Our top 5 things to do in Lucca
Our recent trip to Lucca, a medieval walled city in Tuscany, revived our love of Italy and of this picturesque city in particular. The wealth of the city stemmed from the medieval silk industry which led to Lucca being the key centre for the production of silk textiles in Europe by the 16th century. Numerous palaces and piazzas, cobbled alleys and cultural centres, cafes and push bikes everywhere make this a fascinating and easy city to orientate. We found so much to see and do within easy walking distance, so here are our top 5 recommendations for what to do in Lucca:
Cycle along the city walls
The extensive medieval city walls are wide enough to have a broad tree lined avenue along the top, where you can walk, jog or cycle around the whole perimeter of the medieval city (allow around an hour). Hire a bike for 5 euros an hour (or share a tandem) and admire the impressive views on both sides. The walls were originally built in the early 1500s to better defend Lucca from attack, and nowadays are one of the main attractions of the city.
Learn Italian at our language school
Learn Italian at our school in the medieval heart of Lucca, located in an 18th century renovated building, with courses available all year round for all levels. Join people from all over the world to learn how to speak Italian, or come on one of the specialist programmes combining Italian lessons with cookery classes, wine and olive oil tastings, visits to local food producers and meals in carefully selected local restaurants. Visits to places of local interest outside the city are also included in all language courses. For more details, dates and prices just email us on info@caledoniaworldwide.com
Have an Italian Gelato (ice cream)
If you are a fan of ice cream, you will be in gelato heaven in Lucca! With a list of flavours that will have your taste buds tingling before you even try it, the ice cream in Italy is beyond delizioso. At under 3 euros a scoop you can afford to treat yourself without breaking the bank. Most of the ingredients are locally produced which keeps them fresh and seasonal.
List of gelato
Visit National Museum of Palazzo Mansi
The former home of Napoleon’s sister, Elisa Bonaparte, in the early 1800s, this palace was originally built in the early 17th century by wealthy silk merchant Ascanio Mansi. The building was his private mansion. It was sold in the 1960s to the state and it was subsequently opened as the National Museum of Arts and Tapestries. Sumptuous interiors await you, with luxurious tapestries and incredible marble sculptures, and a wide range of mainly post 19th century works of art in every room. Strongly recommended!
Interior of the palazzo
Eat out in a local trattoria
Whilst it is very hard to have a favourite place to eat in Lucca as everywhere was so good, we would recommend going to the ‘Trattoria da Leo‘ just off Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. We loved the local feel of the place, and for good home cooking at a decent price this place is hard to beat. There were some tables outside on the narrow street, but inside the large light dining room had art work for sale on all the walls and a clearly Lucchese (the name for people from Lucca) clientele. For lunch we had Finocchi alla Parmigiana (baked fennel with parmesan cheese), Fagioli rossi (baked red beans) and Spaghetti al Pomodoro (Spaghetti in tomato sauce) and the bill came to under 25 euros for both of us, including a coffee and an ice cream. Service was good and as fast as we wanted it to be and the food was simply delizioso!
If you are interested in going to Lucca to learn Italian, either as an individual, with a friend or with a school group, please get in touch on info@caledoniaworldwide.com
