My boyfriend and I are doing a bike trip in Tuscany in September and have 4 nights pre-trip. We fly into Pisa and we have been to the Cinque Terre already (pre-flood), to Florence twice and Siena twice, so were thinking of Lucca to help us get over jet lag and it appears there are public transit opportunities to other towns. We arrive in the late afternoon, and it appears getting to Lucca won't be too tough. We are not planning to get a car but I suppose we could get one for a day trip.
We will have an entire day and night in Pisa at the end of the trip. Thanks for any insights.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16385 posts
We spent two nights in Lucca at a nice apartment and we would have loved more time there to do daytrips. I don't think 4 nights is too long, especially if you rent a car one day and drive up to Bagni di Lucca and Castelouovo di Garfagna: http://www.castelnuovogarfagnana.org/index.php?pag=34 We rented from the Hertz office just outside the gate (I think the west side but I'd have to review a map). They did 1- and 2-day rentals. You could also rent bikes and bike the Serchio river path. I can send you the contact for the apartment by PM if you like. It has a nice kitchen and we enjoyed shopping at the local market and making dinner one night.
Posted by
Midwest, USA
88 posts
I spent time in Lucca 9/2010. (3 days and 2 nights). We rented bikes and rode the ramparts, went to the top of Guinigi Tower for GREAT views of the city and attended an AMAZING Puccini concert at the Church and Baptistery of San Giovanni. The walled city is easy to walk. The train station is right across the street from the walls. If you can not find enough to do in Lucca proper, the train station location is easy for a day trip somewhere else. I don't think you need bother with a car. I am planning to go back another time. It was very relaxing, yet visually stimulating. Enjoy, Susanna
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
You might want to do a day trip to Volterra, Colle val d'Elsa and possibly San Gimignano. These are beautiful smaller hilltowns. I think that you can do all of this on Bus 1999. Here's a LINK to the bus website. You can get to Volterra in 3.0hrs. San Gimignano would take another 2.0hrs.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA, USA
1 posts
My family and I spent 11 nights in Lucca last year and loved every single moment. We took day trips to Florence, Cinque Terra, many other beaches, Pisa, Pistoia and Pescia but also enjoyed spending time around Lucca. We met many locals, spent our evenings attending outdoor concerts movies and concerts. You won't need a car for a day trip as there is very easy access to the train station. Other day trips from Lucca include Barga, Montecatini Terme, Via Reggio. We fell in love with Lucca and are heading back to spend even more time next June!! Enjoy!!
Posted by
Western Canada
3148 posts
I spent 14 nights in Lucca this May, and loved every minute. It's a beautiful small city with lots to do, and you will not be bored. We went to Pisa and to CT by train for day trips; and rented a car and drove up to Barga and beyond one day. I was loathe to leave for Florence at the end; and Florence is my favourite city! You will love Lucca; and I hope you will stay longer than 4 days.
Rent an apartment.