Amazing Day Trip To Pisa and Lucca Italy

Are you thinking about a trip from Florence to Pisa and Lucca Italy?

Awesome! We did the same thing on our last trip to Italy!  It was a great experience!  I would definitely recommend adding Pisa and Lucca to your Italy itinerary!

In this post,  we will give you an overview of both Pisa and Lucca.  These two cities can be added to your Italy itinerary and explored in one day.  

You can easily take a day trip to Pisa and Lucca from Florence or if you are planning a cruise and have a stop at cruise port Livorno, they are a short distance away. 

I am excited to answer as many questions you might have in this post, and if you have more when you are done reading make sure to comment below!

Also, I recommend getting an Italy Travel Guidebook before you plan your trip. 

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Day Trip to Pisa and Lucca from Florence

We had so much fun touring Florence but we found we had extra time and wanted to take a quick day trip to Pisa and Lucca from Florence.

There are many day trips in close proximity to Florence but ultimately we decided to go from Florence to Pisa and Lucca.

I am a sucker for tourist attractions and since the Leaning Tower of Pisa is so close to Florence it seemed like the right choice!

As we looked into taking a trip from Florence to Pisa, we found that Lucca was fairly close.

A good friend had mentioned how wonderful Lucca was and had suggested we visit if we had any extra time. We decided to visit both Lucca and Pisa.

Where is Lucca?

You probably have heard of Pisa, but have you ever heard of Lucca?  Lucca is a medieval city that is actually enclosed inside a wall.  It is not to far from Pisa. 

Ultimately, we decided that our day trip from Florence was going to be Lucca and Pisa!  It is amazing and I highly recommend it!

It might make more sense for you to stop in Lucca first and then head over to Pisa.  I think I was just so excited about the Leaning Tower of Pisa that we headed straight there.  Then on our way back to Florence, we stopped in Lucca.  

I am going to highlight Pisa first then Lucca. 

Day Trip Florence to Pisa

We decided to take the Florence to Pisa train.  It takes approximately 49 minutes and costs about 10 Euros.  There are at least 49 direct trains that leave each day from Florence central station. 

The train ride is lovely because you will get to see the beautiful Tuscany countryside.  You will get off at the Pisa train stop to begin your day trip from Florence.

Why Go to Pisa Italy? 

The main reason to go to Pisa is that it is the home of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  The tower was constructed in 1372 and was leaning upon final construction. 

Also, located in the same area is the Piazza Del Duomo, the Baptistry,  and the Cattedrale di Pisa.

Is Pisa Worth Going To?

Absolutely.  Seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is amazing!  It is such an iconic site and should be included on a one day in Pisa itinerary  I really liked it.  The best part is taking pictures by it.

This is one of those sites that you learn about when you are in elementary school and it was a fantastic experience to see it in person!

How Long Do I Need in Pisa?

I am a fast traveler.  I like to see as much as possible in a short amount of time but I believe most people would say that 3 hours is perfect for your Pisa day trip.

Is Pisa Safe?

Also, I felt the area was very safe!  My best advice is to stay in areas where there are people around. You shouldn’t have a problem buying souvenirs. If getting a cute statue of the leaning tower is on your list then this is the place.

What to Expect in Pisa

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, “The Leaning Tower of Pisa” is the main attraction!  This site really did not disappoint!

I think it is absolutely amazing how this landmark has lasted centuries and is still a marvel to look at.  It is located in the Piazza dei Miracoli or Square of Miracles.

Let’s explore the top things to do at he Leaning Tower of Pisa.

1. Photographs at the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The best part is taking pictures!  There will normally be many tourists around but you can totally get the shots you are aiming for by standing along a fence some distance away from the actual tower. 

We had so much fun putting our hands in the air and making the illusion of the tower falling on us!  Spending time capturing the moment is a highlight of a day trip to Pisa!

2. Touring the Leaning Tower Of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a bell tower and was used to keep time. Going inside is an option and you can purchase tickets online.  The tower has 251 steps and takes about 30 minutes to tour.

Also, within the square is the Cathedral or Duomo di Pisa, and the Pisa Baptistery.

If you purchase a ticket to go up in the tower you will also have a free pass to the Cathedral, which is still an active place of worship. The baptistery costs extra unless you are disabled or are accompanying a child under the age of 11.

3. More Things to Do in Pisa in One Day

After you visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa there are a few other Pisa tourist attractions you can check out.  But first, be sure to buy some souvenirs! 

Buy Souvenirs in Pisa

Souvenirs are cheaper in this area compared to Florence and Venice. This is the spot to pick up some really inexpensive treasures!

More Things to Do In Pisa in One Day

Just as a side note, there are a few less popular attractions, but we did not venture to see them. 

One worth mentioning is walking along the River Arno and seeing the Santa Maria della Spina.  It is a beautiful little church along the river. 

Also, the Camposanto Cemetery is a highlight in the city, there are frescoes throughout.

Top Pisa Itinerary Options

• Campostanto Cemetery
• Golf Cart Tour that includes Santa Maria della Spina
• Bike Tour of Pisa
• Pisa Walking Tour

How to Get to Lucca From Pisa

After leaving Pisa, we hopped on the train and headed to Lucca.  You should be able to jump on a Pisa to Lucca train.  It is about a 25-35 minute train ride.

There are at least 25 train departures a day from Pisa Centrale Station. It cost about 4-5 Euros each way.

Arriving in Lucca Italy

Lucca Italy is close enough to Pisa to include in your day trip from Florence or from the cruise port Livorno.

We had heard that the city of Lucca was a nice medieval town that was surrounded by a wall. Once we arrived, it was really awesome to see an entire town within the wall. The Lucca wall was so impressive! You could call it the walled city of Italy. 

Is Lucca Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Yes! The city of Lucca is known for its well-preserved Renaissance walls, cobblestone streets, and its historic city center. We loved visiting and would go back! 

Lucca city is not as touristy as Pisa.  However, there are a lot more tour options for your Lucca itinerary. The atmosphere in Lucca is laid back and inviting.

Things to Do in Lucca Italy

Lucca city is this amazing medieval city!  It has a well-preserved Renaissance wall that circles the city center which you can walk along. 

There are cute cobblestone roads within the wall and narrow streets to wander around. This beautiful town also has many towers, as you look out from the top of the Lucca wall you will notice them all around!

Cars are not allowed within the Lucca wall, so plan ahead if you decide to drive. This is not a touristy place to visit like the big cities.  You will find normal people living their lives and not huge tour groups.

1. Rent a Bike in Lucca Italy

Renting bikes is a great option! We loved riding along the top of the Lucca wall! It is a worthwhile experience!

We spent a few hours making our way around.  We rented a two-passenger bike.  Riding around the Lucca wall is exciting and fun!

It was a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the beautiful city of Lucca, getting exercise, and spending quality time together.

2. Duomo di San Maritino

We also visited the Cathedral of Saint Martin or Duomo di San Martino.  

We didn’t have time to do all of the fun things to do in Lucca, but I will give you a good list of other great options of fun things to do in Lucca! 

Things to Do in Lucca Italy

• Walking Tour of Lucca
• Historic Carriage Ride
• Cooking Class in Lucca
• Biking in Lucca
• Horseback Riding in Lucca
• Lucca Food Tour

Day Trip to Cinque Terre from Lucca and Pisa

After you explore Pisa and Lucca consider a day trip to Cinque Terre.  It is a little further north to Cinque Terre, it is beautiful!

Sadly, we did not have enough time to go.  I considered going to Cinque Terre from oPrt Livorno but, I just don’t think there is enough time to do it all. 

Best Things to Do in Lucca and Pisa

Visiting Pisa and Lucca is such a great day trip! I wanted to give you my top 3 options for some of the best things to do in both Pisa and Lucca. 

1. Pisa and Lucca Walking Tour

One way to explore Pisa or Lucca is by going on a guided walking tour of Pisa.  or a walking tour of Lucca. This is the way to learn all about the history of the town and get the insider scoop! 

These tours are usually available from April – to October and are about one hour long. 

2. Pisa and Lucca Tour from Florence

If you are planning on visiting both Pisa and Lucca booking a guided day trip from Florence is perfect.  The Pisa and Lucca Tour provides a guide the entire time which helps if you are nervous about catching trains.

3. Bike Ride in Lucca City

One of the best things we did was rent bikes so be sure to book a bike tour in Lucca! 

Have Fun In Italy

Hopefully, this post helps you know what to do in both Lucca and Pisa! There are so many fun things to do in Lucca and Pisa! I know you will have a blast!

If you have any questions be sure to ask in the Facebook Group! 

Traveling Through Italy

If you are traveling to Italy and want to explore more cities check out my other posts.

If you have one week in Italy it is possible to visit lots of cities.  We started in Venice with a Romantic Venice getaway. Then headed to Florence, Pisa and Lucca, and Siena.  After visiting Tuscany we headed to Gaeta, Naples, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii.

If you are looking for another reason to visit Italy or some great Safety Travel Tips for Italy before you travel be sure to read more on planning away!

You will also want to pick up the best Italian gifts and Italian souvenirs! 

Facebook Community

If you need advice about your upcoming trip join our Travel Community on Facebook. This group is full of amazing people that will answer any questions you might have.  Join us and we can help!

Also, if you would like a Free Italy Guide with itineraries and restaurant suggestions sign up and I will email them to you.

If you are looking for a great Italy Travel Book be sure to get Rick Steves Italy Guide.