I've been reading the blog "Two Parts Italy" since its first days about seven years ago and have mentioned it in the Italy Forum a few times already --- the American author lives in Lucca and writes about it and other places in Italy (and Europe). Her photos are especially good! https://www.twopartsitaly.com/
We only spent two nights in Lucca many years ago and I am now convinced we'd better return.
We'll be there next month, but just for a day on a cruise stop. I've heard so many wonderful things about Lucca!
Thanks for this, Nancy! I'd somehow missed the previous mentions and just took a peek: Great snaps!
We rented an apartment inside the wall for 2 weeks last September. We loved the city, the train station is conveniently located to do day trips..
We also spent several nights within Lucca’s walls, a wonderful stay.
We found Orvieto remarkably unspoiled by its popularity 23 years after the first time we stayed there ---- hoping to find Lucca the same 12 years later!
Please report back, we will be in Lucca spring, 2025. Safe travels!
We rented a place in the west side of Lucca inside the walls (on Via Galli Tassi). I would absolutely recommend that area. It was a tiny bit of a walk to places like the Amphitheater or Torre Guinigi but I loved how quiet the neighborhood was at night. It seemed a lot more residential than other places closer to the core so it had nice amenities filled with actual residents.
I just found your post as we are considering a day trip to Lucca on Sunday (from Sestri Levante) and your comments convicted me we should do it!
(Especially your comparison to Orvieto, my favorite Italian town!)
Should we include Pisa in the day trip or just focus on Lucca?!
If you can visit Pisa on a separate day trip, I would do that --- there is so much more to Pisa than the tower, plus Lucca would not seem so relaxing and friendly if you had to rush off to another place!
We spent 6 nights in Pisa and pretty much ignored the tower except for its exterior and liking to watch people trying to get a funny photo of it.
In the Field of Miracles
Duomo
Battistero di San Giovanni (door & tops of inside columns with beasts & monsters, sculptures inside)
Camposanto (my favorite with such interesting frescoes and its history)
Museo delle Sinopie del Campo Santo --- drawings for the 12th & 13th century frescoes
Opera del Duomo Museum
Plus have a snack and see the view at the + 3.9 Caffè Panoramico (open until 8pm, must book)
Interesting churches
Santa Maria della Spina
San Piero a Grado .....20 mins by bus --- Deodato Orlandi frescoes: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cienne/sets/72157600114508041/
San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno and behind it is Cappella di S. Agata (8-sided)
San Francesco --- 13th century frescoes
Santa Caterina facade
San Sisto, Santa Cecilia, San Silvestro --- Islamic ceramic bowls on exteriors
San Michele in Borgo --- writing on the exterior stones
SS. Felice & Regolo, via Ulisse Dini, ancient Roman capitals
Interesting museums
Museo Nazionale di San Matteo --- history of Pisa, sculptures from cathedral, 12th & 13th century paintings including Nicola Pisano, Donatello, Simone Martini, & Fra Angelico
Le Navi Antiche di Pisa --- naval museum: https://www.wanderingitaly.com/blog/article/1184/historic-ship-museum-pisa?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WanderingItalyBlog+%28Wandering+Italy+Blog%29
Gipsoteca di Arte Antica --- nicely weird gallery of plaster casts of famous sculptures
Egyptian museum --- Collezioni Egittologiche
Interesting things to see or do
3 km walk on top of Pisa's city walls, book a visit: https://www.muradipisa.it/organizza-la-tua-visita/#orari
Botanical Garden
Domus Mazziniana --- literally has writing covering its exterior wall
Piazza Chiara Gambacorti, locals call it Piazza della Pera
Vettovaglie Market open daily (except Sunday) 7 a.m. till 3 p.m.
Palazzo della Carovana facade (in P. dei Cavalieri)
Half-day trip to Museo Piaggio --- open Tuesday to Saturday, Voluntary 5 euros/each. 20 mins by train. Must book online.
Other leaning towers in Pisa:
*San Michele degli Scalzi --- bell tower tipped at a five degree angle
*Guelfa Tower --- there's a view if it's open
