The area
Lucca
A walled city of a hundred churches, forty minutes from Peralta.
- By car40 min
- By trainfrom Viareggio station to Lucca, a short walk from the city centre
- What’s on5 dated events in 2027 →
About Lucca
Lucca, a charming city in Tuscany, is renowned for its well-preserved Renaissance walls and cobblestone streets. Known as the city of a hundred churches due to its numerous historic religious buildings, Lucca offers a blend of history, art and culture.
Visitors can explore its iconic landmarks such as the Guinigi Tower, Piazza dell'Anfiteatro and the stunning Cathedral of San Martino. The city is also famous for its vibrant piazzas, local cuisine and picturesque landscapes.
What to see
-
The Walls of Lucca Le Mura
Renaissance walls encircling the old town, perfect for a scenic walk or bike ride.
visittuscany.com -
Guinigi Tower Torre Guinigi
A medieval tower with ancient oak trees at the top, offering panoramic views of Lucca's rooftops and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
comune.lucca.it -
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro
A uniquely oval-shaped piazza built on the remains of a Roman amphitheatre, surrounded by colourful buildings and charming cafés.
-
Lucca Cathedral Cattedrale di San Martino
Known for its stunning Romanesque architecture and the Volto Santo, a wooden crucifix said to be carved by Nicodemus.
museocattedralelucca.it -
Puccini Museum
The birthplace of the composer Giacomo Puccini, showing his life and works.
puccinimuseum.org
Shopping
Lucca is a delightful place to shop, with luxury boutiques, artisan workshops and vintage shops.
-
Via Fillungo
The main shopping street in Lucca, with luxury brands, local boutiques and artisan shops.
-
Via Santa Croce and Via San Paolino
Streets with several independent vintage shops, for clothing and accessories.
-
Barberino Designer Outlet
Barberino di Mugello, about an hour away
Discounted high-end brands such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.
mcarthurglen.com
Spring to autumn 2027
What’s on
April 2027
-
2 to 4 April 2027
July 2027
-
9 July to 29 August 2027
Festival Puccini
Torre del Lago, the open-air theatre on Lake Massaciuccoli
Open-air Puccini by the lake near his villa: La rondine, Turandot, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, La bohème and Il trittico.
puccinifestival.it -
10 to 12 July 2027
I Giorni di San Paolino and the Palio della Balestra
Lucca
Three days for Lucca's patron saint: a parade on 10 July, an evening illumination on 11 July and, on 12 July, the crossbow contest between the city's three terzieri.
rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it -
July 2027: so far 17, 20 and 30 July
Lucca Summer Festival
Lucca, on the city walls
Open-air concerts by major international acts; so far Muse (17 July), Take That (20 July) and Simply Red (30 July) are announced.
More concerts are likely to be added.
summer-festival.com
September 2027
-
Evening of Monday 13 September 2027, from 8:00 pm
Luminara di Santa Croce
Lucca, from San Frediano to the cathedral
The high point of the Settembre Lucchese: a candlelit procession through the old town in honour of the Volto Santo, with the street lights off and the buildings lit by candles.
turismo.lucca.it
Every week, every month
-
Third Sunday of each month and the Saturday before
Lucca antiques market
Lucca, around the cathedral of San Martino
Antiques and collectables stalls fill the streets and squares around the cathedral.
20–21 March, 17–18 April, 15–16 May, 19–20 June, 17–18 July, 14–15 August, 18–19 September, 16–17 October 2027
turismo.lucca.it -
Last weekend of each month
Arti & Mestieri
Lucca, Piazza San Giusto
A crafts market in the heart of the old town.
turismo.lucca.it
Dates to be announced
-
Usually early September
Murabilia
Lucca, on the city walls
A garden and rare-plant fair on Lucca's walls, the late-summer counterpart to Verdemura.
luccacrea.it -
Throughout September, centred on 13 and 14 September
Settembre Lucchese
Lucca
A month of religious festivals, fairs, historical re-enactments and concerts, built around the feast of the Holy Cross.
turismo.lucca.it -
Usually the end of October into early November
Lucca Comics & Games
Lucca, throughout the historic centre
A very large comics and games festival that takes over the old town; crowds and traffic are heavy while it runs.
visittuscany.com
Dates are from the organisers and the towns’ own sites; do confirm before you travel. Checked September 2026.
Getting there
- By car, about forty minutes.
- By train from Viareggio station to Lucca, a short walk from the city centre.
Staying at Peralta
Lucca is about 40 min by car from Peralta, where we let stone houses and apartments in a medieval hamlet above Camaiore.
Fiore’s Artist Studio
House · Sleeps 2 · 1 bed
The house has 2 floors, all the rooms face south and have a view of the valley of Camaiore to the sea.
Casa Luigi
House · Sleeps 8 · 4 bed
The house has three floors, all the rooms face south and have a view of the valley of Camaiore to the sea.
La Foresteria
House · Sleeps 5 · 2 bed
The house has large rooms, high ceilings with handpainted beams and is very attractively furnished and decorated.
Also in the area
Firenze
The capital of Tuscany and birthplace of the Renaissance, an hour and a half from Peralta.
Cinque Terre
Five painted villages on the Ligurian coast, and Porto Venere across the bay: an hour and a quarter from Peralta.
The whole area
The towns, the coast, the marble mountains, wine, walks from the door and the restaurants we return to.
The Area