Lucca in 2 Days: City Walls, Towers and Old Streets

Destination: Lucca, ItalyCreated by: Moo_The_TrotterLast updated: 6th October 2026
Lucca suits travellers who enjoy exploring on foot without moving between big-ticket sights all day. Walk its broad city walls, climb a tower and spend two days among churches, small museums and old squares.
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Day 1 — Walls and towers

Lucca City Walls

Monument
Start with a walk on the broad Renaissance ramparts. The complete circuit is about four kilometres; follow the northern stretch for views into the old town and towards the surrounding hills.
Image of Basilica of San Frediano

Basilica of San Frediano

Place of Worship, History Landmark
Look up at the large gold mosaic on the church façade, then step inside for the carved baptismal font. The basilica stands just north of the amphitheatre square.
Image of Palazzo Mansi National Museum

Palazzo Mansi National Museum

Museum
Visit the silk merchants’ former palace for its furnished rooms, tapestries and picture gallery. It opens at noon on Saturdays, making this the first afternoon visit before returning to the central squares.
Image of Piazza Anfiteatro

Piazza Anfiteatro

Public Plaza
Enter the oval square through one of its narrow archways. The buildings follow the outline of Lucca’s Roman amphitheatre, which explains the unusual shape of this small gathering place.
Image of Guinigi Tower

Guinigi Tower

Historic Site
Climb the brick tower to the roof garden planted with holm oaks. From the top, the walls and tightly packed old-town roofs show how compact Lucca is.
Day 2 — Churches and museums
Image of San Michele in Foro

San Michele in Foro

Place of Worship, History Landmark
Begin the second day at the church built over the site of the Roman forum. Its tall marble façade, stacked arcades and statue of the archangel face one of the old town’s busiest squares.
Image of Piazza Napoleone

Piazza Napoleone

Public Plaza
Walk south to the broad square beside the Ducal Palace. It offers a change from the narrow lanes and a useful pause before the small indoor visits that follow.
Image of Puccini Museum

Puccini Museum

Museum, Art Museum
Visit the composer’s birthplace near San Michele for family rooms, letters, scores and the piano on which he worked on Turandot. This is the most focused stop for opera lovers.
Image of San Martino Cathedral

San Martino Cathedral

Place of Worship, History Landmark
Go inside for Ilaria del Carretto’s marble tomb and the cathedral’s artworks. The asymmetrical façade and carved porch also reward a close look from the square.

Lucca Botanical Garden

Garden, Botanical Garden
Finish among trees, greenhouses and the pond beside the southeastern walls. In winter the garden opens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and closes at 4pm, so make this an early afternoon visit.
Optional extras
Image of Villa Guinigi National Museum

Villa Guinigi National Museum

Museum
Choose this museum for archaeology and art from Lucca and its territory, housed in a brick Gothic villa. It is an alternative substantial museum visit for Saturday.

Lucca Cathedral Museum

Museum, Museum Gallery
Add the cathedral museum if church art interests you, or use it in place of the Puccini visit. Its collection brings together liturgical objects, sculpture and treasures connected with San Martino.
Image of Palazzo Pfanner

Palazzo Pfanner

Museum
Choose the palace for its formal garden of statues, lemon trees and a central fountain, followed by the frescoed museum rooms. Its regular visiting season runs from mid-March through December.
Image of Torre delle Ore

Torre delle Ore

Monument
Choose the clock tower instead of Guinigi for another elevated view over the streets. The climb also brings you close to the historic clock mechanism; one tower is enough for the main weekend route.