Lucca

[[file:Lucca banner.jpg|1280px|Piazza dell'Anfiteatro}} Dome Lucques Duomo San Martino Lucca - The Duomo (San Martino) 02 Lucca seen from Torre Guinigi - Panorama of Lucca from the Torre Guinigi Lucca.city walls01 - city walls

Lucca is a city of some 90,000 people in Tuscany. Its long history goes back to Etruscan and Ancient Roman times, and the city retains pieces of ancient architecture. Lucca's heyday was in the Gothic perioid just before the Renaissance, and the city contains much marvellous architecture from that era. Lucca remained an independent city state until the end of the 18th century. Giacomo Puccini, one of the best-known opera composers, was born in Lucca, and his house is visited by many opera-lovers every year.

The area of most interest to visitors is still enclosed within the old city's defensive walls. The top of these broad walls is a ring park, a pleasant place for walking.

The Tourist Center (daily 09:00-19:00) is just outside the train station, by the San Pietro south entrance to the walled city. You can deposit luggage here (€2.90 per hour) and hire bikes.

Travel to Lucca

Rail and road links provide easy access from nearby Pisa and Florence.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Lucca

Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport (IATA Flight Code: PSA) is 2 kilometers south of Pisa. Flights from most large cities are available daily, and from major airports several per day. Car hire is available from all the major providers.

There's a direct "Viabus" from the airport to Lucca, one hour; buy your tickets (€4) beforehand at the kiosk within the arrivals hall. Otherwise take the "Pisamover" light railway to Pisa Centrale, and change there for trains to Lucca.

Viabus 11 calls at Florence Airport on its way to Florence Santa Maria Novella.

By Rail

The train station GPS: 43.8374 ,10.5062 is just south of the old town walls. Deposit luggage at the Tourist Center just outside.

Trains from Pisa Centrale run every 30 minutes. Lucca is also on the main line from Viareggio to Florence Santa Maria Novella, so there is a direct train at least hourly from both cities.

Travel on a Bus in Lucca

The main local operator is Viabus, with regular runs to Pisa, Florence and Barga. The bus station GPS: 43.842 ,10.497 is at Piazzale Verdi, just inside the walls west side of the old town.

By car

Driving inside the walls is mostly reserved to residents, so park your vehicle (there are vehicle parks outside the walls and a couple inside, accessible by non-residents) and rent a bike. Several bicycle rental locations can be found near the North entrance to the city, Porta Santa Maria, near Porta San Pietro and walking from Porta Elisa towards the center. It is not a large city within the walls, so you may find it more enjoyable to simply walk around.

The city has many vehicle parks located outside the wall and the largest two are on the North and South side. The A11 (E76) Runs from the coastal A12 (E80) Autostrada across towards Firenze.

Get Around

GPS 43.8425|10.5033

On foot: the old city is compact.

By bike: hardly necessary for the old city, but helpful if you've edge of town accommodation. Hire bikes from the Tourist Center at the train station.

By bus: little navetti potter through the streets: a map of their nine routes is available at Vaibus]. The only one you're likely to use is #11 from train station to bus station, and #12 in the other direction. Last buses are at 20:00. As for other Italian buses, buy your ticket at any tobacconist, and cancel it when you board. A single ticket is €1.

What to see in Lucca

Duomo di Lucca vom Torre Guinigi 2009-07 - View of the Duomo and the hills beyond, from Torre Guinigi

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro 43.8454, 10.5063 off the Via Fillungo, main entrance by Piazza Scarpellini - Piazza dell'Anfiteatro Anfiteatro Lucca - A former Roman amphitheater, but the remains of the amphitheater are gone. The houses there are of medieval origin, built where the spectator stands were.

Duomo di San Martino Piazza di San Martino 43.840556, 10.506389 - 3 € Lucca Gothic Church Dome Lucques Duomo San Martino Lucca Romanesque cathedral dating to 14th century. Contains the must-see Volto Santo and Ilaria del Carretto's Sarcophagus by Jacopo della Quercia (as of May 2014 you have to pay an additional 4 € to see this). Includes a sculpture of the crucifixion attributed to an eyewitness, Nicodemus. Some interesting carvings in the marble exterior, including a labyrinth.

Torre Guinigi 43.843611, 10.506944 - As of May 2014 the normal entrance price is 4 € and the reduced price is 3 €. It is also feasible to buy one ticket for both Torre Guinigi and Torre delle Ore for 6 € total Guinigi Tower Torre Guinigi from Torre Torre dell'Orologio This is a tower with trees atop it, a very dramatic sight, with good views of the city. No lift, many stairs.

Torre delle Ore 43.8434, 10.5042 - As of May 2014 the normal entrance price is 4 € and reduced price is 3 €. It is also feasible to buy one ticket for both Torre Guinigi and Torre delle Ore for 6 € total Torre delle Ore, Lucca Torre dell'Orologio (Lucca) 01 Ancient clock tower with original clock still working. It is feasible to go upstairs in this tower for a beautiful view of the city and a good perspective of Fillungo street. Great views of Torre Guinigi's trees. No lift.

Puccini Museum - Corte San Lorenzo, 9 43.84329, 10.50155 ☎ +39 583 584028 This was Puccini's birthplace and is now a museum about the composer.

Palazzo Mansi - 43.843611, 10.499167 - Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi Palazzo mansi, cortile 02

Saint Michael's Church 43.843056, 10.502778 in the center of the Roman Forum - San Michele in Foro San Michele Lucca

Saint Frediano's Church 43.846111, 10.504722 - Basilica of San Frediano Basilica di San Frediano Lucca

Via Fillungo 43.843889, 10.504278 - Lucca - Panorama dalla Torre dell'Orologio 02 Main street full of shops and bars.

Palazzo Pfanner Via degli Asili 43.84615, 10.503297 ☎ +39 340 923 30 85 4 € Palazzo Pfanner Lucca Frediano Pfanner Preserved rooms formerly inhabited by the Pfanner family, as well as a pleasant garden. Also on display, some 19th century medical equipment.

Piazza Napoleone 43.8414, 10.5027 Lucca's largest square. Contains the large Palazzo Ducale, now a government building.

Domus Romana 43.84515, 10.50316 €3 A Remains of an old Roman home, have been partially excavated, and may be seen at via Cesare Battisi 15 (at via San Giorgio).

- Statue of Luigi Boccherini .

Lucca has many old churches, some of which now house art galleries.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Lucca

Basilica di San Frediano Lucca - San Frediano

City Walls - One can walk or cycle on top of the ancient city walls. The entire perimeter is roughly 4 km. This gives a good introduction to the city layout. Expect crowds in the summer months.

Puccini opera & recitals: The composer Puccini (1858-1924) was born and grew up in Lucca. His works are regularly performed here throughout the year. From 1891 he lived at Torre del Lago on the coast 20 kilometers west, and built a villa there; the annual Puccini festival is held nearby. In 1921 a peat works polluted the neighbourhood so he moved to neighbouring Viareggio. His villa at Torre del Lago is nowadays a museum and he's buried in the chapel there.

Puccini festival - Festival Puccini - An opera festival dedicated to Puccini, staging all his best-loved works. It is held July to August in Torre del Lago on the coast near Lucca.

Bagni di Lucca's spa - Bagni di Lucca is laying between the Appenine Mountains giving a semblance of a climatic mountain resort despite it's 152 meters above sea level, perfectly integrated by the River Lima and Serchio, from which the Valley takes its name, can be considered an oasis of peace and serenity. Decentralized from the traffic which reaches the nearby Lucca (27km) and Versilia (48km).

Lucca summer festival - A series of concerts by major international rock stars, held annually end of June into July. It's not like a "greenfield" rock festival with concentrated venue, time-span and mud. Most events are in Piazza Napoleone in the old town centre. Standing-room tickets are available and these are released separately as each act confirms their dates.

Lucca Comics and Games - Piazza San Romano - Around 15-20 Euros per day Lucca Comics & Games Lucca Comics 2007 San Michele The largest comic book and gaming festival in Europe, held in the long week-end around November 1, a national holiday in Italy. It includes many events, guests and open-air market stands around the downtown, and the city is full with cosplayers in colourful costumes. 2018 festival is Wednesday 31 Oct - Sunday 4 Nov, dates for 2019 not yet confirmed.

Study in Lucca

LIS Lucca Italian School - If you want to learn and have fun at the same time, this school is a good choice. It provides courses and private lessons for students of any age and level in Italian language and culture.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Lucca

The main shopping street is Via Fillungo which runs roughly north/south through the centre of the city. It has a mix of high to mid-range shops selling a range of Italian designer labels such as Missoni, Armani, Max Mara, etc.

Enoteca Vanni - Piazza del Salvatore 7 ☎ +39 0583 491902 Opening Hours: closed Sundays? A decent and stores. One could spend some time poking around the four cellar rooms.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Only in Lucca you can find a special sweet-bread in shape of a small baguette or a bun. It's called Buccellato and it has raisins inside and has a unique taste of anise. You can find it in a small shop called Taddeucci, behind Saint Michael's church in the main square.

Trattoria da Leo - Via Tegrimi 1 ☎ +39 0583 492236 - Fairly typical Tuscan cuisine with some Luccan touches (e.g. pine nuts). The menu is only in Italian. Vegetarian friendly. Reservations are a good idea or arrive around 7:00.

Pizzeria La Bersagliera - Via Pisana 2136 ☎ +39 0583510758 - If you happen to have a car, do check out this pizzeria, just ten minutes drive outside of town, it's worth. The owners come from Calabria, so you are likely to find all kinds of spicy salami, olives, mushrooms on top of your Pizzas. A different meal, served by distracted waitresses. Beware: You can't have your espresso coffee there. Being asked for coffees and the old owner – I don't think she's still around – used to reply: "Yeah, go get that at La Cubana", which is a bar downtown. Oh, and you can't make reservations: Be there by 7PM.

Forno a vapore Amedeo Giusti - Via Santa Lucia 18/20 ☎ +39 0583 496285 - Strolling along the Torre Guinigi (the one with trees on top), you'll probably sniff some irresistible oily and flory smell. It's called focaccia and the Lucchese idea of a Snacks.

Vecchia Trattoria Buralli - It is practically hidden on via San Giorgio and one of the best restaurants. With a constantly changing menu and an extensive list.

Buca di San Antonio situated just off the Piazza San Michele - Enjoys a high reputation for local dishes prepared in the traditional Lucchesi style.

Ristorante Giglio in the Piazza Giglio - Offering wonderful Lucchesi cuisine, attentive staff and a delightful terrace overlooking the square.

It is safe to drink the water that comes out of the public fountains. Many local residents fill gallon jugs and it is their primary source of soft-drinking water. It is delicious and quite refreshing. In fact, it tastes better than most bottled water.

The digestive tonic China Massagli is produced at the Farmacia Massagli in Lucca. This is an eminent example of the "china" style of amaro (Italian potable bitters). If you ask for an "amaro locale" at a restaurant, this is likely what you will receive.

Biadina is another local style of bitters, bottled by Massagli and other producers; this drink is often sold with a small pack of pine nuts.

Compared to Florence or Siena and there is relatively little late night activity on the streets of old Lucca. The San Colombano, on top of the walls, overlooking the train station and the Betty Blue (near piazza Santa Maria) and the Refruit cocktail near San Michele and the Cupido and McCulloughs, outside the walls near the station are some of the bars open late, especially in the summer.

Most local residents tend to make the short trip to Viareggio on the coast, which offers a far better selection of clubs, such as 7 Apples and La Canniccia.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Lucca

Lucca - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Lucca, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lucca. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Lucca and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Lucca. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Lucca. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLucca: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Lucca.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Lucca: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Lucca, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Lucca.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Lucca, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Lucca, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Lucca and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Lucca, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Lucca, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Lucca without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lucca is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Lucca.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Lucca is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Lucca, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Lucca Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

It's the opposite of Florence: budget to mid-range places cluster in or near the old walled city. Luxury places are a few kilometers out in the Tuscan countryside, and you'll need wheels.

Places within walking distance of the train station and available at less than €50 a night include:

Hotel Eurostars Toscana, 2 kilometers south at intersection wioth Autostrada
Corte de Templari 2 kilometers southwest on Via Perduta
B&B La Colonna in old town
B&B Relais Puccini, west outside Porta South Donato

Casa Alba - Via Fillungo 142 ☎ +39 0583 495361 Double from €60 3 star with only 5 rooms, and on the second floor with no lift, this place is charming nonetheless. In old town centre.

B&B Camera con Vista - Via San Paolino 8 43.842955043, 10.501931010 Next to Gelateria de Coltelli, Piazza San Michele ☎ +39 0583 050534, +39 366 1648427 Check-in: 15:00-18:00 / Check-out: 07:30-11:00 Doubles €50-70 B&B in a historic building. First floor has a lounge and a double room with a patio. The second floor houses a brightly lit and spacious breakfast room with computer and internet access, terrace is on the third floor.

Hotel Hambros - Via Pesciatina 197 55012 5 kilometers east of Lucca ☎ +39 0583 935355 +39 0583 935356 Doubles from €90 Four-star hotel set in the 18th C Villa Banchieri in the nationside east of the city.

Relais Corte Benedetto - Via Pollinelle 19, San Martino in Colle 10 kilometers east of Lucca off via Pesciatini ☎ +39 0583 975088 +39 0583975730 Doubles from €60 In rolling countryside east of Lucca, hotel has two suites, five rooms and three apartments all stylishly and originally furnished. The restaurant has a main kitchen with a wood oven and barbeque and two spacious dining areas. With swimming pool.

Albergo alla Corte degli Angeli | httpS://www.allacortedegliangeli.com Via degli Angeli 23 ☎ +39 0583 469204 B&B doubles from €90 Small family run hotel within the walled town, a few steps from Piazza Anfiteatro and the main shopping street. Each room is decorated with a fresco on a floral theme, which continues into the bathroom. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and well-equipped. The breakfasts are excellent – as are the quirky egg-cups and ceramic coffee beakers. The staff are very friendly, helpful and professional.

B&B al Porto di Lucca - via Lorenzo Nottolini 10 just south of train station ☎ +39 0583 53516 Doubles €80-120 Large house with a garden, dating back to 1700. Four guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, 300 meters from entrance to old town.

B&B Lucca Fora - via Pesciatina 143, Capannori 43.856471, 10.570135 4 kilometers east of centre ☎ +39 0583936352 B&B doubles from €55 Clean friendly B&B. Capannori is straggly ribbon-development along the Lucca road, good if you're coming by car.

Hotel Ilaria | Via del Fosso 26 - 55100 Lucca - Italy ☎ +39 0583 47615 Hotel Ilaria is a 4 star hotel in the historical center of Lucca, right in the old town walls. Rooms and suites are wide and comfortable. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast and complimentary bar corner with drinks and Snacks available for guests all day long. The panoramic terrace has a jacuzzi for 8 people.

Palazzo Tucci Via Cesare Battisti, 13 ☎ +39 0583 464279 Doubles from €140 Boutique hotel and historical residence located in the heart of the old town. Closed for much of Nov & December.

Resort dei Limoni - formerly Locanda L'Elisa | via Nuova per Pisa 2 kilometers south of rwy station on SS12 ☎ +39 0583 152 2797 Doubles from €125 Five star hotel 2 kilometers south of Lucca in an 1800s Tuscan Villa.With ten quiet and cozy rooms, restaurant, garden, swimming-pool and free parking.

News & References Lucca

Travel Next

Pisa is an easy day-trip by train. For sights around the leaning tower, get off at Pisa San Rossore only 400 m west - Pisa Centrale is 1.5 kilometers south of this area.
Florence is also an easy day-trip, much better done by train (90 mins) even if you have a car.
Garfagnana is a hilly, forested area north of Lucca, with the historic small town of Barga.

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