Lucca: Day Trips and Tours from Livorno

Tucked into a valley encircled by the mountains of central Italy, Lucca is a city that contains millennia of history in its sheltered locale. Just one hour north of the popular cruise port of Livorno, Lucca is easy to experience on a shore excursion. En route to Lucca is legendary Pisa with its leaning tower, and a visit here enhances almost all Lucca day trips.

Explore Lucca’s medieval walls, gothic churches and Roman ruins during a full-day tour that also stops in Pisa. Take in some of the best of Italy on a Lucca day trip from Livorno.

Here's all you need to know about Lucca, one of the most exciting day trips from Livorno.

How to get to Lucca from Livorno?

Medieval Lucca sits about 50 kilometers north of Livorno, and Pisa with its famed leaning tower is conveniently located along the way.

From Livorno to Lucca by car

There are several driving routes to Lucca from Livorno that take from 45 to 70 minutes to travel. For the easiest access, drive south on Livorno’s surface streets until you reach the SS1. Follow the SS1, A12/E80 and A11/E76 to SS12 in Lucca. Take the Lucca Est exit to reach the city center.

From Livorno to Lucca by train

Frequent trains from Livorno train station to Lucca are affordable, and the train line also runs through Pisa. For around €10 per person, you can use the IC and/or REG lines for the approximately 60-minute journey. Pisa is roughly 20 minutes into the journey if you choose to add a stop here to your itinerary.

Guided tour to Lucca from Livorno

Especially designed for cruise passengers, guided tours to Lucca from the cruise port in Livorno are efficient, low-stress and range from budget-friendly to luxury experiences. Eliminate the worry of coordinating your own transportation and the limited time frame of a cruise port of call by booking an 8-hour tour to Lucca and Pisa.

What is the typical itinerary?

Set out between 8:30 and 10:30 AM from the cruise port or a central location in Livorno. Sit back and enjoy the air conditioning and Wi-Fi during the 1-hour drive to Lucca. Join a tour group or explore on your own during your 2.5 to 3-hour visit. Spend time taking in Lucca’s ramparts, the elm-topped Torre Guinigi and the Piazza di Anfiteatro.

Pisa is included on most tours to Lucca, sitting about half-way between Livorno and Lucca. Here, you can fill your 1- to 2.5 hours of free time with a guided tour, climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower and admiring the Piazza dei Miracoli. Both group and private tour guides are attentive to cruise ship departure times and guarantee your on-time return to the port.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Lucca?

Shuttle transfer without guide to Lucca and Pisa from Livorno

Ideal for budget-conscious and independent travelers, board a coach to discover Lucca and Pisa in one day. Many transfers also offer maps to aid your explorations of the two cities.

Guided tours to Lucca and Pisa from Livorno

Make the most of a cruise stop in Livorno with a guided tour package. With round-trip transportation and fascinating walking tours, see some of northern Italy’s top destinations with ease. Many guided tours offer upgrades for tickets to climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Private tour to Lucca and Pisa from Livorno

Escape the crowds of cruise ships and coaches with a private day tour to Lucca and Pisa. Enjoy the comfort of private transportation and special attention just for you and your group. Private tours are often the best option for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility.

Private tour to Lucca from Livorno plus Carrara marble quarries

Go to the source of the marble that makes up some of Italy’s most revered sculptures and structures. Tour the quarries that have been producing some of the world’s best marble for centuries. Then, take in Lucca at your own pace with several hours of free time.

Private tour to Lucca and Pisa from Livorno plus Florence

Reach three of the most coveted towns in Tuscany with a private tour. Spend 3 hours in the Tuscan capital of Florence as well as an hour in both Lucca and Pisa. Private transportation assures you an on-time arrival back at Livorno port.

How much does a day trip to Lucca from Livorno cost?

Budget-minded travelers can see Lucca and Pisa from Livorno for around €35 per person. These round-trip shuttle transfers are designed with cruise passengers in mind. With close attention to cruise schedules, drivers escort you to the two towns, leaving ample time to make your way to the must-see locales.

For a slightly higher cost, choose a package that includes a walking tour of Lucca and Pisa for a full price of around €40 per person. Many packages offer an upgrade to purchase tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa for around €70 per person. These options also offer walking tours of the two towns.

Private Lucca and Pisa tours cost between €115 per person and €445 per person, depending on group size and whether the tour pauses at a local winery. For winery experiences, the €25 per person tasting fee is an additional cost.

Lucca and Carrara marble quarry tours cost between €80 per person to €320 per person, depending on group size. For €10 per person, add a marble tour by jeep. Private tours to Lucca, Pisa and Florence cost from €140 per person to €550 per person, depending on group size.

What will you see and do?

Lucca

After soaking in the scenery during your 1-hour ride to Lucca, stretch your legs in this charming and lesser-known neighbor of Pisa. You’ll have between 1 and 3 hours here to fill with a guided tour or wandering on your own.

Must-see destinations in Lucca include the medieval city walls, the Torre Guinigi and the Piazza di Anfiteatro. Lucca’s ancient ramparts enclose the town’s well-preserved Roman street layout. Marvel at the Church of San Michele that stands on the remnants of the Roman forum.

If you’re feeling energetic, pay the approximately €10-per-person entry fee to the Torre Guinigi for the best views in town. Earn yourself some gelato by climbing the 232 steps to the top of the tower. At the top, bask in the shade of a cluster of elm trees that have made the tower their home for more than 400 years.

Step inside the Cathedral of San Martino to spy the “Volto Santo”. This carved wooden relic is purported to be a “true portrait of Christ” carved by Nicodemus, an eyewitness to the crucifixion. Enter the 6th-century Church of San Frediano, mentioned in Dante’s Inferno. Here you’ll peer at the mummy of Saint Zita who’s drawn the pious since the middle ages.

Lucca is known for its olive oil, so don’t leave without experiencing its distinctive flavor. Bring home souvenirs or even just photos from the Via Fillungo, Lucca’s popular shopping district. Escape the sun in the narrow, winding street as you search for memorable or delicious purchases.

Pisa

Conveniently breaking up the trip back to Livorno from Lucca is Pisa, too enticing to miss. Piazza dei Miracoli is where you will find Pisa’s main attractions. The piazza’s four religious monuments, the baptistry, cathedral, camposanto and bell tower have drawn pilgrims and admirers alike for centuries.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been protected by defensive walls for almost 1,000 years. The piazza’s Battistero di San Giovanni is the oldest baptistry in Italy and features mind-boggling acoustics. You may hear a visitor break into song in order to test this phenomenon.

The hulking cathedral is the piazza’s largest structure. Its interior boasts frescoes depicting parables from the Bible. The camposanto, or cemetery, legendarily contains earth shipped over the Mediterranean from Golgotha. The soil from the hill where Jesus was crucified adds an extra level of sacredness to this holy site.

The famously leaning bell tower maintains its integrity despite continuing soil shifting. Some tours provide tickets to climb the tower’s many stairs for the vistas you won’t forget.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

Most tours to Lucca from Livorno are not wheelchair friendly. However, many private tours can accommodate wheelchair users with advance notice.

When is the best time to visit Lucca?

The best times to visit Lucca are generally during the spring (April to June) and fall (September and October).

During these months, the weather is typically mild and pleasant, making it perfect for walking around the city, exploring the historic sites, or simply lounging in one of the city's many beautiful piazzas. Plus, these periods see fewer tourists compared to the high summer season, which means you'll get to enjoy the city without the large crowds.

Are there any tours to Lucca from other cities in Italy?

Yes, there are tours departing from another city in Italy:

• Day trips to Lucca from Florence

Travel tips

• Don't miss trying local specialties like tortelli lucchese (meat-filled pasta), tordelli (a type of ravioli), and hearty soups like minestrone di farro (spelt soup). Pair these dishes with a glass of local Tuscan wine.
• When visiting religious sites, ensure you dress respectfully by covering your shoulders and legs.
• Lucca can get hot, so ensure you pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Take along water to stay hydrated.