7 Best Tours in Lucca

Do you want to visit one of the most picturesque cities in Tuscany? Then you should visit Lucca and its beautiful attractions.
7 Best Tours in Lucca

More about: 7 Best Tours in Lucca

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. Tour of the historic center and renaissance walls in Lucca

Walls of Lucca| ©Yuri Rapoport
Walls of Lucca| ©Yuri Rapoport

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 visiting 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.

Buy a guided tour of Lucca

2. Guided tour by electric bike and wine tasting

Wine tasting day| ©Anastasia Fuller
Wine tasting day| ©Anastasia Fuller

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 lasts approximately 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.

Book a bike tour from Lucca to Pisa

3. Private tour of Lucca

Magdalena Bridge| ©Poul Degenkolv
Magdalena Bridge| ©Poul Degenkolv

Want to explore Lucca in a unique and personalized way? Then a private tour of Lucca is the best choice for you! This tour will allow you to discover the beauty of this charming Tuscan city at your own pace, with an expert guide who will reveal all its secrets. The average price is 160 € per group and the duration is approximately 2 hours.

During the tour, you will stroll through Lucca's historic streets and visit its most emblematic monuments, such as the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, the Guinigi Tower and the Cathedral of St. Martin. Your guide will tell you fascinating stories and curiosities about the city, while you enjoy its medieval atmosphere and charming old town.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to stop at traditional cafes and stores, where you can taste Tuscan delicacies and take home a special souvenir of Lucca. As this is a private tour, you can customize the route according to your interests and decide which places to visit at your leisure.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 160 € per group (up to 6 people).
  • Duration: about 2 h.
  • Language: available in English and Italian.
  • Group: private tour, only for your group.

Book a private tour of Lucca

4. Music tour in Lucca

People walking in Lucca|©Mannus Etten
People walking in Lucca|©Mannus Etten

Are you passionate about music and want to explore Lucca from a different perspective? Then a music tour of Lucca is perfect for you! This tour will take you through the most emblematic corners of the city, following in the footsteps of great composers such as Giacomo Puccini, born in this charming Tuscan town. The average price of this tour is 35 €, and its duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

During the tour, your expert guide will tell you about Lucca's musical history, highlighting key places such as Puccini's birthplace and ancient churches where masterpieces have been performed. In addition, you will enjoy an immersive experience with live music at some of the points along the route.

Lucca's atmosphere is completed by its beautiful squares and historic buildings. In addition, you will have time to taste a good coffee or a local wine in one of the traditional cafes of the city.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 35 €.
  • Duration: about 1 h 30 min.
  • Language: available in English.
  • Group: maximum 10 people.

Book your musical tour of Lucca

5. Night tour of the city

Cathedral of San Martino| ©Med Cruise Guide
Cathedral of San Martino| ©Med Cruise Guide

If you want to discover Lucca from a magical perspective, a night tour of Lucca is an experience not to be missed. Under the moonlight, the city reveals its most mysterious and enchanting side. This tour costs approximately 15 € and lasts 2 hours.

Your guide will lead you through the cobblestone streets, illuminated by ancient lanterns, while telling you fascinating stories and local legends. You will also learn the best-kept secrets of the city, passing by historic squares and iconic monuments.

The experience is completed with a stop to enjoy a glass of Tuscan wine in a traditional wine bar. This tour is ideal for those looking for a different and special way to explore Lucca.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 15 €.
  • Duration: about 2 h.
  • Language: available in English.
  • Group: maximum 15 people.

Book your night tour of Lucca

6. Market tour and cooking class in Lucca

Making pasta| ©joeymanley
Making pasta| ©joeymanley

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.

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.

7. Carriage ride along the Renaissance walls of Lucca

Carriage Ride| ©Frank Kresin
Carriage Ride| ©Frank Kresin

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.

What to bring for a tour in Lucca?

Streets of Lucca| ©Pug Girl
Streets of Lucca| ©Pug Girl

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.

Book a night tour

Why take a tour in Lucca?

Walls of Lucca| ©Yuri Rapoport
Walls of Lucca| ©Yuri Rapoport

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 have to 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. These 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.

Reviews from other travellers

4.5
· 3206 Reviews
  • D
    D.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    Good service, focused on the musical highlights that Lucca has and had. The Puccini Museum is magnificent, needless to say. I really learned a lot.
  • N
    N.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I had a great time!
  • S
    S.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    Nice tour, the guide gives a lot of musical and historical details about Lucca as well.
  • M
    M.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I didn't know that Puccini had been so brilliant. I had seen a documentary about him some time ago but the truth is that with this tour I learned much more. Apart from seeing where he was born, which is the Puccini Museum, it was a very nice experience. I was very happy with it, it earned my recommendation.
  • C
    C.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    We loved it!