Best Things to do in Lucca with Kids – Italy Family Travel Guide
Looking for things to do in Lucca with Kids? Lucca is a beautiful and historic city in the north of Italy with plenty to offer whether you are interested in history, culture, food, or just enjoying the Italian way of life. Here we have put together a family friendly guide to this beautiful Tuscan town for your Italian family holiday.
Lucca with Kids
Italy has many beautiful cities and towns, but one of our all-time favourites is the stunning town of Lucca, in the region of Tuscany.
This walled city is charming, easy to visit, and is a perfect stop between the busier cities.
Rich history and culture, Lucca boasts a vibrant atmosphere, is surrounded by beautiful scenery, filled with great food and wine.
Explore the city inside the walls, climb the tower, grab a gelati or take a bike ride.
Not only is Lucca a beautiful destination for a family holiday in Italy, but it’s strategic location makes it one of the best small towns in Tuscany as it is the perfect base to visit some of Tuscany’s most popular places such as Pisa, Florence, the Cinque Terre and more.
As a former tour guide, travelling with groups all over Italy, I visited Lucca regularly and it still holds a special place in my heart. As a mum, I recommend Lucca as a must see destination in Italy for any family if you are in the area.
How to Get to Lucca, Italy
If you are flying in the easiest airport to arrive from Italy or some Italian cities is Pisa. From there you get an inexpensive bus ride that should take just under an hour.
From larger cities you will need to arrive in Rome or Milan and get the train or a transfer.
The best way to travel through Italy from major cities like Rome, Forence or Naples, is via train. Italy has an extensive network of fast-speed inter-city trains and regional services that connect larger cities as well as smaller towns.
Arriving via train is easy enough as Lucca is located just 20 minutes from Florence which is connected to most large Italian cities.
When to Visit Lucca with Kids
As with many Italian cities the best time to visit Lucca with kids is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) which is out of the peak tourism time. The winter months (December-February) are also quite comfortable if you don’t mind the cooler weather. From June-August it is Summer and can get very hot, especially within the city walls.
Getting Around Lucca with Kids
The easiest way to get around Lucca with kids within the walls is on foot or by taxi. It is quite small so you can walk to most places easily. If you go outside the walls, there are busses available.
The train station is located outside the city walls about 5 minutes from the city centre so you can walk quite easily.
Things to do in Lucca with Kids
Find below the best things to do in Lucca with kids and also things to do for day trips.
1. Walk or bike around the city walls
One of the best things to do in Lucca with kids is to take a bike ride around the medieval city walls. These well preserved walls that surround the city are what Lucca is most known for. You can rent bikes of all sizes from the various bike rental shops around the town and ride around for as long as you like taking in all of the stunning views.
Not into riding? It is also easy to walk, although it will depend on the ages of your children how far they can go.
2. Climb the towers
Another fun thing to do in Lucca with kids is to climb a tower. There are 2 kid friendly towers that are easy enough to climb and the views from the top are amazing.
Torre Guinigi is the most recognised and the one you will see on most postcards of Lucca. The other is the Torre delle ore which is the clock tower. Both towers are great to climb but the clock tower in particular is great to visit on the hour so you can be there when the clock strikes, very cool to see (and hear). Both have similar views.
3. Hang out in the Piazza
If you are visiting Lucca with kids you can’t miss Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, a beautiful and unique oval-shaped square located in the heart of Lucca.
The square was built on the site of a Roman amphitheater that dates back to the 2nd century AD. It was used for gladiatorial contests and other public events.
As with many Italian towns, the piazza is a great hang out place to just people watch. Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is one of the best places in Lucca for kids to run around and for parents to relax with an aperitivo with a view.
4. Attend one of the events or festivals
Lucca has various different events and festivals throughout the year so make sure to take a look at things happening around the time when you are planning your travels.
One popular event in Lucca is the Lucca Summer Festival which is held in June and July where you can find lots of live music. The city really comes alive during this time.
If you do plan to visit Lucca when there is a big event on, you will need to book accommodation further in advance as it will most likely book up faster.
5. Explore the botanical gardens
Lucca has a beautiful botanical garden called the Orto Botanico Comunale di Lucca. The garden is within the walls and a beautiful spot to visit and explore. The kids especially will love exploring the gardens and seeing the different plants and flowers. There is generally a small fee for entrance but worth a visit.
6. Eat Gelato
Ok so this is on our list in any town you visit in Italy, but still it is a must do when coming to Italy. No trip to Italy is complete without trying some gelato! Lucca has various gelaterias so make sure to try a few different flavours throughout your stay.
7. Let the Kids Run Around on the Playgrounds
Lucca for kids isn’t complete without a playground visit and it will give the kids a chance to run around and burn off energy. There are a few to choose from. Piazza dell’Anfiteatro Playground in the square, Giardino Botanico Playground and the Parco di Villa Bottini Playground are probably the most popular.
8. Take a day trip to another Tuscan Town
When you travel with kids, it is much easier to stay in one place for a week or so, and take a day trip to visit surrounding cities. Lucca is perfect for this scenario.
Pisa and Florence are just a short train ride away, and in the other direction you have the Cinque Terre. You can also head to Sienna, San Gimignano, or Chianti if you are happy to travel a couple of hours.
Pinocchio Park is a great one for the kids, it’s an amusement park inspired by the famous children’s story Pinocchio and has rides and attractions based on the characters in the book.
Lucca, Italy with Kids
If you’re planning a trip to Lucca with kids, this gorgeous town has plenty to offer for families. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and lively atmosphere, it makes a great addition to your Italy family holiday and a great spot to base yourselves while exploring Tuscany too. Read our full Family Travel Guide below:
