The Best Hotels in Lucca for Every Traveller

Within the walls of the old city, Palazzo Dipinto is the first design hotel in Lucca. Vaulted ceilings and huge windows are a reminder of its history as a garage for horses and carts. Attic suites come with exposed wood beams and skylight views over the rooftops. Most rooms look over the piazza below if you fancy a spot of people-watching from the comfort of your room.

Decked out like an aristocratic family home, this boutique hotel in the historic centre of Lucca is one part ancient tower and one part 15th-century townhouse. Each of the six rooms has individual charm and style with frescoed ceilings, oil portraits and exposed ancient brickwork. Spend an evening in the avant-garde lounge where retro-chic leather furniture sits under a bright red chandelier in an eccentric hang-out.

Just outside the Renaissance walls, this art nouveau B&B is a little slice of home. The sunny garden is filled with terracotta pots and statues and the antique furniture inside brings some old-world Italian charm, just like the blue stucco facade. A continental breakfast buffet is served in the sunny breakfast room. Located outside the limited traffic zone and with private parking, this place is perfect if you’re arriving by car.

This boutique hotel has origins as a 12th-century palace. The antique wood floors in every room retain an air of old charm, as do the gilded bed frames and marble counters. Bagging a junior suite means a private balcony overlooking the terracotta roofs of the old town, and a whirlpool bath in the ensuite. All the restaurants and sights of the historic centre are right outside the door of this Italian-kitsch hotel.

The resplendent artwork and antique furniture in every room of the Palazzo Tucci are a reminder this place used to be an opulent 17th-century palace. Each of the six, massive bedrooms have frescoed ceilings and original furniture. The dining salons recall the lavish dining experiences of 17th-century Tuscan aristocracy, with wall-sized oil portraits and ornate cornicing filling the vast halls. Should you tire of staring at the fabulous artwork, the atmospheric bars and restaurants of central Lucca are just a stroll away.

Watercolour scenes of the Tuscan countryside adorn the walls of each room in this four-star boutique hotel. There’s also a gourmet restaurant offering Tuscan cuisine cooked with precision and a vast wine list focussed on local vineyards. Stepping out of the front door, you’re right in the thick of the medieval old town and near all the sights of Lucca.

For a peaceful escape, this typical Tuscan villa is set in lush gardens at the foot of woodland hills. Arriving via the tree-lined driveway, guests see a canary-yellow facade with green shutters that just screams Tuscan charm. Enjoy an aperitivo by the pool on the terrace while you take in views of rolling countryside. It’s 15 to 20 minutes away from central Lucca.

Each of the six rooms at this charming, central B&B is named after works by the Lucca-born composer Giacomo Puccini. Some feature four-poster beds and all have a sparkling chandelier in the centre of the ceiling, a nod to the 16th-century roots of the mansion. A continental buffet breakfast of local pastries and charcuterie is served in the morning.

If you’re driving into Lucca but want to stay near the heart of the old centre, Lucca in Villa Lucrezia is just outside the city walls and has private parking. A former home built in the 19th century, the history of the property can be seen in parquet and terracotta-tiled floors and exposed wooden beams in the bedrooms. To get to the heart of the sightseeing and dining scene, simply stroll through Porta Elisa and you’re in the old city.

An old building meets modern decor at this tiny boutique hotel in the heart of Lucca. With just four rooms, the service feels personal. Each room has a view of the nearby Guinigi Tower, which is a two-minute walk away. Splash out and book a superior queen room if you want a hot tub. Breakfast arrives in the form of a deal with a nearby cafe.

At the foot of the rolling Tuscan hills, this charming old farmhouse enjoys the peace of the countryside. It’s a 15-minute drive into the heart of Lucca, but with wine tastings, cooking lessons, yoga weekends and a swimming pool available, you might not want to venture far. Apartments are on offer for couples and whole villas can be rented for families and groups.

Found between Piazza San Michele and Piazza Napoleone, this small guest house has cute rooms and studios for those who prefer self-catering. This is easy on the wallet, a perfect city bolt-hole for budget travellers. The rooms are quiet at night despite being in the very centre of town, surrounded by bars, cafes, and restaurants.

With modern art adorning the walls, this bright and airy hotel offers rooms and self-catering apartments in the heart of Lucca. The common spaces have a ramshackle, eclectic charm, while wood-beamed ceilings hark back to the medieval period when this place was built. The small garden has a cluster of colourful chairs, making a cool hang-out spot during the day.

Surrounded by fields and hills, this Tuscan villa is just outside Lucca, on the edge of Nozzano Castello village. A grand entrance hall with an opulent chandelier lets you know you’re in for a luxurious stay. Impressive rooms have retained their 18th-century frescoes and finishings, while the manicured gardens feature a swimming pool and views of the hills. Self-catering apartments are also available.