Your property in Lucca
The range of property in Lucca spans the entire spectrum from chic city centre apartments in terracotta-roofed buildings through to villas with stunning views and restored farmhouses with parcels of land.
For those who enjoy the liveliness of Italian urban living, central apartments are perfectly placed, while rare but truly historic homes appear within the old city walls, which still remain.
For families, properties on the edge of the city are a compelling option, as larger plots often include amenities such as swimming pools.
Inside Lucca
Lucca’s history is pristinely preserved, with the city being the only one in Italy whose ancient walls – in this case built in the 16th Century – remain intact.
The city’s past is also visible in the exceptional architecture that remains, with its amphitheatre piazza, Guinigi Tower, San Martino Cathedral and Puccini’s house among the many extraordinary sites.
From city-based viewpoints, the surrounding mountains and countryside, including rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards, can be seen, and all can be readily explored by outdoor enthusiasts.
Landscape
The near sea-level city sits on the Serchio river, with its most historic part encompassed by its ancient Roman walls.
Beyond the city, quintessential rolling hills spread out into the distance, with nearby natural parks, such as Migliarino San Rossore, and lakes, including Lago di Massaciuccoli, perfect for outdoor adventures.
And the coast is just a few miles away with the spectacular Speggia della Lecconia beach in nearby Torre del Lago.
Education
Lucca has its own international school, something foreign buyers often like about the city. Other options are also available in Tuscany, including in Siena and Pisa.
Families in Tuscany have an exceptional choice of universities to choose from, with two in Pisa – Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies and Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa – in the top three further education institutions in Italy.
Elsewhere, the University of Florence is extremely well-regarded, ranked in the top 11 Italian universities.
Activities and Entertainment
The city’s remarkable ancient walls now double as a pedestrian promenade, offering visitors an excellent chance to traverse the oldest part of Lucca, which boasts cobbled streets and several piazzas.
Opera composer Giacomo Puccini is Lucca’s most celebrated resident, with his house now serving as a museum with portraits, scores and sketches charting his life. His operas are performed every year on Lago di Massaciuccoli, while in nearby Montecatini Terme, visitors can experience the warm spa waters where Puccini himself relaxed.
In terms of green space, the city offers excellent botanical gardens while the hills to the east of the city are perfect for hiking and cycling, and nearby beaches offer relaxation in the sun as well as access to water sports.
Art and Culture
Lucca is packed with churches and museums that offer a peek into the city’s fascinating past including its pivotal role in regional trade, while sites such as Piazza Anfitiatro – known as the amphitheatre – help export you back to the 2nd Century Roman era.
Besides the city’s deep history, it has a vibrant and lively modern culture, with weekly markets and antique fairs.
The city has a full events calendar too, with its Summer Festival – a month-long homage to rock and pop - one of the most notable.
Food and Drink
Lucca’s cuisine is inspired by the wider Tuscany region that the city sits in, with bean and vegetable soups, such as farro soup, among common dishes.
But like most Italian cities, it has also formed several of its own recipes, including tordelli Lucchese, stuffed with either beef, pork or vegetables and a dash of nutmeg, while polenta and salt cod often form the basis for local specialities.
Chestnut flour is widely used in desserts, including necci, or crêpes, filled with ricotta, while pasimata bread, which takes two days to make and is flavoured with raisins and aniseed, is common in Lucca at Easter.
In terms of wine, Lucca has its own DOC, or denominazione di origine controllata, which defines the area a wine comes from, the method used to make it, and also guarantees it meets a certain standard.
Accessibility
Lucca is just 25 minutes from Pisa International Airport, while Florence’s Peretola airport is just under 100 kilomtres away.
The city also has excellent rail links, with its station offering regional services to nearby destinations such as the coast, and cities like Pisa and Florence, where high-speed connections are available.
By road, Lucca has direct access to the Versilian coast, Pisa, and Florence.