PRIVATE Full-Day Tour around Pisa and Lucca from Florence

Explore Tuscany’s Top Cities in a Comfortable Full-Day Private Tour

This private full-day tour from Florence offers an effortless way to visit Pisa and Lucca in one day. Priced at $374.53 per person, the tour provides an 8-hour experience with door-to-door pickup from your Florence hotel. An ideal choice for travelers seeking a flexible, personalized visit to two of Tuscany’s most iconic cities, the tour is limited to 7 travelers per group, ensuring an intimate and tailored experience.

The tour emphasizes convenience and comfort, traveling in a luxury minivan equipped with Wi-Fi. The itinerary is designed to optimize your time, focusing on the main attractions at each location, making it a practical choice for those wanting to maximize their sightseeing without the hassle of independent transportation or planning.

While the tour is not guided by an authorized guide inside the monuments, a knowledgeable driver will lead the way, provide tips, and handle logistics, including restaurant reservations and scenic stops. The tour’s flexibility allows you to explore at your own pace, with optional tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa available for an additional fee.

Key Points

• Private, personalized experience for up to 7 travelers, ensuring tailored attention
• Door-to-door pickup from your Florence hotel
• Includes Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli and Leaning Tower, with free admission to the square
• Visits Lucca’s medieval walls, Piazza Anfiteatro, Torre Guinigi, and historic churches
• Comfortable ride in a luxury minivan with onboard Wi-Fi
• Stops for photos and sightseeing with flexible timing
• Optional €4 ticket for access to Torre Guinigi’s hanging garden
• Tour duration of approximately 8 hours, with lunch and tower climbing as extras

Departure and Logistics Specifics

The tour departs from Florence around 9:00 am, with pickup at your hotel or specified address. Pickup times can be adjusted upon request, and an email or WhatsApp confirmation the day before helps coordinate the details. The group size is limited to 7, ideal for a personalized experience. In case of rain, umbrellas are provided by the driver, ensuring comfort regardless of weather.

The duration of the stops varies from 30 minutes at Piazzas and churches to 2 hours at Lucca, providing enough time to explore and enjoy each location without feeling rushed. The tour is suitable for most travelers, though some walking is involved, especially at sites like Torre Guinigi and Le Mura di Lucca.

Visiting Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower

After a comfortable drive from Florence, the first stop is Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, visitors marvel at the Duomo Baptistery, with its perfectly manicured grass lawns, and the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. While admiring the tower’s unique tilt, visitors often enjoy capturing amusing photos, adjusting camera angles to make the structure appear upright.

The free admission to Piazza dei Miracoli allows ample time to soak in the atmosphere and observe the monumental architecture. For those wishing to climb the Leaning Tower, tickets are not included but can be purchased separately for 4 euros. This optional activity is popular, offering spectacular views of Pisa and its surroundings from the top.

Inside Pisa’s Historic Walls and Exploring Medieval Streets

Traveling through Pisa’s medieval city gates, visitors enter a city filled with history and charm. The tour emphasizes the main sights within the city walls, allowing you to appreciate Pisa’s timeless beauty despite the crowds. The 30-minute stop at the square offers a chance to take photos and appreciate the architecture’s grandeur, with the Piazza dei Miracoli serving as the focal point.

The drive through the historic suburbs is brief but impactful, setting the scene for the next stop in Lucca. This approach ensures you spend minimal time in transit and more time exploring the key highlights.

Discovering Lucca’s Medieval Walls and Renaissance Streets

Following Pisa, the tour progresses to Lucca, famous for its perfectly-preserved Renaissance-era city walls. The 2-hour visit includes a leisurely stroll through the stunning streets and piazzas, which exude a medieval atmosphere. You’ll learn about Lucca’s significance along the Via Francigena route, a historic pilgrimage corridor.

The Piazza Anfiteatro, built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater, stands out for its lively ambiance and charming architecture. It’s an ideal spot for a lunch break or simply to enjoy the medieval surroundings, with many restaurants lining the square.

Climbing Torre Guinigi and Enjoying Panoramic Views

Next, the tour visits Torre Guinigi, Lucca’s most famous tower, crowned with a hanging garden. For €4, visitors can ascend to the top of the tower, where they are rewarded with breathtaking views of Lucca and the surrounding countryside. The climb is short, but the scenic vantage point offers a memorable perspective on the city’s rooftops and distant hills.

The hanging garden adds a unique element, providing a peaceful spot atop the tower and a striking contrast to the medieval architecture below.

Visiting the Main Churches of Lucca

The Duomo di San Martino, the city’s main church, represents a key spiritual and historic site. Restored after a lengthy period, it showcases artworks and architecture that reflect Lucca’s religious heritage, dating back to the sixth century. The church’s impressive façade and interior make it a worthwhile stop.

Similarly, San Michele in Foro offers a glimpse into Lucca’s artistic legacy. This basilica, dating from the year 1000, features a priceless marble statue of Archangel Michael defeating the dragon. Its location in the Roman center emphasizes the city’s layered history.

Walking or Biking on Lucca’s City Walls

One of the tour’s highlights is the opportunity to walk or bike along Lucca’s city walls. The walls are well-preserved and offer stunning panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside. Bikes can be rented for €4 per hour, enabling a relaxed exploration of the fortress walls at your own pace.

This activity provides a refreshing perspective of Lucca’s historic defenses and is a favorite among visitors who enjoy outdoor activities and scenic vistas.

Practical Details and Optional Extras

The tour excludes lunch and climbing tickets to the Leaning Tower, but suggests excellent spots for dining within Lucca or Pisa. The driver can offer recommendations, and the flexible schedule allows for personalized experiences. The maximum group size of 7 ensures an intimate atmosphere, ideal for family groups or small parties.

In case of bad weather, umbrellas are provided by the driver, maintaining comfort and convenience throughout the day.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

This private tour suits travelers who appreciate comfort, flexibility, and personalized attention. It’s perfect for those interested in art, architecture, and scenic views, with enough time to explore at your own pace. The combination of Pisa’s iconic monuments and Lucca’s charming streets offers a well-rounded glimpse of Tuscany’s cultural wealth.

The tour’s duration and stops are designed to balance sightseeing with relaxation, making it suitable for most travelers with moderate walking ability. Those seeking a guided experience inside the monuments may want to supplement with an additional guide, as this tour emphasizes driver-led exploration rather than guided tours inside each site.

Final Thoughts on the Private Full-Day Tuscany Experience

The PRIVATE Full-Day Tour around Pisa and Lucca provides an efficient, hassle-free way to see two of Tuscany’s most beloved cities in a single day. Its luxury transportation, personalized approach, and carefully curated stops make it a practical option for visitors with limited time.

While not including guided inside visits or lunch, the tour offers flexibility and comfort, with optional activities like tower climbing and the chance to enjoy local cuisine in charming squares. The consistent high ratings and positive reviews highlight the professionalism and friendliness of the driver, making this a recommendable choice for those wanting a tailored, relaxed day in Tuscany.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of this private tour?
The tour costs $374.53 per person and includes hotel pickup, transportation, and sightseeing stops.

How long does the tour last?
The full-day tour runs for approximately 8 hours, starting around 9:00 am.

Are tickets to climb the Leaning Tower included?
No, tickets are not included and cost €4 per person if you wish to climb the tower.

Is lunch included in the tour?
No, lunch is not included, but there are many restaurants at Piazza Anfiteatro and other stops to choose from.

Can I customize the itinerary?
The tour is private, allowing some flexibility in timing and stops, especially if requested in advance.

What attractions are free to enter?
Most churches, Piazza dei Miracoli, Piazza Anfiteatro, and city walls are free to visit.

What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Umbrellas are provided in case of rain.

Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes, most travelers can participate, though some walking or climbing stairs may be involved.

How do I confirm or change the pickup time?
A confirmation email or message will be sent the day before, and pickup times can be adjusted upon request.

What makes this tour different from other day trips?
Its private, tailored approach with hotel pickup, flexible schedule, and luxury transportation distinguishes it from group tours.