Lucca—how much time there?

The walls are actually green spaces as well, don't forget! The rest of the walking in the town would be down streets, but the top of the walls are the biggest park there :)

Three nights is plenty. Katherine is spot on about the green spaces on the walls around the town. Great walk.

We had 4 nights and 3 days in 2021. There are some piazzas with some greenery, like Piazza Napoleone, but it’s not a major stroll. There are also green spaces atop the walls, especially in the corners, off of the paved pathway. There’s also the Torre Guinigi, a tower palace with a garden and trees on top.

There is a long, wonderful green belt outside the old town walls, along the Serchio River. I biked along it for several miles, but walking would certainly be rewarding.

I spent two weeks there a few years ago and loved it.
Just because it doesn’t have any “amazing attractions”, it is still lovely.
There is plenty to keep you busy there, or just to go and enjoy it for what it is.
Less people traipsing through as well.

Only you know how much “dolce far niente” you want.

We can tell you that it has a nice, walkable wall that is a pleasant experience and it is nice to explore the city streets. I had great focaccia there, too. I don’t know that I’d spend more than a few nights there, but I gravitate towards larger cities. Others like smaller towns.

A smaller town will probably have smaller crowds and afford you the chance to “make friends” if you frequent the same spots while there.

I previously stayed 3 nights in Lucca and I think it is a good period of time if - as others have said - you are interested in hanging out and experiencing Italian life in a smallish town with the best parts of life squeezed inside the walls. That stay is essentially two full days and I think Lucca will support that. The history of the town is interesting and few hours with a local tour guide will add tons of context and insight if that interests you.

If you were thinking more than 3 nights I would look into day trips - there are a bunch of interesting ones - and since Lucca has a glut of good restaurants it would make a good place to return to for spritz and dinner. Search for Lucca day trips as there have been several threads recently.

Full disclosure - I'm headed to Lucca for an extended stay to exactly that - to live the Lucchesi Italian lifestyle for a while. So I obviously think it offers a lot for people if not that much for general tourism.

Have a great trip,
=Tod