Luca / Pisa

We spent a night in Lucca as we traveled from Florence to the Cinque Terre. After leaving Lucca we stopped for a couple of hours in Pisa. They have a place to store your luggage at the train station there. I think it might be a bit much to stop in both Lucca and Pisa in one day. If I had to choose one over the other, I would definitely choose Lucca.

Logistically it's better to do Florence >> Pisa >> Luca >> Cinque Terre >> Lake Como

Notable towns to stop along the way between Cinque Terre and Lake Como would be:

Reggio Emilia (Italy)

Sestri Levante

Brescia

Parma

I would do it the following way, provided you don't have a ton of luggage. Take a direct train to Lucca, check your luggage and visit Lucca. There are several worthwhile sights covered in Rick's guidebooks, so pick the ones of interest to you. I would also plan for lunch in Lucca. When you're done exploring, retrieve your luggage, take the train to Pisa S. Rossore and walk to the Field of Miracles. Then return to Pisa S. Rossore to catch your train to Cinque Terre. The one downside of this option is that you'll have your luggage with you in Pisa, which would limit your options to visit the inside of cathedral, etc. It also places more emphasis on Lucca, but imo Lucca has more to offer. Note that you can buy both the Lucca to Pisa and Pisa to Cinque Terre tickets at the Lucca train station; just don't validate the second ticket until you're back at the S. Rossore station. You might be able to save a small amount by buying a Lucca to Cinque Terre ticket and making a stop in Pisa (allowed on regional trains provided you don't exceed the time limit), but why put your Pisa visit on a stopwatch.

Are you taking trains or driving?

Thanks for all the info. I will take everything into consideration. We are driving, so I think it’s simplifying things a little.
Where would be the best place to park in Luca?

Read this about driving in Italy and restrictions involved [ZTLs]; avoid leaving anything of value in a car when parked:

http://driventoit.blogspot.com/

You can check with others, but there is a strong opinion that having a car in the Cinque Terre is not a good idea. However, here are helpful tips:

https://cinqueterreriviera.com/driving-to-the-cinque-terre/

It was on 1989, but one of my most memorable travel days ever was a day trip from Florence to Lucca and Pisa. I saw them in that order, which worked very well. By the time I got to Pisa in late afternoon, the tour buses were leaving, the souvenir vendors were literally packing up, and the marble at the Field of Miracles looked lovely in the afternoon light.

However, I don't know the timings of seeing these two on the way to the Cinque Terre. I believe that would leave you less time for the two cities, as well as probably forcing you to see Pisa earlier, when it's probably still crawling with tour groups.

If possible I would spend a few hours in Pisa, but spend at least one night in Lucca.

In Lucca try to get a Hotel within the city wall and explore all there is within the wall: churches, old buildings, pedestrian zone, etc. You can even rent a bike and cycle on the wall around the old town.

Thank you for the “ driving tips” link. We will definitely review it. Should be ok. It’s not the first time for us driving through Europe but first time driving in Italy ( we only did trains before) . As of Cinque Terre situation we found a hotel with the parking in Monterosso and there we are going to navigate by foot , train and bout.
We have two fool days there. If anybody have any suggestions how to devise them better, pls share. Any equivalent substitute for Via de Amore?
Any good boat rentals with the guide?

You can check these links for boat rentals. There is a private guide that guide the tours.

https://www.cinqueterredalmare.com/en/

https://www.cinqueterreadventure.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk5-4qK_k4gIVilqGCh16vg1OEAMYAyAAEgJe7PD_BwE

Now that I know you're driving, I suggest visiting Pisa first and then heading to Lucca. No point in doubling back to Pisa. That only makes sense when taking a train, as most Lucca to Cinque Terre trains require a change at one of the Pisa stations. I would still suggest Lucca for lunch due to its many good restaurants.

Frank, thank you. Can you list couple of your favorite ones, pls.

Your original post didn't reference driving, so I assumed you were going to be traveling by train. That information makes all the difference.

For simple but tasty local food I like Trattoria da Leo. Although it's very busy at lunch hour, the waits to be seated aren't terrible. Nearby Vecchia Trattoria Buralli is less crowded but more expensive. They usually offer nice lunch specials which can be a good deal, or you can order from their regular menu. Edit: Lunch specials might be only Mon-Fri.

FWIW,
"Luca" = a man's name, translated into English as Luke
"Lucca" = a city in Italy

Kudos for spelling Cinque Terre correctly. That stumps a lot of people.

Thank you, all very much. I think I somewhat have a plan for that day thanks to your tips!