Florence

Florence to Lucca Day Trip

Florence shines as a city steeped in Renaissance wonder and Italian life, but there’s a treasure just an hour or so away that feels like a world unto itself, Lucca. With ancient walls, meandering lanes, and a laid-back pace, Lucca is an ideal day trip, ready to sprinkle your travels with beauty, food, and history. Let’s plan your most memorable day in Tuscany, traveler-style!

Transportation Guide: Getting to Lucca from Florence

There are three main ways to reach Lucca: train, car, and bus. Here’s how to choose the best fit for your adventure:

By Train

The train is the smoothest, greenest, and often most scenic way to reach Lucca. Direct regional trains run frequently from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Lucca, placing you within easy walking distance to the historic center. Enjoy countryside views and a relaxed start to your day.

Journey time: About 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 27 minutes
Frequency: 24 to 42 direct Regionale trains daily
Fare: Flat Regionale fare, currently €8.90 (no flexible “Economy” or “Super Economy” fares; those apply only to high-speed routes)
Validation: Only paper tickets need stamping before boarding; e-tickets/QR codes don’t.
Last train: The last Lucca→Florence train departs around 22:30 (10:30 PM) most days, but check the schedule before you go.

You can buy tickets securely on the official Trenitalia website or at the station’s self-service machines and ticket counters. Both are user-friendly and offer multiple languages. Make sure to select “Regionale” trains for this route. If you have a printed ticket, simply stamp it in the validation machines by the platforms before boarding.

By Car

If you love flexibility, renting a car lets you shape every detail of your day. The drive takes about 1 hour 10 minutes (traffic permitting) along the A11 highway, passing Tuscan hills and possible side-trip spots like small villages or scenic vineyards.

Pros: Total freedom for stops and photo breaks; explore less-visited countryside between Florence and Lucca.
Cons: Parking in Lucca is mostly outside the historic walls. Inside the walls, ZTL (limited traffic zones) apply, and parking is very limited.

If you do drive, look for the paid parking lots just outside Lucca’s walls and walk or rent a bike into town.

By Bus

The bus offers a reliable and budget-friendly alternative if you want a slower, overland ride. The Autolinee Toscane Firenze–Lucca (A11) line leaves from the T2 Guidoni tram terminus or from Piazzale Montelungo (next to Santa Maria Novella station) every two to three hours, generally taking 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

Pros: More affordable for groups and offers a different perspective of the Tuscan landscape.
Cons: Longer journey, less frequent service than trains, and possible delays due to traffic.

You can purchase tickets on the official Autolinee Toscane website or in person at bus terminals and designated points.

Tip: All transport timetables may change on religious holidays or festivals, so check close to your travel date for updates.

What to See in Lucca: Must-Visit Attractions

Once you arrive, Lucca’s magic is yours to uncover. Here are the top stops, easy to walk or bike between, each boasting its own flavor of Tuscan marvel.

The Walls of Lucca (Passeggiata delle Mura Urbane)

These ancient fortifications have become a lush, elevated park. Walk or cycle the entire ring (over 4km) and soak up panoramic views, locals picnicking, and centuries of history beneath the trees.

Location: Encircling the old city, entrance at Porta San Donato, Via delle Mura Urbane
Opening hours: Always open
Cost: Free

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

Once a Roman amphitheatre, this unique oval piazza is now ringed by brightly colored homes, restaurants, and shops. Grab a seat at a cafe and watch daily Lucchese life unfold, especially lively during market hours.

Address: Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, Lucca
Opening hours: Always open
Cost: Free

San Michele in Foro

Admire the remarkable Romanesque façade and step inside for a cool, contemplative break. Check out the intricate columns, and if you visit in the morning, note the slight change in hours.

Address: Piazza San Michele, Lucca
Opening hours: ~08:30 – 12:00 & 15:00 – 18:00 (hours may vary for religious holidays)
Cost: Free

Torre delle Ore (Clock Tower)

Climb Lucca’s medieval clock tower for the best city views, if you’re up for the steps! Kids and photographers both love catching Lucca’s rooftops and countryside rolling in the distance.

Address: Via Fillungo, Lucca
Seasonal hours:
Apr–Oct: 09:30 – 18:30
Closed in winter except special openings
Cost: €6
Tickets: Buy on official site

Guinigi Tower

This fairytale tower with oak trees growing on top is a “living symbol” of Lucca. The climb is steady, but the shady rooftop garden is the reward.

Address: Via Sant’Andrea, 41, Lucca
Hours: 09:30 – 18:30 (April–October)
Cost: €6
Tickets: Buy on official site

Cathedral of San Martino (Duomo di Lucca)

Lucca’s magnificent cathedral houses relics, stunning sculpture and works by Ghirlandaio and Tintoretto. Entry includes museum access; combo passes are also available for other church treasures nearby.

Address: Piazza Antelminelli, Lucca
Opening hours: Usually 09:30 – 18:00 (check website for holidays/festivals)
Cost: Standard ticket €10 (reduced €7); includes cathedral and museum. Combo tickets available.
Tickets: Official ticket info

Note: All opening hours and ticket prices may shift during local festivals or religious holidays, so it’s wise to double-check just before your visit.

Feasting in Lucca: Local Foods to Try

No day in Tuscany is complete without some authentic flavors! Lucca’s cuisine is hearty and rooted in tradition, these are the must-tries:

Tordelli Lucchesi: Hand-made pasta filled with seasoned meat and herbs, served in a rich ragù. Pure comfort food!
Buccellato: Sweet, anise-scented bread perfect for breakfast, a mid-morning treat, or enjoyed with wine by locals.
Zuppa di Farro: A rustic, nourishing soup starring local spelt, beans, and vegetables, an earthy Tuscan classic.

Look for these dishes at family-run trattorias and bakeries throughout the historic center.

Your Florence to Lucca Day Trip: Sample Itinerary

Morning

Wake up in Florence. Grab an espresso and pastry from a local café.
Head to Santa Maria Novella Train Station and take a Regionale train to Lucca.
Upon arrival in Lucca, start with a stroll or bike ride atop the Renaissance walls. Breathe in the cool Tuscan air and city views from above.
Enter the heart of the city through the gates and step onto Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. Snap photos and soak up the layered history.
Weave your way to San Michele in Foro and marvel at the intricate Romanesque design, inside and out.
If you’re feeling adventurous, climb Torre delle Ore to see Lucca from above.

Afternoon

Enjoy lunch at a local osteria, sample tordelli and a glass of Tuscan red.
Save room for sweet buccellato, perhaps as you meander towards the Cathedral of San Martino. Admire art, light a candle, sit in awe.
Climb Guinigi Tower to end your afternoon with unbeatable views and fresh air beneath stone-top trees.
Wander through little piazzas, browse artisan shops, or pause for a gelato in Piazza San Giusto or Piazza Napoleone.

Evening

Relax with an aperitivo as dusk glows on Lucca’s facades. People-watch from a terrace café, or stroll under the lanterns and stars.
Stroll back toward the station in time for the Regionale train to Florence. The last departure to Florence is usually around 22:30 (10:30 PM). Always check the official schedule before you go to confirm.

A Florence-to-Lucca day trip isn’t just a transfer between two cities, it’s a gentle passage from one Tuscan soul to another. Whether you fill your day with art, cycling, food, or simply relaxing, you’ll return to Florence with a heart (and camera) brimming with timeless beauty and new-found memories. As night falls on the Tuscan plain, board your returning train with a quiet arrivederci, already dreaming of your next Italian day out.