Lucca & Pisa

Staying at Hotel La Pineta al Mare puts the best of Tuscany at your fingertips.
Our location at Via Mazzini 65 is the ideal springboard for an excursion that combines two legendary art cities in one day. But a trip between Lucca and Pisa is only complete if marked by the right flavors: here is how to organize your day between beauty and fine dining.

Logistics and Travel

• Car or Private Driver: From our hotel on Via Mazzini, you can reach the highway in 10 minutes. Lucca is about 25 minutes away. Moving from Lucca to Pisa takes another 20-25 minutes. This is the best option for total freedom between courses.
• Train: The "Forte dei Marmi-Seravezza-Querceta" station is less than 10 minutes by taxi from the hotel. Frequent connections to Lucca and Pisa allow you to forget about parking.

The Food and Art Itinerary

Morning: Lucca, the Walls, and a Historic Snack Arrive in Lucca around 9:30 AM. After a stroll along the 16th-century walls, your first appointment is with tradition.

• The Tasty Stop: Look for a historic bakery in the center to taste Buccellato, the typical Lucchese sweet bread with raisins and anise ("If you come to Lucca and don't eat buccellato, it's as if you were never here"). If you prefer something savory, don't miss the local Focaccia, thick and soft.
• To See: Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and the Guinigi Tower.

Lunch: Traditional Lucchese Flavors Before heading to Pisa, stop at one of the trattorias in the city center.

• What to Order: Try the Tordelli Lucchesi (fresh pasta filled with meat and served with a rich ragù) or Garmugia, a historic soup made with fresh spring vegetables and meat. Pair it with a glass of red wine from the Lucca Hills.

Afternoon: Pisa and a Coffee Break in the Square After lunch, a 25-minute drive brings you to Pisa. After admiring the Leaning Tower and the magnificence of Piazza dei Miracoli, take a break.

• The Tasty Stop: Stop for a coffee at one of the historic bars overlooking the square or head toward Borgo Stretto. For a unique local treat, look for Cecina, a savory, thin, and crispy chickpea flour tart—perfect for an afternoon snack.

Evening: Return to "Il Forte" In less than 40 minutes, you will be back at Via Mazzini. After such an intense day, the garden at Hotel La Pineta al Mare awaits you for a relaxing aperitivo before you head out to one of Forte dei Marmi’s renowned restaurants for dinner.