If you're passing through Tuscany and only have one day to visit Lucca, you can make the most of it: The city is compact, flat, and designed to be lived on foot. (or by bicycle). Here's the route I would recommend.
Morning: walls and the historic heart
Start with walls, 4.2 km in a ring around the center, the best city's calling cardYou don't need to do the entire circuit right away; climb up at any point. (San Pietro is the most convenient, being close to the station), Walk a short distance and go down through one of the six historic gates.
From the center, go to the San Martino CathedralIt's worth stopping in front of the facade; no two columns in the upper galleries are alike, and going inside to see the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia. Afterwards, walk to the... Guinigi Tower, It's worth climbing the stairs; the view from the top and the small garden of oak trees growing on the tower are one of the most iconic images of Lucca.
Lunch: a typical dish, no rush.
Choose a restaurant off the beaten path and order a traditional dish. Tordelli Lucchesi It's the perfect choice for those experiencing the city for the first time. Remember the opening hours: the kitchen usually closes between 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
Afternoon: squares, alleys and Via Fillungo
After lunch, go to the Amphitheater SquareIts elliptical shape perfectly replicates the outline of the ancient Roman amphitheater that once stood there.
Next, follow the path Via Fillungo, the city's main shopping street, but without focusing solely on the shop windows: many facades conceal incorporated medieval towers and details that often go unnoticed.
Take some time to enter a dead-end street, one of the alleysalleys"that exit from Via Fillungo. It is there that Lucca usually surprises those who least expect it."
Late afternoon: Piazza Napoleone and farewell
Close the day at Napoleon Square, the widest in the city, or return to a final stretch of wallsSunset is undoubtedly the most beautiful time to say goodbye and have a drink. drink no Lucca styleordering a Spritz with appetizers or trying the traditional Bread, the city's typical liqueur served with pine nuts.
Tip from someone who lives here: If you have some time left over, don't waste it on another monument. Sit in any square and watch the city go by. It's this detail that most one-day itineraries leave out, and it's what stays in your memory the most.
Want to explore the city without missing a single detail? Check out my e-book. "LUCCA: far beyond the walls""I've compiled city information, complete itineraries, transportation tips, and secrets that only locals know.