Your stay — Butterfly
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The Property — Butterfly
The Butterfly is a no-fuss three-star just inside Lucca's Renaissance walls, a short walk from the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. The lobby is small and functional, with tiled floors and a reception desk that doubles as a bar in the evening. It suits travellers who want a clean, central base without frills — think families, couples on a budget, anyone prioritising location over luxury. The real USP is the courtyard garden, where you can eat breakfast under a vine-covered pergola.
Chronicles of Lucca
Lucca began as a Ligurian settlement, became a Roman colonia in 180 BCE, and still has the rectangular street grid to prove it. The massive brick-and-limestone wall you see today was built between 1544 and 1650, never successfully breached, and now serves as a tree-lined park. In the Middle Ages, Lucca was a major silk-trading centre, rivaling Florence, and its wealth paid for the dozens of Romanesque churches like San Michele in Foro. Today the city is known for its intact walls, Puccini's birthplace, and a quiet, prosperous atmosphere that prefers gelato to mass tourism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lucca guide →Best months
September and June offer warm, settled weather with fewer crowds than July and August; May is also excellent for blooming gardens on the walls.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak, driven by European summer holidays and the Lucca Summer Festival concerts (late June to early August). Hotel prices in Lucca can double or treble in July; the Butterfly typically sells out weeks ahead in these months.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best shoulder months: temperatures are milder (15–22°C), accommodation is often 30–40% cheaper, and the streets are noticeably emptier. Mid-week in early October is particularly good value.
Weather & packing
Summer in Lucca is hot and humid, with occasional thunderstorms rolling over the Apuan Alps in the afternoon. Pack a light rain jacket or an umbrella even for a July stay — the downpours are brief but intense.
Live City Briefing — Lucca
- Lucca's city walls are undergoing partial resurfacing at the Porta Elisa section through summer 2026; cyclists and walkers are diverted via the Porta Santa Maria route.
- The Lucca Summer Festival runs 20 June–5 August 2026, with concerts in Piazza Napoleone and along the walls — expect noise in the evenings if your room overlooks the square.
- A new bike-sharing station has opened at Piazzale Verdi, making it easier to hire a bike to ride the 4.2 km of walls without queuing at the main rental shops.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Butterfly, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the internal courtyard. These rooms are quieter and avoid street-level noise while benefiting from a bit more light and air in Lucca’s historic centre.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of the ground floor (it can pick up street noise and has less privacy) and any room directly above the lift shaft—noise from the machinery can be noticeable in a 3-star building without heavy insulation.
Best views
Ask for a higher floor (2nd or 3rd) facing the piazza or a quiet alley—this gives a glimpse of Lucca’s terracotta rooflines or a slice of the city walls, depending on orientation. Avoid views directly onto a main road (likely Via Fillungo or similar) if available.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest—they’re above the street hubbub but below the roof, which can heat up and lack sound buffering in summer.
🔊 Noise notes
Lucca’s historic centre is pedestrianised but lively: expect church bells from nearby basilicas, occasional street musicians, and early-morning delivery trucks on service streets. The hotel’s location within the walls means sound bounces off the stone buildings—choose a courtyard room for relief.
Insider tips
1. Parking is outside the walls—use the underground parcheggio near Porta Elisa (about 5 minutes walk) and take the lift up to street level; the hotel may offer a discount ticket if you ask at reception. 2. Breakfast is often served in a small courtyard or ground-floor room; request a terrace-facing table if available—it’s worth the 5-minute wait to avoid the cramped indoor setup.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Butterfly
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed about 15 Mbps download, sufficient for streaming. Login via room number and surname provided at check-in.
No lift – this is a converted 19th-century townhouse; all rooms on first, second and third floors via stairs
No physical newspapers. A few Italian TV channels in rooms; no digital newsstand.
Check-in 14:00-22:00; free bag drop from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 for €30, if available
Free storage at reception for early arrivals or late departures
No step-free access – two steps up at main entrance and no lift; unsuitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parcheggio Carducci (Piazza Risorgimento), €1.50/hour, €12.00/night (20:00-08:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night (max 5 nights, children under 12 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €100 incidental hold placed on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Oratorio di San Marco (131 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Giuseppe (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Belvedere Puccini — 75 m · ~1 min walk
Villa Museo Giacomo Puccini — 106 m · ~1 min walk
Gran Teatro all’aperto Giacomo Puccini — 351 m · ~4 min walk
Ninfea — 319 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Farmacia San Andrea — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Torre del Lago Puccini — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs (bancomat) for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux near tourist sites and the airport, which add high fees and poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere; contactless is standard even for small amounts. Amex less so; cash still needed for some market stalls and small bars.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service: round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% if genuinely pleased), leave small change for taxis or hotel staff (€1–2 for bags/cleaning).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A caffè (espresso) at the bar counter: about €1.10–1.30. Sitting at a table can double the price.
Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) or a panino from a forno/rosticceria: €4–6 with a drink.
A pasta or pizza main course in a trattoria: €10–14. A glass of house wine €3–4.
Via Fillungo and Piazza dell'Anfiteatro have takeaway pizzerias, focaccerie and gelaterie; look for lunchtime 'pranzo veloce' options. For sit-down cheap eats, try the area near the market in Piazza del Mercato.
Conad, Coop, and Lidl are common here; Conad has a useful city-centre branch near Piazza Napoleone.
Via Fillungo main street has mid-range Italian chain stores (OVS, Bata shoes) plus a few independent boutiques; for basics try the Conad area or Carrefour Express.
The historical centre is walkable; for longer trips use the LAM bus (€1.50 single, €3.50 day pass). From Lucca train station to Florence/Pisa: €8–12 one way. The budget way from the airport (Florence or Pisa): direct train from Pisa airport to Lucca (€9.30, 80 min).
Eat and drink standing at a bar counter rather than a table to halve prices. Fill a reusable water bottle at the public 'fontanella' fountains around town. Book train tickets in advance online for inter-city discounts.
Good to know — Lucca
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Lucca112 is the single European emergency number for police, ambulance, or fire. 118 is the local ambulance number, 115 is the fire brigade. For non-urgent police matters in Lucca, call 0583 4491.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Lucca, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Butterfly
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia San Andrea — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Hotel Le Giraffe, Lucca → Lucca Porta Elisa (city centre)
💡 Bus stop is 50m from the hotel, corner of Via Romana & Via delle Ville. Buy tickets at the tabacchi on Via Fillungo (€1.50 each, 90-min validity). You can walk to the walls in 10 minutes—only bother with the bus for grocery trips to the Coop on Via Pisana.
Lucca Railway Station (Piazzale Ricasoli) → Hotel Carlos, Via Fillungo
💡 Use line L (blue bus) from the station—get off at 'Via Fillungo 2' stop. But honestly, the whole historic centre is flat and walkable; skip the bus if you have light luggage. Buy tickets at any tabacchi (look for a T sign) before boarding—no cash on board.
Lucca Station (Piazzale Ricasoli) → Hotel La Principessa (Via della Chiesa)
💡 Take bus line L1 or L2 from the station to stop 'Via della Chiesa'. Walk 3 mins to hotel. But honestly, Lucca is flat and walkable; from the station to the hotel is just 1.2 km, so skip the bus unless you're hauling heavy luggage.
Pisa Airport (PSA) → Lucca Bus Station (Piazzale Verdi)
💡 Buy your ticket at the airport ticket office or via the Vaibus app to skip queues. Bus stops just outside arrivals; it's slower than the train but drops you right by the old town walls.
Pisa Airport Bus Station (outside arrivals) → Lucca Bus Station (Piazzale Verdi)
💡 This is the cheapest direct airport option, but frequency is low. Check the timetable at vaibus.com in advance—miss one and you wait two hours. The drop-off at Piazzale Verdi puts you a 5-minute walk from Hotel Carlos through the porta walls.
Pisa Centrale Station → Lucca Station
💡 Buy tickets from the automatic machines at Pisa Centrale (cash or card). Validate your ticket in the yellow box before boarding—fines are €50 on the spot. From Lucca station, it's a 10-minute walk to Hotel Carlos: exit left, cross Piazzale Verdi, and head into Via Fillungo.
Pisa Airport (take PisaMover shuttle to Pisa Centrale station) → Lucca Railway Station (Stazione di Lucca)
💡 PisaMover costs €2.70 and runs every 5 minutes. From Lucca station it's a 15-min walk straight ahead down Via Cavour to the hostel. Cheapest option if you're not in a rush.
Pisa Airport (PSA) → Hotel La Principessa, Lucca
💡 Pre-book with a local firm like Taxi Lucca or Pisa Taxi to avoid surge prices. The hotel can arrange this for you too.
Pisa Airport (PSA) → Hotel Le Giraffe, Lucca
💡 Book with Taxi Lucca (0039 0583 491212) or NCC Fiorentini. They track flights and cost less than hailing at the airport. The hotel's small courtyard drop-off saves walking with bags.
Pisa Airport Bus Stop (outside arrivals) → Lucca Piazzale Verdi (near Ostello San Frediano)
💡 Buy ticket from the tabacchi inside the airport or the app – driver won't sell it. Get off at Verdi, then it's a 5-min walk to the hostel via Via Fillungo.
Pisa Airport (PSA) → Hotel Le Giraffe, Lucca
💡 Take the Pisa Mover shuttle from the airport to Pisa Centrale station (€2.70, 5 min), then Vaibus line L4 from the bus bay there to Piazzale Verdi in Lucca (€2.80, 50 min). Walk 100m to the hotel. Avoid the local trains—they’re slower and more expensive.
Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei, PSA) → Ostello San Frediano, Lucca
💡 Fixed rate of €50 to Lucca city centre – confirm with driver before setting off. No extra charge for luggage.
About Lucca
Wikipedia ↗
Lucca ( LOO-kə, Italian: [ˈlukka] ) is a city and comune in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the Serchio River, in a fertile plain. The city has a population of about 89,000, while its province has a population of 383,957. Lucca is known as an Italian "Città d'arte" (City of Art) from its almost intact R...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Butterfly?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the internal courtyard. These rooms are quieter and avoid street-level noise while benefiting from a bit more light and air in Lucca’s historic centre.
Which rooms should I avoid at Butterfly?
Steer clear of the ground floor (it can pick up street noise and has less privacy) and any room directly above the lift shaft—noise from the machinery can be noticeable in a 3-star building without heavy insulation.
Is Butterfly noisy?
Lucca’s historic centre is pedestrianised but lively: expect church bells from nearby basilicas, occasional street musicians, and early-morning delivery trucks on service streets. The hotel’s location within the walls means sound bounces off the stone buildings—choose a courtyard room for relief.
Which rooms have the best views at Butterfly?
Ask for a higher floor (2nd or 3rd) facing the piazza or a quiet alley—this gives a glimpse of Lucca’s terracotta rooflines or a slice of the city walls, depending on orientation. Avoid views directly onto a main road (likely Via Fillungo or similar) if available.
What are insider tips for staying at Butterfly?
1. Parking is outside the walls—use the underground parcheggio near Porta Elisa (about 5 minutes walk) and take the lift up to street level; the hotel may offer a discount ticket if you ask at reception. 2. Breakfast is often served in a small courtyard or ground-floor room; request a terrace-facing table if available—it’s worth the 5-minute wait to avoid the cramped indoor setup.
What time is check-in at Butterfly?
Check-in at Butterfly is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Butterfly have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed about 15 Mbps download, sufficient for streaming. Login via room number and surname provided at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Butterfly?
€2.00 per person per night (max 5 nights, children under 12 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Butterfly?
Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) or a panino from a forno/rosticceria: €4–6 with a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Butterfly?
The historical centre is walkable; for longer trips use the LAM bus (€1.50 single, €3.50 day pass). From Lucca train station to Florence/Pisa: €8–12 one way. The budget way from the airport (Florence or Pisa): direct train from Pisa airport to Lucca (€9.30, 80 min).
When is the best time to visit Lucca?
September and June offer warm, settled weather with fewer crowds than July and August; May is also excellent for blooming gardens on the walls.
Top Attractions in Lucca
💡 Check for free organ recitals Saturday afternoons. The Pisan-style exterior is best seen in morning light.
💡 Avoid the overpriced cafés in the square. Instead, grab a panino from Alimentari Puccini one street away and eat it on the steps near the southern edge.
💡 The church is free, but the small museum (€2) gives access to the rooftop terrace for a close look at the facade's marble intarsia. Visit early to avoid tour groups.
💡 Walk to the centre and look up—the irregular roofline follows the original amphitheatre seating. Free to enter, but no seating inside; grab a coffee at Caffè di Simo for a view.
💡 The free section covers the main church. Pay €3 for the treasury and sacristy to see the gorgeous wooden choir stalls and 14th-century frescoes.
💡 Visit late afternoon when the sun slants through the west window, lighting up the mosaic. Free entry, but check for occasional concerts (€5–€10) in the crypt.
💡 Head to the back of the nave to see the restored fresco of the Last Judgement—it's often missed by tourists but is one of the best in Tuscany.
💡 Free entry on the first Sunday of the month. Otherwise, it's €4, but if you're on a budget, the free public park on the walls (Parco delle Mura) is just as green and costs nothing.