Things to do in Lucca

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic building in Italy, located in the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. It is a freestanding bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral and, together with the adjacent cathedral, baptistery, and cemetery, forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower has a cylindrical appearance and is constructed of white marble. Its structure leans toward the southeast at an angle of approx. 4 degrees. Construction of the leaning tower began in 1173, though the foundation bears a Latin inscription marking the start year as 1174, because the calendar used in Pisa at the time was one year ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Construction was halted multiple times due to uneven foundations and soft soil layers, and it was not declared complete until the bell chamber was finished in 1372, spanning nearly two hundred years. The tower has eight levels in total: the base level features a blind arcade, while the remaining levels are surrounded by open arcades, with more than two hundred arches in total. The base wall is carved with reliefs, and the top level is a belfry housing seven bells. Climbing the tower is the core experience of visiting the Leaning Tower. The spiral staircase inside has nearly three hundred steps, and as you ascend the narrow stairs, the tower's tilt creates a subtle illusion of being on a ship. Upon reaching the top, the view suddenly opens up, allowing you to overlook the entire Piazza dei Miracoli and the city of Pisa. The interior of the tower is hollow, and through the glass on the top floor, you can see directly down to the bottom. Some steps are quite smooth, so visitors need to watch their footing when climbing. On the square, visitors are often seen stretching out their arms and striking various creative poses for photos with the Leaning Tower, which has become a unique travel memory exclusive to Pisa.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Piazza del Duomo

The Miracle Square is the top priority of visiting Pisa. The four major buildings on the square - the Cathedral of Pisa, the Baptistery, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the cemetery are all artistic masterpieces in the history of architecture. The square was one of the centers of the essence of medieval art and had a profound influence on subsequent architectural design, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. The square takes its name from a description in a novel by the Italian writer and poet Gabriel D'Annunzio. The Pisa Cathedral in the center of the Pisa Cathedral Square was built in the 12th century AD and is a masterpiece of medieval Romanesque architecture. The mosaic decoration inside the church is mixed with Byzantine style, forming its unique "Pisa Romanesque style". Opposite the Baptistery of Pisa Cathedral is the Baptistery, which mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles. You can visit the middle of the Baptistery along the spiral staircase inside the Baptistery. The cylindrical structure, double dome and white marble make the interior of the baptistery even more beautiful. Leaning Tower of Pisa Behind the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the well-known Leaning Tower of Pisa, which itself is the bell tower of the cathedral. In the early stage of construction, the leaning tower tilted an average of 1 mm per year, and the work was stopped for a while, and the repair work has continued to this day. The rectangular building next to the Pisa Cemetery Church is the Pisa Cemetery. The tombstones, sculptures and frescoes on the cloister are also worth seeing. In addition, there is a tourist rest area on the large lawn of Miracle Square, where you can take various photos with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, buy souvenirs and snacks.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Pisa Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady of Pisa is located in the Miracle Square in Pisa, Tuscany, central Italy. The whole church has a strange architectural style and a very good environment. It is worth visiting.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Lucca

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Athletic Square is located on the south side of the northeast section of Filengo Street. It used to be an oval arena in ancient Rome. Later, the arena slowly fell down and was later demolished. The architect re-planned the site, thus forming a Such an oval square today. Now when you come to the square, you will see that the previous houses have become residential houses, souvenir shops, coffee shops and bars, which are very interesting.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Pisa

The Baptistery of San Giovanni

It is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic style, with a huge dome 35 meters in diameter and four intricately carved gates, but it gives a unique impression from the outside. The interior has very good lighting and sound effects, and it is also worth checking out.

Piazza Napoleone

Located in the center of Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, Piazza Napoleone is one of the main squares of this historic city, blending classical architecture with a modern atmosphere. The square was planned and built in the early 19th century by Napoleon's sister, Elisa Bonaparte, on the site of a former medieval market and monastery. Today, the square is surrounded by historic buildings, and its central green space features neatly planted trees that showcase different natural beauty throughout the changing seasons. The square features elegant architecture, surrounded by typical Tuscan-style buildings with warm colors and red roofs, embodying the architectural character of central Italy. It is the center of daily life for Lucca residents, where you can often see locals strolling, relaxing, or meeting up with friends. Piazza Napoleone is not only a witness to Lucca's history but also an ideal place for tourists to experience local life and feel the pulse of the city.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Lucca

Cathedral of Lucca

Cathedral of Lucca was founded in the 11th century and is a Romanesque-style building. The church's exterior is constructed entirely of white marble, with the lower part of the bell tower featuring local red stone and the upper part white marble. The interior was later renovated in the 14th–15th centuries, and its architectural style reflects the characteristics of that era, making it well worth a visit.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Lucca

Guinigi Tower

Guinigi Tower is located slightly east of the center of Lucca and has a small grove of oak trees on top, which is why it is commonly known as the tower with trees.

Le mura di Lucca

The city walls of Lucca were built in the 16th century. There are 12 curtain walls, 11 bastions and 4 city gates. The appearance looks different from the Chinese city wall. The tall city wall surrounds the old city, and the wider area can accommodate the next car. On weekends, many people ride around the city wall.

Porta San Pietro