I will be traveling to Lucca from Genoa in August and would like to know if is too long to stay there 5 nights. I will be there without a car so will use only public transport.
Thanks,
Wanda
Posted by
New Orleans
1224 posts
I was in Lucca for four nights several years ago and that was about right for me. Lucca is beautiful, and I greatly enjoyed the churches, musical history, and food. If your five nights is actually four full days on the ground, then five nights might be fine if you are willing to do a day trip or two. I enjoyed a day trip to Pistoia (probably about thirty minutes direct train). Pisa is an easy day trip too. I had planned a day trip to Carrara but the Carrara folks canceled because of the (winter) weather. The Lucca train station is an easy 10-15 minute flat walk from the historic neighborhood within the walls.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1185 posts
Hello Wanda, I spent 3 nights in Lucca last year and could have spent more time.
The (old) town itself is small, but very interesting and worth a couple of days exploring. We booked a walking tour and I find it really adds depth and context to old towns like Lucca. Unless you're looking to just "live like an Italian" I don't think there are necessarily 5 days to spend all in Lucca itself but Pisa is an easy day trip and Florence and La Spezia are slightly longer by train (both about and hour and a half) so if you want coastal or big city attractions they are available.
August will be hot so you should probably be realistic about midday activities - depending one where you're coming from - and plan accordingly.
Have a great trip,
=Tod