Lucca once bristled with around 130 medieval towers, built by rival merchant families as status symbols, and only two survive intact. The Guinigi Tower is the one everybody recognises, thanks to the small grove of holm oak trees growing on its summit, a living crown that, together with the walls, has become the emblem of the city. The tower was raised in the fourteenth century by the Guinigi, a family of bankers and merchants who for a time ruled Lucca, and it rises 45 metres from the corner of Via Sant’Andrea and Via delle Chiavi d’Oro. Inside, 230 steps in 25 flights lead to the terrace, where you stand among the oak trunks and look out over the red roofs, the oval of Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, the church towers and the green ring of the walls, with hills on the horizon. It is a short climb with a big reward.
How it works: entry is by paid ticket and booking is handled online through the official Lucca tourism site. Reservations are recommended on weekdays and required on weekends and public holidays, when the tower gets busy. Winter hours, which run until the end of January, are 10:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 17:00 at weekends, so in November aim for late morning or early afternoon. The tower is also included in the Lucca VisitCard, the city’s combined ticket for its main cultural sites, which is worth it if you also plan to visit the Puccini Museum or the cathedral complex.
What to expect: the stairs are steep and narrow in places, and there is no lift, so the tower is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. The terrace is small, so visitor numbers at the top are limited and you may wait briefly at busy times.
Making the most of it: climb early in your visit to get your bearings, because from the top you can trace the layout of the whole city and spot where you want to go next. The Torre delle Ore, the clock tower on Via Fillungo, is the other surviving tower and can be climbed too if you want a second view.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided climb of 230 steps inside a medieval tower to a small rooftop terrace planted with holm oak trees.
Best time
Late morning or early afternoon in winter, when the tower closes at 16:00 on weekdays; book ahead for weekends.
How long
About forty-five minutes including the climb, the view and the descent.
Tips
Book online for weekend visits, wear comfortable shoes, and consider the Lucca VisitCard if you will also see the Puccini Museum and the cathedral.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want the best overview of Lucca, and photographers looking for the classic tree-topped tower view.
- Families
- Children who can manage 230 steps love the idea of a forest on top of a tower; there is no lift, so pushchairs stay below.
- Couples
- Standing among the oaks above the rooftops is one of the most charming moments in Lucca.
- Pair with
- A walk to Piazza dell’Anfiteatro nearby, then a stroll down Via Fillungo past the Torre delle Ore.
- Time needed
- Under an hour for the tower, or a morning combined with the Anfiteatro and Via Fillungo.
Good questions
How many steps are there in the Guinigi Tower?+
There are 230 steps across 25 flights of stairs to the top terrace. There is no lift.
Do I need to book the Guinigi Tower?+
Booking is recommended on weekdays and required on weekends and public holidays. You can reserve online through the official Lucca tourism site.
What are the Guinigi Tower winter opening hours?+
Until the end of January the tower opens from 10:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 17:00 at weekends. Check the official page for any changes before you go.
Why are there trees on top of the Guinigi Tower?+
The Guinigi family planted a hanging garden of holm oaks on the summit. The trees have become a symbol of Lucca alongside the walls.
Is the Guinigi Tower included in the Lucca VisitCard?+
Yes, it is part of the Lucca VisitCard combined ticket. The card also covers sites such as the Puccini Museum and the cathedral museum complex.