Every town and city has its own delightful character, something that makes it particular, charming, unlike other cities.
The provincial centre of Lucca in Tuscany could be described as quaint, historical, pretty, as could many surrounding towns. For me, Lucca was set apart by it’s wider streets, the bicycles and the big, leafy trees along the wall that wraps the old town.
As I explored, I was particularly taken with the old doorbell buttons, with their shiny plates, rustic knobs and delicate script. The big old doors also struck my fancy and I was charmed by the bicycles casually left along stones walls outside shops and restaurants.
Custard, caramel and caffe tones dominate, sometimes with a dollop of cream, making the town a delicious feast for the inquisitive eye.
Here are some of my photos of Lucca’s bells, doors and bicycles.
Tips for a day in Lucca:
Lucca is well connected by train. We took a train from Florence (Firenze) that took 1hr 20 minutes and cost 6.40 Euros each way.
There are lots of little churches and 3 big main churches to see.
The ‘top’ sight is the amphitheatre. Although just crawling with tourists, this is well worth a look. It is a piazza surrounded by colourful, curved buildings that create a wide open space in the centre. Restaurants and shops live in the ground level buildings and include a toy shop, a vintage clothes shop and boutiques.
Bicycles are the transportation method of choice in Lucca. You can hire a bike from around the train station or on most streets that connect with the wall. We paid 3 Euros for an hour and cycled the path along the top of the wall 1.5 times with ease.
If you are not cycling, you are wandering on foot. Lucca has a compact historical centre with lots of little nooks to delight in.
Go for lunch. With lots of cafes and restaurants throughout the old town, as well as leafy picnic areas along the wall, Lucca is an ideal lunch getaway. We ate at Osteria dal Manz on Via Cascane Battisti (28). It was pretty wow, blending traditional quality dishes and wines with modern-rustic setting and friendly, funky wait staff. It is also a little off the tourist trail, making it a nice getaway where you can relax for hours in true Italian style.
Nic Freeman 
Great shots – love the detail and thanks for reminding me of my own visit there.
I love Lucca! This is where I used to escape to by myself when I was working at a summer camp near Viareggio many years ago! Hope you and Dave are well 🙂
I used to live/work in Livorno on the coast and visit Lucca very often, I love the charm inside the walls 🙂
Reblogged this on Geo Information and commented:
Beautiful photos…I really like Lucca
Great photos!
An other beautiful Italian town!
We love the photos! You did a great job of capturing the details. Thank you for sharing 🙂
This makes me want to go back to Lucca…. Thanks for the memories!
Very beautiful pics, my imagination is running wild of possible trips
sigh!
Doorbells and bicycles — a great combination. Lovely images, too! We’re currently in Burgos, Spain, and are three months into a slow-travelling journey around Europe, so although we don’t know when we’ll get to Italy it’s definitely on the agenda. And I’ll now make note of Lucca as a place for us to visit, so thank you 🙂
Hi Mufidah,
Thanks! Lovely to have you reading along. Yes, Lucca was a nice surprise, as I knew so little about it before going. Since mentioning to others though, it seems it’s quite a favourite in that region of Italy.
Exciting to hear about your travels. Three months of slow travelling is such a treat. I’m in my ninth month of slow-ish travelling now and have to admit it will be a hard habit to give up.
Have written about my other European destinations so far, with Slovenia, Croatia, Germany and France to go still.
All the best.
Nic
WoW – such beautiful pics Nic