Lucca or Perugia

I like them both - but spent more time in Lucca. The walled in town is wonderful, and we rented bikes and rode around the top of the wall.

We also did a day trip to see several of the amazing Villas in the surrounding areas.
(I spent 3 nights)

Both are beautiful. Lucca is more touristed, but there is plenty to do. There are smaller hilltowns (such as Gubbio) near Perugia if you feel you want day trips. If you do go to Perugia, the pinotecca is wonderful.

With your description of what you want to do, I say Lucca. We have been to both and spent doir wonderdul days in Lucca. Many quesrioned what we did for foir days there. We enjoyed the town, good dining, just as you describe what you want. Rent bikes to ride tne city walls.

Perhaps you don't care, but it seems odd to be choosing between two places almost 4 hours apart. Doesn't your previous and next itinerary locations make a difference? Also, Lucca is one nice town, Perugia is a region. I wouldn't spend 4 nights in Lucca or even in San Gimigiano. I would pick a central place good for daytrips to places I might want to see, and one that was easy to use a car from.

Tim...our next location is Pienza. So, the drive is not problem. Perugia is a City.

I spent two weeks in Lucca a few years ago, and never ran out of things to do.
Have also been to Perugia and really liked it, too; so I guess I'm not much help here!

Thanks for all the responses....keep them coming

Lucca....but, stay within the walls for the best experience. I like walking the ramparts and sitting on the benches up there and people watching. We have had a picnic up there too. You can climb the tower for a great view of the city. The wine there is great and there are many great restaurants. Via Fullingo is the main shopping street. I stayed at a restored convent that is close to the back wall...Ostella San Frediano. If you are coming by train, the train station is right across the street from the city walls. I don't know how easy car parking will be to find inside the walls, however. If you like Puccini, you can hear his operas being sung in the evenings at a church and the coffee shop he frequented is still in business.

Another key difference, aside from population, is that Perugia is very hilly and Lucca is very flat. In Perugia, you'll usually have an escalator to get you up from one of the parking lots, or a bus up the hill might get you closer to your hotel with luggage, but you'll still navigate a number of steep streets as you explore.

Some great driving options around Perugia include Gubbio and other hill towns not served by train, and Deruta if you want to shop for ceramics.

In Lucca, you'll have a quicker walk to/from your car and be able to get out of town faster each day. The most obvious daytrip destination would probably be Volterra, if you haven't been there, or a coastal stop, but those are easier to reach by public transport on another trip.

We've stayed in Lucca and only visited Perugia on a daytrip, but I would definitely vote for Lucca. Loved it!