Things to do in Lucca

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Lucca which includes heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Lucca featuring heritage architecture
Lucca showing a statue or sculpture
Lucca featuring a city
Lucca which includes heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
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Lucca must see attractions

1. Piazza Napoleone

With rock concerts, cafés, interesting architecture and a wide open space, the sprawling tree-lined Piazza Napoleone has a broad appeal that attracts thousands of visitors every day.
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Piazza Napoleone showing heritage architecture, a city and road cycling

2. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Pull up a seat at a pavement café, sip a strong espresso and people-watch in one of Lucca’s most beautiful squares. Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is enclosed by brightly colored buildings of uneven heights. It was built on the ruins of a second-century Roman amphitheater where chariots raced. More maudlin, gladiators once fought to the death in front of crowds of up to 10,000 spectators within the piazza’s walls.
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Piazza dell\'Anfiteatro which includes outdoor art, a square or plaza and a statue or sculpture

3. Basilica of San Frediano

The first thing that attracts your attention is the gold Byzantine-style mosaic at the top of the wide facade. The decorative piece represents the Ascension of Christ, below which are depictions of the 12 apostles. Inside the Basilica di San Frediano the views are just as arresting, with several notable works of art and the mummified body of a saint.
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Basilica di San Frediano which includes heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and interior views

4. Palazzo Pfanner

Immerse yourself in baroque splendor in one of Lucca’s most elegant sights, Palazzo Pfanner, a 17th-century palace famous for its frescoes, walled garden and classical music concerts. The palace was originally built for the wealthy Moriconi family in the 1660s. Since then it has changed hands several times, coming into the possession of the Pfanner family in 1856. They are still the owners of the property.
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Palazzo Pfanner which includes interior views

5. Guinigi Tower

Rising 145 feet (44 meters) into the air and crowned by a roof garden of centuries-old holm oaks, Guinigi Tower is one of the most intriguing sights of the Lucchese skyline.
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Guinigi Tower which includes heritage architecture and a city

6. Lucca Roman Amphitheatre

Stroll through one of the many archways into Lucca’s Roman Amphitheatre and you’ll notice bright yellow buildings arranged in an elliptical shape, a significant focal point in a unique destination town. Try to imagine the armed gladiators fighting beasts to the death for the entertainment of a roaring crowd. Up to 10,000 spectators once sat in the stands here. Originally an arena for gladiatorial blood sports, the structure became a fortified military base, a warehouse, a prison and eventually, a bustling city square.
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Church of San Michele in Foro featuring outdoor eating

7. Church of San Michele in Foro

Marvel at the scale and intensity of the Church of San Michele in Foro, the massive Roman Catholic basilica built over an original Roman forum. Gaze at its impressive façade, ascending straight up into the blue Tuscan sky. Its columns and arches lead up to the peak, crowned by a huge sculpture of winged Archangel St. Michael slaying a dragon. The marble itself is adorned with hundreds of small images of creatures both real and fanciful, carved faces and different patterns.
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Church of San Michele in Foro showing heritage architecture

8. Piazza San Michele

Piazza San Michele in Lucca’s city center has been a hub of city life for almost 2,000 years. The square occupies the site of the old Roman forum, the venue for triumphant processions, public speeches and commercial and political affairs. Today, join visitors and residents alike to explore its restaurants, medieval buildings and market.
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Piazza San Michele featuring a square or plaza, night scenes and a church or cathedral

What to do in Lucca

Discover the most popular places to visit in Lucca

Piazza Napoleone showing heritage architecture, a city and road cycling

Piazza Napoleone

4.5/5(34 reviews)

The largest square in Lucca is a favorite spot for socializing. Some of the biggest names in music entertain here.

Piazza Napoleone
Piazza dell\'Anfiteatro which includes heritage architecture, a house and a city

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

4.5/5(75 reviews)

Unwind in the attractive square where Roman gladiators once fought. For one day of the year it is now completely filled with flowers.

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro
Basilica di San Frediano which includes heritage architecture

Basilica of San Frediano

4.5/5(17 reviews)

A Romanesque-style church filled with many notable works of art and the well-preserved body of an 800-year-old saint.

Basilica of San Frediano
Palazzo Pfanner which includes interior views

Palazzo Pfanner

4.5/5(33 reviews)

A privately owned 17th-century palace that attracts the crowds for the beauty of its artwork and walled Italian garden.

Palazzo Pfanner
Guinigi Tower which includes forest scenes and heritage architecture

Guinigi Tower

4.5/5(62 reviews)

Gaze out over Lucca from one of the city’s most famous landmarks, a medieval tower topped by a collection of oak trees.

Guinigi Tower
Church of San Michele in Foro featuring outdoor eating

Lucca Roman Amphitheatre

Emerge from Lucca’s narrow alleys into a unique piazza, built on the remains of an ancient gladiatorial arena.

Lucca Roman Amphitheatre
Church of San Michele in Foro showing heritage architecture

Church of San Michele in Foro

4.5/5(37 reviews)

Showcasing the history of a remarkable town, this magnificent basilica was built on the ancient center of Lucca’s civic life.

Church of San Michele in Foro
Piazza San Michele featuring a square or plaza, night scenes and a church or cathedral

Piazza San Michele

5/5(9 reviews)

Once the site of the Roman forum during ancient times, now this piazza is a delightful square of bars, cafés and an unfinished 12th-century church.

Piazza San Michele
Cathedral of St Martin showing interior views, a church or cathedral and religious aspects

Cathedral of St Martin

4.5/5(47 reviews)

Visit one of Lucca’s most sacred religious icons, an impressive building that is almost a millennium old.

Cathedral of St Martin

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Lucca

Lucca showing a square or plaza, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Lucca Historical Center

5/5(167 area reviews)

Unique features of Lucca Historical Center include the historic sites and cafes. Make a stop by Piazza Napoleone or Teatro del Giglio while you're exploring the area.

Lucca Historical Center
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Pontetetto

Though Pontetetto might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Porta San Pietro and Teatro del Giglio.

Pontetetto

Popular day trips from Lucca

Villa Reale

Capannori

Photo "Vorno" by LigaDue (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by LigaDue (CC BY-SA)

Vorno

Borgo a Mozzano

Borgo a Mozzano

Frequently asked questions

Is Lucca worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Lucca is visit Cathedral of St Martin. Tick this major attraction off your itinerary, then discover more of the area's camping and walking trails.
How do I spend a day in Lucca?
After you've visited key attractions like Palazzo Mansi National Museum and Real Collegio, spend some time discovering the food and retail options in Lucca.
What is the top tourist attraction in Lucca?
Don't leave without checking out Cathedral of St Martin, ranked the top tourist attraction in Lucca.
Is three days enough to stay in Lucca?
You can easily enjoy leading sights like Cathedral of St Martin, Teatro del Giglio and Museum of Torture with a three-day break in Lucca. On average, many travelers book three days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a little longer and venture to Pisa.
Is Lucca a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you plan to see and do in Lucca. Several sights, including Cathedral of St Martin and Teatro del Giglio, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Lucca's best neighborhoods, Lucca Historical Center is 0.32 kilometers away from downtown, while Massa Pisana is 3 kilometers away from the center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Lucca with kids?
If you're searching for sights and tours for all ages, take a look at these excellent ideas for what to do in Lucca with kids.

What to do in Lucca for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there's no shortage of things to do in Lucca for adults including Tenuta del Buonamico and Fattoria Sardigiustiniani s.s.a.
Are there free things to do in Lucca?
In Lucca, Cathedral of St Martin is a must-see spot for anyone looking to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, stroll around the local parks and neighborhoods, and ask for tips from a local tour guide. It's a great way to discover the best free things to do in Lucca.