Often overlooked by people visiting Tuscany, Lucca is indeed a little gem full of history and wonderful architectural examples from the Renaissance: the old walls, the Duomo di San Martino, the famous Piazza Anfiteatro with its unique oval shape.
Lucca, The Nottolini Aqueduct
Apart from loafing around the old narrow streets, enjoying every little corner, a lovely way to explore Lucca and its surrounding is a stroll by bike.
Lucca, Testing the Bikes
While you can easily hire a bike and have tour of the city walls by yourselves, a guided tour adds a lot to the experience.
Emilio and Serena are two nature guides who founded Eco-guide, with the objective to let people discover the beautiful surroundings of Lucca. Slowly, on foot or by bike, to fully savor the landscape.
Lucca, a View on the City from the Walls
After having tested and chosen the right bike, the tour started on the ancient walls circling the old city. From there, the perspective is different and it wasn’t long before we stopped to catch a few photos of beautiful historical buildings.
Bloggers at work
We then headed towards the outskirts of Lucca and pedalled along the Nottolini aqueduct. Seen from above, the arches of the aqueduct are quite impressive.
Lucca, the Old Aqueduct and the Temple Cistern
At the far end there’s the old ‘Temple Cistern’ – owing its name from its circular shape – from where we enjoyed the view on the entire aqueduct and a glimpse on the mountains.
After the Bike Stroll... Time for Ice-Cream
Back in Lucca, we treated ourselves with a little rest and a well deserved ice-cream. Emilio and Serena told us a little more about Eco-guide excursions, which include education walks with kids in the woods, bike rides in Garfagnana and night walks on Monte Pisano. And as Emilio and Serena are very attentive to the environment, every starting point is reached by train.
Lucca, Duomo di San Martino
Our stroll is almost over. Heading back to the bike rental we stop for a while to admire the gorgeous Duomo di San Martino and its wonderful marble sculptures and carvings.
Our day in Lucca turns to its end in the most beautiful way: a lovely sunset with a view on Lucca’s old walls.
Sunset in Lucca
Note: the day in Lucca was part of the Blog Trip “Like a Local Between Pisa & Lucca” organized and hosted by Casa Gentili (a lovely B&B near Pisa) and Avventurosa (travel social media specialists). However, all views and opinions expressed are uniquely personal.
Biking around the wall and in the surroundings is truly a lovely experience. I’m sure you and Alan would love it!
Lucca is one of my favorite Italian cities. I enjoyed walking in the old town on a Saturday afternoon in October. Many locals, especially teens, were busy shopping in the boutiques. Great people watching! Next time, I want to ride bikes around the wall!
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I haven’t been to Lucca yet. This looks like a truly wonderful way to spend the day. And such beautiful architecture!
so nice! i wanna visit Lucca on bike, and have icecream:)
I loved cycling in Lucca and the loop atop the city wall provides great views, however the track is short! Don’t plan on just cycling the wall. You can loop it several times in only a half hour. Although navigating the cobblestone streets is tougher, you’ll get to see more of the city that way.
Glad you loved it. It’s one of my favorite places in Tuscany and biking the walls is a fabulous way to experience it!
I have a house in Bagni di Lucca (near Lucca) where I spend several months a year. I love Lucca!! I have never found the start of the aquaduct. You have inspired me to have a good look.
Lucca is becoming very busy with tourists in summer. I hope it doesn’t become too popular.
I can hardly imagine anyone visiting Lucca and not falling in love with the city. And you’re right about the Guinigi Tower… Quite impressive!
I really enjoyed my visit to Lucca. I walked around the walls and the city streets. I was most impressed by the Guinigi Tower with the oak trees Holm Oak trees on top and the view over the rooftops, walls out to the hills beyond.
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