Discover Lucca’s Secrets on a Guided Walking Tour
Description
If you are travelling with your family, in a small group, or individually, share the experience of a guided tour of Lucca’s historic center with others. It is an interesting and economical way to discover the wonders of the town.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour begins in Piazzale Verdi at the old Porta San Donato where the tourist information centre is located, adjacent to the historic Renaissance walls.
From Piazzale Verdi, you will walk along Via San Paolino which corresponds to the ancient Roman street (Decumanus Maximus), passing by the Renaissance church dedicated to the Patron Saint of the town, San (Saint) Paolino. At the end of the street, behold Piazza San Michele, the area where the ancient Roman forum was located. Time to stop to photograph the spectacular facade of the 12th century church of the same name. Along the way, you will encounter Lucca's most famous celebrity, Giacomo Puccini, and see the exterior of the building where he was born. Still today, his operas fascinate audiences all around the world!
Stroll along to reach Via Fillungo, the main and busiest shopping street of the town where both traditional shops and medieval tower houses live. The two highest civic towers will also be covered: Torre delle Ore (the tower with the clock) and the very particular Torre Guinigi, which is crowned by seven holm oak trees. More surprises await, such as the stunning Byzantine-style mosaic on the facade of one of Lucca's best-loved churches: San Frediano.
Just a few steps away from San Frediano church is one of the most beautiful squares in Lucca, Piazza Anfiteatro. The elliptical shape of the characteristic piazza is due to subsequent construction of buildings over the foundations of the ancient Roman amphitheatre.
A short walk along more medieval streets and you will reach the Cathedral of San Martino with its unusual and striking Pisa-Lucca Romanesque facade. This is where the tour ends. However, if you are not too tired, the guide will be very happy to continue the tour inside the Cathedral. There is a € 3.00 entrance fee. In the interior, the Volto Santo (the Holy Face), an evocative wooden crucifix, highly venerated for centuries and the symbol of Lucca, an incredible Last Supper painted by Tintoretto, and, in the sacristy, the beautiful marble sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto, the early 15th century masterpiece sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia of Siena, await your visit.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Adult rate applies to travelers 15 years and older
- Children ages 0-14 are free with a paid adult
Reviews(517)
An excellent walking tour. Claudia was a great guide with so much history. So helpful and friendly.
A nice tour around Lucca. All went well except for the meeting place at the beginning of the tour. Insufficient information led to confusion for most of the group.
The organisers need to be more specific about the starting point of the tour. We wandered around Piazza Giuseppe Verdi for ages. It actually starts at The Tourist Information Centre so that should be clearly stated!
Our guide was fantastic, full of knowledge and enthusiasm for Lucca was lovely. I cannot recall the guides name but she was a lovely lady. The only negative was the address given does not take you to the meeting point which it the tourist information centre
Guide was knowledgeable but tour was too focus on churches. Most people spoke English except an Italian couple and guide spent a lot of time talking to them. Lucca was very beautiful, I wanted to hear more about its history and culture
Extremely knowledgeable and interesting guide and good value tour. However the repetition in Italian as well as English was very tedious and meant waiting around between stops.
Learned a lot about Lucca, including some things you don't find in the brochures. The guide was great and her English good. Worth it!
What a very informative and relaxed walking tour. Victoria is a wealth of knowledge and very friendly-great interaction with people from all walks of life. Would highly recommend this tour and you struck it lucky if Victoria is your guide!
I found this tour group on Trip Advisor and other sites. Thought they looked reputable. I was WRONG! After 5 exchanges of emails confirming our tour, no tour leader showed up at the agreed-upon location at the agreed-upon day/time. I called and messaged several times. then 30 minutes later, our group of 12 gave up. Don't trust this outfit to show up.
A very knowledgeable and empathetic guide who accompanied her explanations with anecdotes and fun facts, making everything not only interesting but also very enjoyable. Unfortunately, not being mic'd and the participants without earpieces, she sometimes had to repeat herself because her words were not heard.
