how many days would you recommend to stay in Lucca?

Well, to fully enjoy the culture, I would say no less than a year.

To sample the town and enjoy its restaurants, it's sights and to be able to relax, I'd try for four nights. That would allow a side trip to Pisa.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Hotel Melecchi last year - just outside of the walls with its own parking. Giovanni, the young manager speaks English. So far no website, though. Try through the tourist office.

Steve, we spent 3 nights. We made daytrips both days, one to Florence by train, and one to Siena and San Gimignano by car. We always returned for dinner in Lucca, which we loved. It is really a nice place to hang around and get comfortable.

Lucca is a nice walled city but pales in comparison to other nearby visits like Florence, Tuscany etc. Of course depending on where else you will be going in Italy I suggest staying one day and night plus a half day visit to Pisa. Stay within walking distance to or within walled Lucca.

I think 2 days and nights is the minimun to enjoy the culture of Lucca itself. Add more time if you want to use Lucca as a base to visit nearby cities or the surrounding countryside.

Thanks all for the advice. We'll shoot for 4 nights.

We stayed three nights in Lucca in late April. It is a good base. It has a wonderful passagietta (evening stroll). We loved LaMagnolia B&B, a block from the Roman Ampitheater, part of an historic palazzo. (Laura and friends are the best of hosts.) George, Pittsburgh

We were there for three nights in May and were ready to go at the end of that time. Lucca was a little too sleepy for our taste. It's great for daytrips, though, since the train station is just outside the walls.

We stayed at La Romea B&B and can't recommend it highly enough. Hands down the best breakfasts we've ever had in Italy. Fresh eggs made to order, for a start. Ask for the Red Room. It's beautiful.

http://www.laromea.com/english/bed_and_breakfast_lucca.html