arena for gladiatorial blood sports, the structure became a fortified military base, a warehouse, a prison and eventually, a bustling city square.
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Church of San Michele in Foro showing outdoor eating

7. Church of San Michele in Foro

Marvel at the scale and intensity of the Church of San Michele in Foro, the massive Roman Catholic basilica built over an original Roman forum. Gaze at its impressive façade, ascending straight up into the blue Tuscan sky. Its columns and arches lead up to the peak, crowned by a huge sculpture of winged Archangel St. Michael slaying a dragon. The marble itself is adorned with hundreds of small images of creatures both real and fanciful, carved faces and different patterns.
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Church of San Michele in Foro featuring heritage architecture

8. Cathedral of St Martin

The Cathedral of St. Martin has been part of Lucca since the 11th century. The elaborate architectural designs come from renovation work from the 12th century onward as little remains of the original building. Housed within is an ancient venerated crucifix.
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Cathedral of St Martin which includes a church or cathedral, interior views and religious aspects

What to do in Lucca

Popular places to visit

Piazza Napoleone showing street scenes, road cycling and cycling

Piazza Napoleone

The largest square in Lucca is a favorite spot for socializing. Some of the biggest names in music entertain here.

Piazza Napoleone
Piazza dell\'Anfiteatro showing a house, a city and heritage architecture

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Unwind in the attractive square where Roman gladiators once fought. For one day of the year it is now completely filled with flowers.

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro
Basilica di San Frediano featuring heritage architecture

Basilica of San Frediano

A Romanesque-style church filled with many notable works of art and the well-preserved body of an 800-year-old saint.

Basilica of San Frediano
Guinigi Tower featuring forests and heritage architecture

Guinigi Tower

Gaze out over Lucca from one of the city’s most famous landmarks, a medieval tower topped by a collection of oak trees.

Guinigi Tower
Palazzo Pfanner featuring interior views

Palazzo Pfanner

A privately owned 17th-century palace that attracts the crowds for the beauty of its artwork and walled Italian garden.

Palazzo Pfanner
Church of San Michele in Foro showing outdoor eating

Lucca Roman Amphitheatre

Emerge from Lucca’s narrow alleys into a unique piazza, built on the remains of an ancient gladiatorial arena.

Lucca Roman Amphitheatre
Church of San Michele in Foro featuring heritage architecture

Church of San Michele in Foro

Showcasing the history of a remarkable town, this magnificent basilica was built on the ancient center of Lucca’s civic life.

Church of San Michele in Foro
Cathedral of St Martin which includes a church or cathedral, interior views and religious aspects

Cathedral of St Martin

Visit one of Lucca’s most sacred religious icons, an impressive building that is almost a millennium old.

Cathedral of St Martin
Teatro del Giglio showing heritage architecture, a statue or sculpture and a square or plaza

Teatro del Giglio

Watch an opera or a play at this historic city theater and opera house, which was designed in the early 19th century.

Teatro del Giglio

Areas of Lucca

Lucca featuring a square or plaza, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Lucca Historical Center

4.5/5(136 area reviews)

Unique features of Lucca Historical Center include the historical sites and cafes. Make a stop by Piazza Napoleone or Teatro del Giglio while you're exploring the area.

Lucca Historical Center
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Pontetetto

Pontetetto might not have many top sights, but Porta San Pietro and Teatro del Giglio are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Pontetetto

 

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Camaiore

Camaiore

Photo "Vorno" by LigaDue (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by LigaDue (CC BY-SA)

Vorno

Frequently asked questions

Is Lucca worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Lucca is visit Cathedral of St Martin. Tick this major attraction off your itinerary, then discover more of the area's camping and walking trails.
How do I spend a day in Lucca?
After you've visited key attractions like Palazzo Mansi National Museum and Real Collegio, spend some time discovering the food and retail options in Lucca.
What is the top tourist attraction in Lucca?
Don't leave without checking out Cathedral of St Martin, ranked the top tourist attraction in Lucca.
Is three days enough to stay in Lucca?
You can easily enjoy leading sights like Cathedral of St Martin, Teatro del Giglio and Museum of Torture with a three-day break in Lucca. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a little longer and venture to Pisa.
Is Lucca a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you plan to see and do in Lucca. Several sights, including Cathedral of St Martin and Teatro del Giglio, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Lucca's best neighbourhoods, Lucca Historical Centre is 0.32 kilometres away from downtown, while Massa Pisana is 3 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Lucca with kids?
If you're searching for sights and tours for all ages, take a look at these excellent ideas for what to do in Lucca with kids.

What to do in Lucca for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there's no shortage of things to do in Lucca for adults including Tenuta del Buonamico and Fattoria Sardigiustiniani s.s.a.
Are there free things to do in Lucca?
In Lucca, Cathedral of St Martin is a must-see spot for anyone looking to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, stroll around the local parks and neighbourhoods, and ask for tips from a local tour guide. It's a great way to discover the best free things to do in Lucca.

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