Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno worth booking?
Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno is a 3-hour experience in Livorno, Italy, from $314 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $314 per person
The beautiful walled city of Lucca has something for everyone. Besides being very elegant (to rival Florence in its handsomeness), the town is full of chic boutiques, great restaurants, and awesome gelato. The massive fortification wall that still completely encircles the city is in perfect condition and has been transformed into a tranquil pedestrian greenspace, which makes Lucca idea for families and active adults. You can rent bikes and cruise the wall or simply stroll or sit in the shade of the big trees. There are also many architectural points of interest, such as Piazza dell'Amphiteatro (built on the site of a Roman stadium, the remains of which are still visible) and Palazzo Pfanner (a historic dwelling with a formal garden). This excursion is carried out with an English-speaking driver who will share information as you're traveling. In each location, you will be given time to explore on your own. No tour guide is provided.
What you get
About this experience
The beautiful walled city of Lucca has something for everyone. Besides being very elegant (to rival Florence in its handsomeness), the town is full of chic boutiques, great restaurants, and awesome gelato. The massive fortification wall that still completely encircles the city is in perfect condition and has been transformed into a tranquil pedestrian greenspace, which makes Lucca idea for families and active adults. You can rent bikes and cruise the wall or simply stroll or sit in the shade of the big trees. There are also many architectural points of interest, such as Piazza dell'Amphiteatro (built on the site of a Roman stadium, the remains of which are still visible) and Palazzo Pfanner (a historic dwelling with a formal garden). This excursion is carried out with an English-speaking driver who will share information as you're traveling. In each location, you will be given time to explore on your own. No tour guide is provided.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- English-speaking driver who will give commentaries while traveling (cannot accompany you on foot).
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Entry fees (the fee to view the funerary monument of Ilaria del Carretto is 3 Euro)
What you'll see and do
Le Mura di Lucca
After a 45-minute drive from the port of Livorno, we'll arrive in Lucca. You will be welcomed by the city's amazing ancient wall, and we'll take a drive around the city's perimeter so you can appreciate its beauty and scale. Among the best-preserved Renaissance fortifications in Italy and standing 40 feet (25m) tall, the wall still encircles the entire city. The top of the wall has been transformed into a beautiful pedestrian green space lined with shade trees, where you can stroll or cruise around on rented bikes.
60 minutes here
Basilica Di San Frediano
There has been a church on the site of the present Basilica of San Frediano since the 6th Century. Its Romanesque esthetic came about in the 12th Century and the impressive mosaics on the facade were created in the following centuries. In addition to the mosaics, which draw numerous visitors with their detail in the Byzantine/Medieval style, there is a novel attraction within the church: the mummified body of St. Zita. Zita, who lived during the early 12th century, is the patron saint of domestic workers. Her life was marked by acts of kindness to the poor, including a plethora of miracles, according to legend.
15 minutes here
Via Fillungo
Via Fillungo is Lucca's shopping street. Lined with boutiques and famous-brand stores of all sorts, its the perfect place to shop til you drop while you surrounded by a marvelous Renaissance environment.
30 minutes here
Piazza Anfiteatro
Piazza Anfiteatro sits on the site of the Ancient Roman amphitheatre, which is evidenced by its elliptical shape. The houses that now line the perimeter of the piazza were built on the ruins of the amphitheatre, and you can see some of the original stone blocks on the exterior of the piazza. Piazza Anfiteatro is a lively place filled with restaurant terraces and excellent gelaterias.
30 minutes here
San Michele in Foro
The story of the Basilica of San Michele in Foro goes back about 1200 years. with some reconstruction and restyling along the way. The church is dedicated to Michael the Archangel and sits on the site of the Ancient Roman forum. The facade of the church, with its intricate and diverse columns and sculptures, is an impressive work of art from the 13th Century. If you're looking for a scenic spot to sit and have a refreshment, there are a number of cafès with patios nearby that look onto the church.
15 minutes here
Puccini Museum - Casa Natale, Lucca
Giacomo Puccini, born in Lucca in 1858, is one of Italy's best-known composers from the 19th Century (the storyline and characters from his opera "La Bohème were the basis of the hit musical "Rent".) With your driver, you'll pass by the home where he was born. You can return later during your free time to visit the museum dedicated to his life, if you're interested.
Pass by without stopping
Piazza Napoleone
Piazza Napleone has historically been the political centre of Lucca. During the Napoleonic occupation of Italy, the emperor's sister, Elisa, governed the Principality of Lucca. It was she who commissioned the restyling of the piazza that resulted in its present appearance, an elegant but simple square lined with plane trees, highlighting the ducal palace.
30 minutes here
Duomo Di San Martino
The cathedral of San Martino is another ancient church, with sections of it dating back almost a thousand years (the apse and bell tower). The church contains some notable works of art, the most precious of which is the beautiful funerary monument of Ilaria del Carretto, sculpted by master Jacopo della Quercia.
55 minutes here
Monumento a Ilaria del Carretto
The splendid funerary monument of Ilaria del Carretto was sculpted by Renaissance master Jacopo della Quercia. Ilaria died in 1405 at the age of 26 after giving birth to her second child. The tomb, commissioned by her husband, is a sublime work of art to compare with Michelangelo's David. There is a modest fee (3 Euro) to view the sculpture (optional).
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Dreaming Tuscany Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Car seats for infants and small children are available upon request, as well as boosters
- Wheelchairs and scooters must be collapsible
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience to Lucca!
Claudia was wonderful! We wanted her to drive us to and from Lucca and give us some commentary on the area and the town. She did just that in such a pleasant way. Mostly though, we wanted to explore the town on our own. It’s such a charming place and not so overrun with crowds. Claudia was on time to pick us up in the morning and to meet us when we were ready to go back to the ship. She had the car seat we requested. We were just very happy with her service and our experience!
via Viator
Beautiful day in Lucca
We only had one day in Livorno and wanted to see the city of Lucca. Nicoletta was waiting for us at the cruise pier and drove us to Lucca. During the drive she told us many interesting facts about the areas we drove through.. Once in Lucca, Nicoletta told us about the highlights and what she recommended we see while there. We were on our own to explore this wonderful city.. At the end of our tour Nicoletta was waiting for us to transport us back to the ship....We had a wonderful time and highly recommend this tour and you definitely want Nicoletta to be your guide.... she was knowledgeable, reliable and extremely professional. We will surely request her as our guide on future trips to Italy.
via Tripadvisor
Lucca is a lovely medieval city.
Lucca is a lovely, historic city. Unfortunately it was raining and that impacted our ability to see all of Lucca. Our guide was pleasant and on time. She did not, however offer us much in the way of information or historical knowledge.
via Viator
Purchasing a driver - not a tour.
The driver Guliiani was nice and did go out of his way to get us some extra pictures with the sun flower fields which was very nice. However, you purchase a private excursion and all you get is a driver who drops you off in the middle of town. Your promised a tour of the city, but no tour guide was given. There are probably better ways to travel and see Lucca - a beautiful town. I recommend trying someone else.
Response from the operator: I must respectfully point out that no guided tour was ever promised in the description of this service; in fact, if you read the information provided, we go out of our way to emphasize what your driver can and can't do. (Specifically, they can't accompany you once you exit the vehicle. This is the law in Italy.) The service is called a shore excursion, not a tour, and we clearly state that the service is carried out with a private driver, as follows (caps added for emphasis): In the "What's Included" section, the first point is "ENGLISH-SPEAKING DRIVER who will give commentaries while traveling (cannot accompany you on foot)." The fact that the driver can't accompany you on foot should indicate that they will not be acting as a guide. I'd also like to reemphasize that in NO PLACE do we mention having a licensed guide or a guided tour. If you expected this service to be the same as others for which you had a licensed tour guide, I have to say it's because you assumed something you shouldn't have, which could have been avoided by reading through the section that details what is and is not included. I do thank you for your feedback, despite the 2-star rating, in hopes that this reply will be useful to potential future clients. Additionally, I have added some text to the main description of the service: "This excursion is carried out with an English-speaking driver who will share information as you're traveling. In each location, you will be given time to explore on your own. No tour guide is provided." Respectfully, Sharon Public Relations Manager
via Viator
Fun day in Florence
Our driver Juliano. He took us to the sites, then to an amazing Italian restaurant. He also took us for Gelato. He was very engaging and flexible with us
Response from the operator: Thanks kindly for taking the time to write a review! I’m delighted you were satisfied with your service. I hope to see you again soon in Italy.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $314 to $550
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Dreaming Tuscany Tours, who run 36 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 44.1.
See everything Dreaming Tuscany Tours runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Livorno.
How much does Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno cost?
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Prices start at $314 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Livorno usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Livorno is not rushed.
Is Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Livorno, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Livorno can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Livorno and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Livorno within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Livorno?
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On Outty we rank every Livorno experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Full day Shore Excursion to Florence from Livorno with tasting, Full day shore excursion to Florence and Pisa from Livorno with tasting, Bolgheri: Classic Wine Tasting with Winery Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Livorno?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Livorno?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno?
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Included: Private transportation; English-speaking driver who will give commentaries while traveling (cannot accompany you o; Bottled water; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Gratuities; Lunch; and Entry fees (the fee to view the funerary monument of Ilaria del Carretto is 3 Euro). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Livorno. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Wheelchair accessible; and Car seats for infants and small children are available upon request, as well as boosters. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Livorno. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Lucca Half Day Private Shore Excursion from the port of Livorno?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 4.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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