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Lucca or Pisa for 1 day

Ciao a tutti ! I’m planning a trip from the south up to the north and both of these cities would be easy stop. Preferences? Vibe is more important than sites.

Thanks!
Lisa

Posted by
1144 posts

Hello harrinanan,

If you're looking for lifestyle over sites I would definitely say Lucca. If you want sites the opposite is true since Pisa has the big sites and Lucca does not. It has some churches but nothing to compete with The Leaning Tower.

Old town Lucca has a many old buildings, charming little piazzas, cafés, restaurants, upscale storefronts and people just living their lives surrounded by the old fortified walls and running greenbelt. If that sounds like what you're looking for that's Lucca.

Have a great visit,
=Tod

Posted by
7879 posts

Definitely Lucca! Be sure to either stroll or rent a bike for the city wall for a social activity, plus there’s a small restaurant and a nursery up there.

I’ve been to Pisa twice and stayed overnight last time to attend a festival. It just doesn’t have the same atmosphere, even away from the Field of Miracles.

Posted by
11606 posts

Hands down, Lucca!! Ride bikes on the city walls and enjoy a meal of the local cuisine. We spent four days within the walls, a wonderful experience!

Posted by
1144 posts

My votes:

Artsy Gelato with unusual flavors - Gelateria De' ColtelliVia S. Paolino, 10 (just off Piazza San Michelle)
Cecina (salted chickpeas pie) from the oldest place around as well as other local delicacies like chestnut flour crepes.
https://en.pizzeriadafelice.it/from-felice/ Via Buia, 12

Enjoy!
=Tod

Posted by
10634 posts

Another vote for Lucca, We enjoyed renting bikes and riding around the top of the wall and around town.

Posted by
508 posts

I took a day trip last August from Florence to Lucca and enjoyed a few relatively quiet hours there (I believe I was there on a Monday and there were some closures). I then took the short train ride to Pisa just to see (but didn't go up) the Leaning Tower. Going to both Lucca and Pisa as a day trip was easy to accomplish.