Lucca is one of Italy’s wealthiest cities. Not too much of Il Crisi for Lucchesi! A mix of Tuscan villa wealth, well-trod English ex-pats, day-tripper distance to both Cinque Terre and Florence will do it. Plus Lucca has plenty of its own many attractions – walled city, medieval towers and alleyways and, being Puccini’s birthplace, lots of classical music concerts. All of which makes it a bit of an expensive place to visit. OK, not as extortionate as Florence, but certainly no cheap thrill. Or is it? Here are five free (or really really cheap) things to do in Lucca on a budget.
- Cycle the city. Bike hire is six euro for an hour, which is enough time for two leisurely giros around the wall. And its fun to cycle on a wall!
- Free spring water. Drink water like the locals do and fill your empty plastic water bottles with pure water from two taps in the city. On a Sunday the locals turn up with crates of empty water bottles. It’s almost a social event.
- Free music concert. Check the Tourist Information Office for details of the mostly monthly FREE concerts held by the students at Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali.
- Check out the ancient underground wine alley which stretches under two shopfronts. The proprietors are very happy to allow people to have a look. Just don’t break any of the dusty bottles – it will quickly turn into a big expense!!
- Picnic and passegiata on the walls. Grab a 3 euro focaccia and a Chianti Classico and enjoy the dolce vita on one of the many park benches on the walls. If you are still there at twilight watch the passing parade of Lucchese doing their passegiata.
bike walk eat 
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