Alone in Lucca!

I'd stay at a BnB or a small inn, and make sure that you will check in with an actual person, rather than a contactless check in. I find on trips in which I've used Airbnb, I may not even see the host.

Suggestions for what to see and do: walking or bicycling around on the tops of the walls is very pleasant and popular. The Palazzo Pfanner and particularly its gardens are lovely. There’s a sweet little Arboretum in the southeast corner of the city. As Puccini was born and raised there, there are regular concerts in his honor. There’s a tower with trees growing out of it (Torre Giunigi) that could be fun to climb, if that’s your thing.

I just finished a solo two-week trip to Poland. I stayed in hotels and believe it helped to reduce the sense of isolation that one can experience when traveling alone. For one thing, all hotels offered a buffet breakfast, and exchanging pleasantries and having a few conversations in the morning were definite advantages over an apartment. Plus having access to the hotel staff for questions and advice on where to eat, etc.

Stayed in Lucca in November for a few nights with friends - if you can score a room at Hotel a Palazzo Busdraghi for even part of your stay, go for it:

https://apalazzobusdraghi.it/it/

Friendly staff and great breakfast. They would have recommendations for dining.

I agree that staying somewhere with a host who can make suggestions and recommendations is a good idea.

We stayed at The B&B La Bohème in Lucca centro and it is charming with fancy little rooms but there are several BnBs. I don't see AirBnB making sense cost-wise since the price per person doesn't vary much, but it might be worth a search. I would definitely stay within the walls for the Lucca experience.

Every person from Lucca will tell you to walk or bike the walls. It is an extended local park where people take their kids, exercise, do yoga and generally mingle. There are many good restaurants, gellaterias and pasticcerias to wander and explore.

There have been several topics lately on day trips from Lucca since it is on the flat area and well served by train and with 9 days I would look into that as well. There are many cute towns within easy train reach of Lucca that would make good days trips.

If you're looking for additional ideas there is a Life in Lucca podcast I have been enjoying: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

Also check for any festivals or traditional events that might be happening in Lucca or the surrounding area while you are there.
There are many places to check but this one general one for Tuscany: https://www.discovertuscany.com/

Full disclosure I'm looking to spend a month in Lucca later this year so I have been doing my prep work on it.

Have a great trip!
=Tod

I stayed solo at the San Luca Palace. The staff is quite friendly, front desk, breakfast room, bar, etc. I don't travel by myself frequently and am not particularly outgoing, but I even met some fellow guests over aperitifs in the hotel bar.

I’m convinced with this advice to spend the extra money to stay in a hotel, it is about double an Airbnb however.
Thanks is so much for the advice and links.
Holly

We enjoyed staying at La Residenza del Proconsolo B&B. They seve breakfast, are very friendly, well-located (yet tucked away), and recommended great options for us. We lucked into being in town for the Christmas market, and did go to the Puccini concert not far away. I had a blast with macro photography while walking the wall; so many small plants make their home in the rocks. We also climbed the tower topped with trees - the last part of the climb is on open metal steps so if you're freaked out by heights, I'd avoid it.

Stand at the counter with locals at Caffe de Teatro; the owner is from Naples, and has excellent flaky sfogliatella. Have spritzers before, and dinner after the Puccini concert at Undici Undici.