Lucca’s walls are the most complete set of Renaissance city walls in Italy and the single best reason to spend a day in the city. Begun formally in 1513 and finished in 1650, the third ring of fortifications wraps the old town in a continuous circuit 4.2 kilometres long, with bastions, six gates and wide earth ramparts. They were built for war but never had to fight one, and in the nineteenth century the top was planted with trees and turned into a public promenade. Today it is the city’s park and main street rolled into one: locals run, walk dogs and cycle along the broad avenue on top, children play on the bastion lawns and visitors look down into gardens and across to the towers and church bell towers of the old town. Access is free and the walls are open to everyone, all day.
How it works: you can climb onto the walls by stairs and ramps at the gates and bastions all around the circuit. A brisk walk around the whole ring takes about forty-five minutes, but allow an hour or more to stop and look. Cycling is the classic way to do it, and you will find bike rental shops near the main gates and in the old town. Ride slowly and give way to walkers, since the path is shared. Climbing the steep grassy banks beside the avenues is not allowed.
What to see: the gates tell the story of the walls, from the original Porta San Pietro, Porta Santa Maria and the new Porta San Donato to the later Porta Elisa and Porta Sant’Anna. Several bastions have restored underground passages you can walk through, and the Botanical Garden sits right against the walls on the south-east side. The stretch near Piazza Napoleone and the cathedral gives the best views of the towers.
Good to know: on Saturday mornings a non-competitive parkrun uses the walls, and the Lucca Marathon in October starts up here. In winter the trees are bare and the light is sharp and clear, which makes it a lovely late-afternoon walk before an aperitivo in the old town.
What to expect
The experience
A free, open-access circuit of tree-lined avenue on top of the Renaissance ramparts, which you can walk, run or cycle at your own pace.
Best time
Early morning for the quietest path, or late afternoon for golden light on the towers before an aperitivo in town.
How long
About forty-five minutes at a brisk walk, around half an hour by bike, or longer with stops on the bastions.
Tips
Rent a bike near one of the gates, keep to a gentle speed on the shared path, and stop at the bastions near Piazza Napoleone for the best tower views.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Everyone who visits Lucca, and especially travellers who like to explore on foot or by bike.
- Families
- One of the best family outings in Tuscany: traffic-free, flat, free and lined with lawns and play spaces.
- Couples
- A sunset walk or a slow ride around the walls is the most romantic thing to do in Lucca.
- Pair with
- The Guinigi Tower for the view from above, then lunch around Piazza dell’Anfiteatro.
- Time needed
- One to two hours, depending on whether you walk or cycle and how often you stop.
Good questions
How long are the walls of Lucca?+
The circuit is 4.2 kilometres long. A brisk walk all the way around takes about forty-five minutes.
Is it free to walk on the Lucca walls?+
Yes, the walkway on top of the walls is free and open to everyone. Only some underground areas, linked to the Botanical Garden, need a ticket.
Can you cycle on the walls of Lucca?+
Yes, cycling around the walls is one of the most popular things to do in Lucca, and bikes can be rented near the gates. The path is shared with walkers, so ride slowly.
When were the walls of Lucca built?+
The present ring was formally begun in 1513 and completed in 1650. The city had older walls before that, dating back to Roman and medieval times.
How many gates do the Lucca walls have?+
There are six gates. Three are original, from 1565 to 1628, and three were added in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.