Holiday Home Lucca

Explore Lovely Lucca from your Holiday Home

Lucca is a beautifully preserved Tuscan city about a 30-minute drive north of Pisa.

This city’s many medieval buildings, towers, and monuments never fail to delight tourists from around the world.

Renting a holiday home in Lucca is an exceptional way for families or couples to fully experience this city's important cultural attractions. 

Although Lucca’s history dates back to the Roman Empire, its most celebrated resident was born in the 19th century. Opera buffs should already know that composer Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca in 1858. While in Lucca, visitors must take a tour of the Puccini Birthplace & Museum, which holds many impressive artifacts from the composer’s early life. 

Another important Puccini-related destination in Lucca is the Torre del Lago. In this coastal villa, guests will find another museum dedicated to Puccini’s life as well as his final resting place. The Torre del Lago is also where the annual Puccini Festival is held from July through August. Anyone lucky enough to visit Lucca during these festive months will be treated to live recitals of Puccini masterworks like Madama Butterfly and Tosca. 

Although Puccini is a big deal in Lucca, there are many non-opera related things to see here.

One of the most impressive buildings in the city is the Duomo di San Martino. Sometimes called the Lucca Cathedral, this church is especially well known for a wooden crucifixion statue known as the “Holy Face of Lucca.” For centuries, parishioners at the Duomo di San Martino have claimed Nicodemus created this work after carrying Christ’s body from the cross. 

Anyone looking for an exceptional aerial view of Lucca should walk to the top of the Torre Guinigi. Built in the 14th century, the Torre Guinigi measures about 125-feet tall and has a unique garden on the roof. Interestingly, Napoleon’s sister Elisa is credited with planting the first trees atop Torre Guinigi in the early 1800s. Just be forewarned, you’ll have to walk over 200 steps to reach the top of this tower. 

Yet another fascinating tower to climb in Lucca is the Torre delle Ore. Located near Torre Guinigi, the Torre delle Ore is the tallest in the city and dates back to at least the 14th century. Amazingly, this tower’s clock has been ticking away ever since the 18th century. Just like Torre Guinigi, the Torre delle Ore has no elevators. 

Lastly, anyone visiting Lucca with children should try to plan a trip during the Lucca Comic and Games festival. Usually held during the first weekend in November, this massive comic & games expo is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Visitors will get to try out the latest video games, hear from celebrities in the comic book industry, and see plenty of people dressed up in funky cosplay outfits.