Lucca is a delightful city to visit, offering plenty to see and do for all tastes and ages. From climbing the Guinigi Tower to exploring the Cathedral or touring the city’s excellent gelaterias, there’s something for everyone!
During our recent weekend in Lucca, we made sure to enjoy all of these experiences. But, according to a survey among our children (ages 5, 7, and 11), the most popular activity by far was the pedal rickshaw ride on Lucca’s city walls. And I have to agree with them!
The stunning Renaissance walls encircling Lucca’s historic center are entirely walkable — a 4.2 km (2.6 miles) path surrounded by greenery and blissfully car-free. You can explore it on foot or by bike, making it ideal for those who want some exercise or just to enjoy a relaxing stroll at their own pace.
The walk along the walls is one of the experiences that makes Lucca truly unique. If you enjoy cycling, you can rent a variety of bikes from shops around the city, often located right near the walkways that go up on the walls.
For groups, I think the most fun option is renting a leg-powered surrey, available in 2-, 4-, or 6-seater models (there is even the electric version, just like an e-bike).
Since there were five of us, we opted for the 6-seater from Poli Cicli Lucca. Even so, only three of us were pedaling because the younger kids couldn’t quite reach the pedals!
The rentals are hourly, ranging from 14 to 20 euros per hour (with a minimum rental of 1 hour) and 30 euros for the electric version. Prices may vary slightly by shop. You leave an ID with the shop and pay when you return the rickshaw, based on your actual time used.
Getting up onto the walls with the large rickshaw wasn’t exactly a breeze! At first, I thought the pedal-assisted version would have been a good idea. But once we were up, the path was mostly flat, making it easy to pedal. We soon relaxed and started enjoying the ride, taking in views of the monuments on one side and the rest of the city on the other, with mountains on the horizon. Since it was a Saturday afternoon, some parts were quite crowded with people out for a stroll, but a little attention and a light touch on the pedals and brakes were all we needed!
We saw many other groups on the rickshaws, and everyone seemed to be having a great time!
I don’t know of any other place in Tuscany where you can have such a simple, family-friendly experience like this one.
Taking our time, we completed the entire loop of the walls within the hour, with several extra minutes to spare. And we certainly earned our gelato!
