Giada was an excellent guide and Lucca is an amazing city. As a native of the area she demonstrated an unsurpassed passion and knowledge for Lucca. We have added it as one of our personal favorite stops in Italy!
Sites & Insights: Lucca City Tour
Follow Lucca’s city-state past through walls and Guinigi Tower
The Finer Details
Join an expert historian on a journey to discover the hidden gems of this enchanting city, tracing its Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval roots. Prepare to be charmed by Lucca's enigmatic allure. Empowered by the sturdy embrace of its ancient walls, Lucca, a charming Tuscan jewel, unfolds its multifaceted layers to reveal a trove of enchanting history, folklore, and legends.
You will embark on a meandering walk through its medieval streets, past enchanting churches and cloisters, where the Volto Santo, a revered wooden crucifix, and the exquisite mosaics of San Frediano's Basilica await. Your tour takes you to intriguing public spaces such as the Roman Amphitheatre, now a large circular piazza, recognized as the center of town life. You will also climb the Guinigi Tower, one of the few remaining towers within the city walls, which is identifiable by the beautiful hanging garden atop its roof. The climb is more than justified by the spectacular view of the town and the surrounding countryside upon reaching the top.
As a special treat, you'll savor the culinary delights of Lucca by tasting the sinful buccellato cake; a sweet indulgence that embodies the city's unique flavors. Accompanied by your expert guide, you will unravel the mysteries of Lucca's past and present, immersing yourself in its enchanting atmosphere, where history, legend, and culture collide.
You will embark on a meandering walk through its medieval streets, past enchanting churches and cloisters, where the Volto Santo, a revered wooden crucifix, and the exquisite mosaics of San Frediano's Basilica await. Your tour takes you to intriguing public spaces such as the Roman Amphitheatre, now a large circular piazza, recognized as the center of town life. You will also climb the Guinigi Tower, one of the few remaining towers within the city walls, which is identifiable by the beautiful hanging garden atop its roof. The climb is more than justified by the spectacular view of the town and the surrounding countryside upon reaching the top.
As a special treat, you'll savor the culinary delights of Lucca by tasting the sinful buccellato cake; a sweet indulgence that embodies the city's unique flavors. Accompanied by your expert guide, you will unravel the mysteries of Lucca's past and present, immersing yourself in its enchanting atmosphere, where history, legend, and culture collide.
Choose this tour if...
- You’re looking to explore the city on foot and absorb fascinating insights at every turn
- You’re hoping to discover the city through the eyes of a local expert
- You love to walk and want to cover a lot of ground to orient yourself in the city
Sites Visited
- Guinigi Tower – fourteenth-century tower built by the Guinigi family who ruled for centuries.
- Cathedral of San Martino – Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with a facade adorned with marble and intricate reliefs.
- San Frediano Basilica – Romanesque church with a mosaic facade depicting the life of Saint Frediano.
Logistics
Tickets
- We don't pre-arrange tickets for this tour. Tickets and various entrance fees may occur during the tour.
Headsets
Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order.
Accessibility
Itinerary
- This tour is partially accessible. The tour is relatively walking intensive and involves climbing stairs and maneuvering on cobbled streets. However, the itinerary can be adapted for clients with mobility issues.
Wheelchair accessibility
- There are wheelchair-accessible ramps to get onto the medieval wall; the Cathedral of San Martino is also accessible.
- If you have mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss the best tour option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information about Context Tours, please visit our FAQs.
How can we get to Lucca from Florence?
There are three ways that we recommend traveling to Lucca: The train, which takes between 1 hour and 20 min and 1 hour and 45 min, leaves about every half hour from Florence Santa Maria Novella station. Since it's a regional train, tickets can be bought from the tabacchi stands in the station. The VAI bus, operated by Lazzi, leaves Florence a few times each morning and offers dependable service. This ride takes 1 hour and 15 min. Tickets can be purchased at the Lazzi office in Piazza Adua, near the Santa Maria Novella station. You can also book a private car through us to take you to Lucca, the car ride is about 1 hour min.
Can we take a car service to Lucca from Florence?
Yes, of course. To facilitate getting to Lucca quickly and easily, we have a private car service available as optional. The private car will comfortably pick you up at your hotel in Florence, take you to Lucca to meet your guide, wait for the length of the walk and bring you back to Florence. If interested, please book this service at check out and let us know your address in Florence so that we can get this reserved for you. Please consider the pick up time will be around 1.5 hours before the start time of the tour in Lucca. Our team will coordinate with you about the details after booking.
Do you reserve headsets for this tour?
How can we get to Lucca from Florence?
There are three ways that we recommend traveling to Lucca: The train, which takes between 1 hour and 20 min and 1 hour and 45 min, leaves about every half hour from Florence Santa Maria Novella station. Since it's a regional train, tickets can be bought from the tabacchi stands in the station. The VAI bus, operated by Lazzi, leaves Florence a few times each morning and offers dependable service. This ride takes 1 hour and 15 min. Tickets can be purchased at the Lazzi office in Piazza Adua, near the Santa Maria Novella station. You can also book a private car through us to take you to Lucca, the car ride is about 1 hour min.
Can we take a car service to Lucca from Florence?
Yes, of course. To facilitate getting to Lucca quickly and easily, we have a private car service available as optional. The private car will comfortably pick you up at your hotel in Florence, take you to Lucca to meet your guide, wait for the length of the walk and bring you back to Florence. If interested, please book this service at check out and let us know your address in Florence so that we can get this reserved for you. Please consider the pick up time will be around 1.5 hours before the start time of the tour in Lucca. Our team will coordinate with you about the details after booking.
Do you reserve headsets for this tour?
Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order. If you would like to guarantee headsets for your tour regardless of your group size, please email us and we’ll be happy to get them reserved for you.
Cancellation Policy
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Meet the Experts
Where You’ll Go
From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.
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Guinigi Tower
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Cathedral of San Martino
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San Frediano Basilica
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
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English-speaking expert guideTours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
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Intentionally sized groupsA smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
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Tickets and entrance feesAll entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
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HeadsetsHeadsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Not Included
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Food and drinkUnless booking a Food & Drink tour or tasting experience, refreshments are not included.
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Transportation to and from the meeting pointUnless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
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GratuitiesTips aren’t included, but we encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
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Hotel pickup or drop-offUnless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Make the Most of Your Tour
Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.
Dos:
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Check the weather and dress appropriately
- Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
- Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
- Bring firearms or weapons
- Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
- Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always
contact us.
Don’t just take our word for it
We enjoyed Lucca very much! Sarah was an excellent tour guide, extremely knowledgeable. She taught us a lot and was so enjoyable to be with. We apologized for being late due to parking issues.
She was engaging, very knowledgeable, able to answer our questions. Keep her enthusiasm through out the tour. I would highly recommend her
Let Your Curiosity Shape Your Journey
Join passionate experts on intimate walking tours that reveal a city’s unique stories, spark conversations, and leave you seeing the world—and yourself—a little differently.
Structured, never scripted
Your interests guide your Expert, leading to stories and perspectives that matter to you.
Crafted for conversation
With 12 or fewer guests, ask questions, engage with your Expert, and fully immerse yourself.
Experts, not guides
Explore with 1,200+ Experts—from historians and architects to archaeologists and chefs.
