More about: Lucca Tours
Lucca is an Italian city on the banks of the Serchio River and is located in the region of Tuscany. The most famous feature of this town are its Renaissance walls that have been very well preserved over the years. Among the best things to do in Lucca are undoubtedly the tours through this phenomenal historical landscape.
In addition to the tours you can take to get to know the walls and the historic center, Lucca offers other entertaining plans. You can choose a gastronomic tour with an Italian wine tasting or an Italian cooking class and other modalities of these tours include electric bicycles and carriages. Do you like the idea? Then get ready for an adventure in Lucca!
1. One hour tour of the historic center and Renaissance walls in Lucca
A one-hour tour of the historic center is an excellent choice if you are traveling to Lucca for a day. This type of tour has an average cost of 100 €. You will be able to walk leisurely through 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 the tour. The first thing you will see on this type of tour is the approximately four kilometers long Walls of Lucca.
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 center 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 shop) 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 center 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 one hour, so you will not have much time to explore in depth every corner of the historic center.
2. Guided tour by electric bike and wine tasting
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 tour the highlights of the city. At the end you can enjoy a tasting of Italian wines. All this has an average cost of 100 € and an approximate duration of four hours.
If you do not know how to ride a bike very well, do not worry, in this type of tour you can use an electric bike. You will also be provided with a helmet for safety. Before starting, you will receive 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 appetizers. If you are still hungry for more Italian food, I recommend you to take a gastronomic tour in Lucca.
Interesting details
- Price: about 100 €.
- Duration: about 4 h.
- Means of transport: electric bike.
- Advantages of this option: instead of walking, which can be very tiring, you will be able to ride your bike without any problem.
- Disadvantages of this option: no long stops are included during the tour.
3. Private tour of Cinque Terre from Lucca
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. Because of 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: about 1000 €.
- Duration: approximately 9 h.
- Means of transport: private vehicle and ferry.
- Advantages of this option: you can get to know the first Italian national park and the smallest, but currently the most varied.
- Disadvantages of this option: you may have to cover many activities in a short time and not fully enjoy the different villages.
4. Market tour and cooking class in Lucca
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 has an average duration of five hours and an approximate price of 150 €.
If you like to share your passion for food, this tour is ideal for you. You will be able to talk with other tourists and even exchange Italian recipes. Together you can visit the local market indicated by the guide. There you will be able to see all the ingredients and foods that are prepared. In addition, you will help choose everything you need to cook.
After touring the market, your guide will take you to the house where you will receive your cooking class. Once there, you will be able to follow all the instructions of your host. You will learn the best secrets to choose the best for the dishes to be delicious. While cooking you can also enjoy some appetizers.
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 wish to encounter true Italian regional gastronomy through genuine connections, food and friendship.
Details of interest
- Price: about 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 that you arrive on time to the cooking class so you don't miss any of the steps to follow.
5. Carriage ride along the Renaissance walls of Lucca
Do you want to feel like 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 organizers 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 center. Then you will go to the Guinigi Tower, the Cathedral of San Martino and the Botanical Garden of Lucca.
The last highlights of this tour are the Via del Fosso di Lucca and the Palazzo Pfanner. After all this circuit you can return to the starting point. From there I recommend you to choose another plan to continue getting to know this city. As it has an average duration of one hour, you will have time to include another more complete plan.
Details of interest
- Price: about 90 €.
- Duration: about 1 h.
- Means of transport: carriage.
- Advantages of this option: it is a different option to get to know the city and walk through its medieval streets.
- Disadvantages of this option: in this type of tour you will not 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.
What to bring for a tour in Lucca?
To visit the Tuscan city of Lucca you should take into account the weather that will prevail during the period in which you travel. This way you will be able to choose the most suitable clothes to carry in your suitcase. This way you will be able to face hot or cold days.
Temperatures in Lucca do not usually drop below -3 °C, and do not rise above 34 °C in summer. I also recommend you bring a coat and a raincoat for cold days and very light clothing for the summer.
Many of these tours are on foot, 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 swimsuit. Bring it along with your sunscreen, remember that health is the most important thing.
Why take a tour in Lucca?
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 traveling 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, along the way while seeing the new sites you will be able to learn from all the historical and cultural knowledge that the guide has. This way you can return from your vacation knowing much more about this small Italian city.
On the other hand, private tours usually include comfortable transportation. This saves you from worrying about public transportation 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 transportation that give an original touch to the trip. They can be regular 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.
Let's compare the options
- One-hour tour of the historic center and its Renaissance walls in Lucca
- Price: about 100 euros.
- Duration: about 1 h.
- Means of transport: it is a walking tour. You can arrive by public transport to the historic center 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 one hour, so you will not have much time to explore in depth every corner of the historic center.
- Guided electric bike tour with wine tasting.
- 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 go by bike without any problem.
- Disadvantages of this option: no long stops are included during the tour.
- Private tour of Cinque Terre from Lucca
- Price: about 1000 €.
- Duration: about 9 h.
- Means of transport: private vehicle and ferry.
- Advantages of this option: you can get to know the first Italian national park and the smallest, but currently the most varied.
- Disadvantages of this option: you may have to cover many activities in a short time and not fully enjoy the different villages.
- Market tour and cooking class in Lucca
- Price: about 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.
- Carriage ride along the Renaissance walls of Lucca
- Price: about 90 €.
- Duration: about 1 h.
- Means of transport: carriage.
- Advantages of this option: it is a different option to get to know the city and walk through its medieval streets.
- Disadvantages of this option: in this type of tour you will not be able to make stops at the highlights along the way. Also, if you are a bit afraid of horses, this may not be the best plan for you.