Lucca and surroundings: the perfect slow Tuscany escape

There are places in Tuscany that reveal themselves slowly. Lucca is one of them.

At first glance it may seem simply a perfectly preserved Renaissance town, enclosed within its ancient walls, set between gentle hills and the sea. But spend even a short holiday here, walk through its quiet streets or stop in a small square where everyday life unfolds without hurry, and it quickly becomes clear that Lucca is much more than that.

This elegant corner of Tuscany has long been loved by those looking for a different way of travelling: an experience built not around busy itineraries, but around the simple pleasure of enjoying a holiday at a slower pace.

The beauty of Lucca lies in its balance

Inside the historic walls, the city moves with a natural calm. Choosing a home in Lucca’s historic centre means waking up in the morning and beginning the day among soft conversations and the gentle clinking of coffee cups in the cafés.

You might cross the city by bicycle, riding peacefully along its cobbled streets, stopping at the small neighbourhood shops that have existed for generations, where locals still pause to exchange a few words.

The city walls welcome joggers and cyclists commuting to work. Walking past medieval towers you eventually arrive at the famous Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, and by climbing Torre Guinigi you can enjoy a sweeping 360-degree view that begins with the rooftops of the city and stretches across the surrounding countryside.

This is the Lucca most visitors first discover, a place that never fails to surprise with its beauty.

Then there is the Lucca of everyday life: the markets (including the Mercato Antiquario Lucchese, which fills the historical centre with stalls on the third Sunday of each month and the Saturday before) the shops where you can truly find everything, and the restaurants that still preserve the flavours of traditional Lucchese cuisine.

Among our favourites are Gli Orti di Elisa, a place we can now consider something of a local institution, and Osteria La Dritta, a newer and more contemporary restaurant with an urban feel that we are certain will soon earn a special place in the city’s dining scene.

Where to stay in Lucca

Staying in the centre of Lucca means experiencing the city as those who live here do.

Among the homes available in Lucca’s historic centre, Casa Lilla, for example, is perfect for those who want to explore the city on foot. It sits just a few steps from Via Fillungo and the beautiful Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. This classic Tuscan house is arranged over three levels and has been tastefully restored while preserving its original architectural features. On the ground floor there is a secure space for bicycles, ideal for exploring the city on two wheels, while at the top of the house a small private terrace overlooking the rooftops offers the perfect setting for an evening aperitivo at sunset, surrounded by the atmosphere of Lucca.

Another beautiful option in the historic centre is Casa Lauren, located inside the majestic Palazzo dei Nobili, once home to the Banca d’Italia. Here historic elegance blends with modern comfort. The Tessieri marble floors run throughout the apartment in refined geometric patterns, echoing the spirit of old Lucca. Staying here means experiencing the quiet charm of the historic centre, with everything just a short walk away.

Villas and countryside near Lucca

Just beyond the city walls, the Lucca countryside opens into gentle hills, vineyards, olive groves and medieval villages that seem suspended in time. Here Tuscany reveals its most authentic and unhurried side, perfect for anyone looking for a true slow Tuscany escape.

Mornings begin with open windows and warm air drifting in from the garden. The day may unfold with the discovery of a hidden hilltop village, a long outdoor lunch beneath ancient olive trees, and a quiet moment on the terrace, while evenings stretch slowly under vine-covered pergolas, accompanied by the golden light of sunset.

Staying in the Lucca countryside offers something many travellers are increasingly looking for: space, silence and the feeling of living within the landscape, rather than simply visiting it.

What makes Lucca truly special is the sense of authenticity it conveys. Life here moves at a human pace: bakeries open early in the morning, trattorias serve recipes that have not changed for decades, and evenings still belong to the simple ritual of a stroll through the piazza before dinner.

It is a place where slowing down feels natural, and where every stay, whether in the city or in the countryside, becomes a slow experience that stays with you.

Choosing a villa near Lucca allows you to experience Tuscany in a more personal and unhurried way, guided more by curiosity than by schedules.

In the countryside around Lucca you will find many homes that perfectly reflect the spirit of this landscape: old stone farmhouses, villas surrounded by olive groves and hilltop houses overlooking the valley.

These are welcoming homes designed for outdoor living: shaded gardens, terraces where breakfast is enjoyed in the morning light, and large tables beneath pergolas where summer dinners stretch long into the evening.

Many villas near Lucca offer a private swimming pool, perfect for cooling off on warm days and enjoying a glass of wine at sunset. Others, perhaps smaller and more intimate, simply offer the quiet of a garden, the scent of olive trees and the feeling of being immersed in nature.

There is no single way to experience the Lucchese countryside. Some travellers look for a villa with a pool near Lucca where they can spend most of the day outdoors, while others prefer a house in the hills to use as a base for exploring villages and the surrounding territory. In both cases, what makes a stay here special is the same thing: a sense of space, light and time moving more slowly.

Browse our homes in Lucca and the surrounding countryside and start planning your own slow escape in Tuscany.