We are taking a cruise in September through Dialysis at Sea and we stop at LaSpezia for a day. I'm in the process of booking a private tour through Disabled Accessible Travel to Pisa briefly so my husband can see the tower, then Lucca for a couple of hours. If you've been to Lucca can you tell me if a car can go down most of the streets, if the sidewalks are scooter friendly - hoping not too crowded mid-September. My husband is disabled and we have a small folding scooter.
Also - for those who have been - what are the must see/must taste highlights? Our time will be short - perhaps at most 2 hours in Lucca - we cannot miss the boat and his dialysis sessions! Thanks!!
Posted by
585 posts
Lucca is a delightful city to just wander around. Once you are through the city walls it is pedestrian only but do recall we were dropped off right by the main gate in the the city walls. There is one wide street through the city which is cobble stone…managed to navigate them with my two wheeled suitcase without problem. The main piazza follows the shape of the old Roman amphitheatre and is full of nice cafes and restaurants. The biggest attraction is the city wall with its walking/cycle track. I know there are wheelchair accessible ramps to get to the wall. Google wheelchair accessible Lucca to find out all your options. It’s quite a long walk around the walls, could take the two hours you have. I really enjoyed Lucca.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1151 posts
Hello kvampotic,
Lucca is a mostly pedestrian city with cars generally running in a series of ring roads nearly the walls. Residents and deliveries can travel some of the streets but most of it is given over to people. There are not sidewalks as such there are just generally streets made of cobblestone or larger bricks.
If your transportation can get you inside the city walls and drop you off this is probably the best plan since vehicle travel is confusing and slow unless someone really knows the city.
With a short time in Lucca I would tour the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro - the oblong piazza based on the plan of the old Roman arena and several of the piazzas like Piazza Napoleone and Piazza San Michele with the church Chiesa di San Michele or the Basilica di San Frediano which holds the remains of Lucca's patron saint. Touring the wide path that circles the city on top of the walls gives a great view of the city.
I would encourage you to check Google street view for Lucca to get a feeling of the city.
Have a great trip,
=Tod