Lucca overview: a little tourist info

This blog post introduces you to a video that I shot specifically for our place in Tuscany, to answer the common question of “Lucca overview: a little tourist info”. It’s also part of our You Ask, We Answer series, where we answer tonnes of FAQs and give you lots of information to help you get the most out of your Tuscan stay with us.

At Woodfarm Barns & Barges, we understand that planning the perfect getaway involves many questions and uncertainties. To help you navigate through these and to ensure you have the best experience possible, we’ve launched our ‘You Ask, We Answer’ initiative. This approach isn’t just about promoting our Barns, Cottages and Barges; it’s about providing valuable information, solutions, and peace of mind to our prospective guests.

We have a page with lots of out-and-about info for Woodfarm Tuscany. One place just outside Lucca worth a look is Mercatino Dell’usato.

Anyway, this is the video, and the transcript is below it if you wish to go back over anything.

This is what I said…

Discovering Lucca: A Charming Medieval Walled City

Hello, it’s Carl here, and in this video, I’m sharing a bit about the beautiful medieval walled city of Lucca, located in Tuscany, Italy. Lucca is one of my two favourite cities in the world, the other being San Gimignano, which is about an hour and three-quarters away. Honestly, if one didn’t exist, I’d be quite happy with the other – they’re both so similar and equally charming.

Lucca is surrounded by ancient city walls with six gates, which offer various entrances into the city. My preferred entrance is through Piazza Santa Maria. I usually park just outside the city walls at a place near a store called Euronics, which has always worked out conveniently for me as it’s easy to park and often free.

Once inside Lucca, the best way to explore is by starting with the main street, Via Fillungo. This bustling street is filled with shops, and at the end of it, you’ll find Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, an old Roman amphitheatre. It’s now lined with around ten restaurants, making it a perfect place to stop for lunch or a coffee. This piazza is one of my favourite spots to enjoy a meal.

From Via Fillungo, if you wander down to Via Roma, you’ll find yourself in Piazza San Michele, home to a stunning cathedral with a unique facade. It’s a tall, narrow building with beautiful architecture that really makes it stand out. This piazza is another great place to grab a drink, enjoy a gelato, or take in the historic surroundings.

For those interested in a bit of culture, you can visit the Puccini Museum, located in the composer’s former home just off the piazza. Lucca is also known for its many towers and cathedrals, remnants of Tuscany’s medieval history.

One of my favourite activities in Lucca is renting a bike and cycling around the city walls. You can easily complete two loops around the walls in about an hour. When I visited with my family in 2024, we rented a four-seater bike with a canopy, which was an unforgettable experience. The peaceful ride around the ancient walls offers fantastic views of the city and is a great way to explore Luca.

If you’re planning a visit to Tuscany and are looking for a destination filled with history, charm, and a bit of adventure, Lucca should be at the top of your list. I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief overview, and I’ll have more in-depth videos showing you around Lucca coming soon.

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Ciao! (I had to say that, didn’t I?)