Florence or Lucca As a Base for Your Trip to Tuscany?

Experience the best that Tuscany has to offer, whether you choose Florence or Lucca as a base.

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Florence or Lucca? Choosing the Right Base in Tuscany

I love Tuscany. It’s hard not to, with its picturesque rolling hills, exquisite food and all the history of the Renaissance and beyond.

But once you’ve decided that you want to visit, the next step is to work out where to stay.

If you’re looking for places within walking distance of restaurants and nightlife, then the cities of Florence and Lucca are the obvious choice. Ah, but then which one?

Choosing between Lucca and Florence is not really about which city is better. It is about what kind of rhythm you want for your trip to Italy, and how you plan to move around.

Both are beautiful Tuscan cities. Both sit on important rail lines. Both offer culture, food and history in abundance. Yet staying in one rather than the other leads to very different experiences of Tuscany.

So which is the best base for you?

Let’s walk you through the options.

Courtyard at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy - Florence or Lucca?

Florence: the Cultural Heavyweight

Florence is one of the greatest cities in the world, never mind Europe, for Renaissance art. World history is concentrated into a compact historic centre, where you can walk from the Duomo to the Uffizi Gallery, cross the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River, and still have time for gelato before dinner.

And the best Florence holiday apartments allow you to do all that amid elegant design in prime locations, with the offer of privacy, comfort and the feel of a truly refined stay.

What Florence Offers As a Base

A base in Florence works particularly well if art, architecture and easy transport connections are your priorities.

You can access works by Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci amid churches, palazzi and museums, while evenings bring concerts, exhibitions and cultural events.

Florence is also exceptionally well connected. Santa Maria Novella is a major rail hub, with Trenitalia services running in all directions. Trains run frequently, often every 30 minutes, making it easy to explore Tuscany without a car.

The only potential issue to highlight is that you won’t be the only person who thinks that Florence is one of the best places to visit in Italy. Summer brings the crowds – you have been warned!

Buildings lit up at night in amphitheatre square in Lucca, Italy - Florence or Lucca?

Lucca: Calmer and Closer to the Beach

Lucca sits west of Florence, enclosed by perfectly preserved ancient walls that now serve as a raised green promenade. It’s a beautiful, relaxed place inside the medieval walls, with trattoria, fountains and plenty of gelato.

If Florence impresses through scale, Lucca wins through detail.

Why Stay in Lucca

To stay in Lucca is to choose the quieter option. The city is compact, highly walkable and noticeably calmer than Florence.

Key sights include the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, built directly over a Roman amphitheater, San Michele in Foro rising dramatically from its piazza, and the Duomo di San Martino with its unusual façade and richly layered interior. The Guinigi Tower, topped with oak trees, offers panoramic views across rooftops and church towers, while the medieval walls provide one of the most pleasant urban walking routes in Italy.

Lucca is also inseparable from music. This is the birthplace of Puccini, whose legacy lives on at the Puccini Museum and through performances near Torre del Lago. Combined with the weekly market, long lunches and small osterie such as Osteria da Pasqualino, Lucca retains a distinctly authentic Italian character.

If you look for apartments for rent in Lucca Italy you can find some real gems: Dimora Italia showcase some exquisite properties with cool blue interiors, privacy and comfort. If you have your own rental property in Lucca, you can really relax and unwind without dealing with other hotel guests.

Plus, it’s closer to the coast and that all important dip in the sea. For more quiet places, check out our list of the best hidden gems in Tuscany.

Tower and skyline of Lucca in Tuscany, Italy - Florence or Lucca?

Lucca and Florence: Distance and Travel Options

Wherever you decide to stay, it’s well worth visiting both places. So, how do you travel between Florence and Lucca? And what works best for a day trip?

See how to see Florence in one day here.

80 Minutes By Train

The train ride from Florence to Lucca is straightforward and scenic. The journey usually takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, although some services are slightly faster. Trains depart from Santa Maria Novella in Florence and arrive at the train station in Lucca, just outside the walls.

The train ride from Lucca is easy to manage, and many travellers go from Lucca to Florence for half a day or longer. It is sensible to buy tickets in advance, ideally tickets online, and to check the time of the last train if you plan to stay late in Florence.

80 Minutes By Car (Ish)

Lucca to Florence by car takes a similar amount of time, typically around 1 hour and 20 minutes via the motorway.

With a car, you can stop and enjoy the countryside, but, of course, you will also have to deal with complications such as restricted traffic zones, parking limitations and the hassle of picking up and dropping off your car rental.

If you’re staying centrally, the train remains the simplest of the available travel options. If you’re staying in an out of town villa, you may find a car more useful.

Historic building in Tuscany, Italy with hills in the background - Florence or Lucca? — There’s plenty to see in Tuscany beyond Lucca and Florence

Tuscany Beyond Lucca and Florence

Lucca’s western location makes it especially convenient for short regional trips. Lucca and Pisa are around 30 minutes apart by train, making it easy to see the Leaning Tower on a brief excursion. Pisa and Lucca combine well for travellers interested in Roman and medieval history, while Montecatini, Viareggio and the coast are also easily reached.

If you are keen to explore Lucca and Pisa as part of a broader itinerary, Lucca is arguably the more practical base.

See how to plan the perfect Tuscany itinerary here.

Colourful buildings along Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy - Florence or Lucca?

How Are Activities Different in Florence and Lucca?

Whether you choose a base in Florence or stay in Lucca, the most memorable trips are often shaped by what you add around your accommodation.

Private city experiences can transform how a place is understood. In Florence, a guided tour with an art historian can provide context at the Uffizi Gallery and help you navigate crowds with purpose. In Lucca, walking tours often explore layers of Roman, medieval and musical history at a gentler pace. I loved a cycling tour I took part in alongside the river.

Art, culture and music also differ between the two. Florence delivers internationally significant collections and architecture, while Lucca offers smaller-scale performances, churches filled with local history and strong links to Puccini and Torre del Lago.

Food and wine experiences are equally important. Both cities provide access to countryside tastings, farm lunches and typical Tuscan produce. With a knowledgeable driver or guide, it is possible to visit small producers without the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads.

High-end apartments increasingly offer tailored services that blur the line between private accommodation and boutique hotels. These can include stocked kitchens, private chefs, transfers, curated itineraries and help securing museum tickets. When handled well, these can really add to your experience.

Bicycle under the arched entrance to the main square in Lucca, Italy - Florence or Lucca?

Choosing Between Two Cities

The decision often comes down to how you want your days to feel.

Florence suits travellers who want major museums, must-see sights and cultural density, who prefer not to drive, and who enjoy an energetic city atmosphere well into the evening.

Lucca suits travellers who value a slower pace, who enjoy atmosphere over spectacle, and who want a city that feels lived-in rather than taken over by tourist crowds. It can also be easier for families and those who appreciate space and walkability.

So, Lucca or Florence?

Florence is the heavy hitter in terms of cultural weight. Lucca has more balance, atmosphere and ease.

Thanks to frequent trains, you can move Florence to Lucca or Lucca to Florence with little effort, take the train rather than drive, and experience both sides of Tuscany in a single trip.

Whether you prefer art-filled days by the Arno River or evenings cycling ancient walls under a changing sky, Tuscany accommodates both.