Pisa and Lucca are 22 kilometres apart and almost always mentioned in the same breath. In practice they are very different cities — different in scale, atmosphere, culinary tradition, and the kind of visitor they suit. This is what you need to know to choose between them, or decide whether to do both in a single day.
If food is a big part of your travels, some visitors also choose to continue their journey with a dedicated day in Emilia-Romagna, where products like Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, and Prosciutto di Parma are made.
1. The Culinary Scene: Sea vs. Land
Pisa is a city with deep maritime roots, and this is reflected in its cuisine. The city’s proximity to the coast means that seafood is a staple. Dishes like Spaghetti con le arselle (spaghetti with clams) and stuffed mussels in Pisan style are must-tries for seafood lovers. Pisa also has Cecina, a savoury pancake made from chickpea flour, and Pizza Pisana, which features anchovies, capers, and parmesan. For those with a sweet tooth, Torta coi bischeri — a rich cake made with chocolate, rice, raisins, and pine nuts — is the distinctly Pisan dessert.
Lucca offers a more rustic, land-based culinary experience. The city is known for its charcuterie — particularly Biroldo, a spiced blood sausage unique to the Lucca area, and Bazzone ham, cured for longer than Parma ham and eaten in thick slices. Polenta with stewed rabbit is a staple reflecting the region’s peasant traditions. Buccellato, the sweet aniseed and raisin ring bread sold at Pasticceria Taddeucci since 1881, is the city’s signature product. For the full picture of what to eat in Lucca, see our Lucca food guide.
2. Accommodation: Proximity vs. Character
Pisa has a wider range of accommodation, from budget guesthouses near the university to larger hotels. Staying close to the Leaning Tower puts you near the main attraction but in the most tourist-heavy part of the city. The area around the university and south of the Arno gives better value and a more local atmosphere.
Lucca is the stronger base if atmosphere matters to you. Staying inside the city walls — in a boutique hotel or apartment near Piazza dell’Anfiteatro or Piazza San Michele — puts you in a compact, walkable historic centre with far fewer crowds than Pisa in the evenings. Supply inside the walls is limited and books up fast in summer; plan ahead.
3. Travel Connections: Getting There
Pisa is the main transport hub. Pisa International Airport is five minutes from the city centre and connected to Pisa Centrale station by the People Mover shuttle. Pisa is also a major railway junction with frequent trains to Florence, Lucca, Livorno, and the coast. If you are arriving by plane or want maximum flexibility for a wider Tuscan trip, Pisa’s connections are hard to beat.
Lucca has no airport but is 25 minutes from Pisa by train, with direct regional services throughout the day. Trains also connect to Florence (around 1 hour 20 minutes) and La Spezia. For cruise visitors docking at La Spezia, both cities are within easy reach — our Pisa shore excursion from La Spezia includes private transport from the port and a guided street food tour covering cecina, schiacciata, and Vin Santo. Our Lucca shore excursion takes you from the port into the walled centre for tastings of tordelli, buccellato, and local wine.
4. Atmosphere: University Town vs. Walled City
Pisa is a university city of around 50,000 students — the energy is urban, the nightlife is active, and the Campo dei Miracoli draws large numbers of visitors year-round. Away from the main tourist corridor, the residential neighbourhoods and student cafes around the university are lively and relatively uncrowded.
Lucca has a quieter, more enclosed character. The Renaissance walls — 4.2 kilometres of intact fortification walkable and cycleable on top — create a clear boundary between the walled city and the modern suburbs outside. Inside, the streets are narrow, the piazzas are lively without being overwhelming, and the pace is noticeably slower than Pisa’s historic centre. Lucca in the evening, after the day visitors have left, is significantly more pleasant.
Which city should you choose?
Choose Pisa if: you want to see the Leaning Tower, you have a flight from Pisa Airport, you prefer a wider range of hotels and restaurants, or you want a lively student-city atmosphere.
Choose Lucca if: you want a quieter, more authentic Tuscan experience, local food rather than tourist menus, or an atmospheric base for an overnight stay. Lucca is also the better choice for a day trip from Florence if you want more than a quick photo stop.
If you can manage both — the 30-minute train connection makes it straightforward — the combination works well: Campo dei Miracoli in the morning, train to Lucca after lunch, walk the walls in the afternoon. For those visiting from the north, Lucca also sits within easy range of the producers of Parma — a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy visit from Lucca takes about 90 minutes each way and is a natural full-day extension.
Whichever city you choose, there is a reason Lucca has been drawing international attention — discover why Lucca was named Italy’s best destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pisa or Lucca better for a first-time visitor to Tuscany?
It depends on what you want. Pisa is better if you want iconic landmarks (the Leaning Tower), easy airport access, and a lively student-city atmosphere. Lucca is better if you want a quieter, more authentic Tuscan experience — medieval walls, cobblestone streets, excellent food, and far fewer crowds. Many visitors do both in a single day, as they are only 20 minutes apart by train.
How far is Lucca from Pisa?
Lucca is approximately 22 km from Pisa. By train, the journey takes around 30 minutes with frequent direct services throughout the day. By car it takes around 25 minutes. The two cities are easy to combine in a single day trip.
Can you visit both Pisa and Lucca in one day?
Yes, comfortably. A typical itinerary: arrive in Pisa, see the Leaning Tower and Campo dei Miracoli (allow 2–3 hours), then take the train to Lucca (30 minutes) for the afternoon — walk the city walls, explore the historic centre, and have dinner. Return to Pisa or onward by train in the evening.
Which city has better food — Pisa or Lucca?
Both cities have strong culinary traditions, but they differ in style. Pisa has a maritime kitchen — seafood pasta, cecina (chickpea flatbread), and coastal influences. Lucca has a richer, more rustic land-based cuisine — biroldo (blood sausage), bazzone ham, polenta with stewed rabbit, and the famous buccellato sweet bread. Food travellers tend to find Lucca more rewarding.
Is Lucca worth visiting, or is Pisa enough?
Lucca is absolutely worth visiting — many travellers who make it their base end up preferring it to Pisa. The intact Renaissance city walls (you can walk or cycle the full circuit), the compact historic centre, the lack of mass tourism, and the quality of local restaurants make it one of Tuscany’s most underrated cities. If you only have time for one, Lucca is the more rewarding choice.
Which is better to stay in — Pisa or Lucca?
Lucca is generally the better base. Its boutique hotels and B&Bs within the city walls offer a more atmospheric and characterful stay, and the city is quieter and more liveable than Pisa. Pisa makes more sense if you have an early flight from Pisa Airport (which is only 5 minutes from the city centre) or prefer a wider range of budget accommodation options.
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