🇮🇹 Lucca, Italy
Hotel Le Giraffe
📍 Via San Giovanni Bosco, 21, 55045 Marina di Pietrasanta LU, Italy
Photo: official website
Your stay — Hotel Le Giraffe
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Lucca.
The Property — Hotel Le Giraffe
Hotel Le Giraffe feels like a calm, family-run retreat tucked inside Lucca’s Renaissance walls. The lobby is modest but welcoming, with terracotta floors, a small bar, and staff who remember your name. It’s a functional base rather than a design statement – clean rooms, good breakfasts, and a quiet garden. Best for couples or solo travellers who spend their days exploring on foot and want solid value, not frills.
Chronicles of Lucca
Lucca was founded by the Etruscans and became a Roman colony in 180 BC, its grid still visible in today’s street plan. In the Middle Ages it thrived as a silk-trading republic, rivaling Florence, and its 16th-century ramparts – now a tree-lined park – were never breached. The later Renaissance brought wealthy merchants who built the oval Piazza dell’Anfiteatro on the site of a Roman amphitheatre. Today Lucca is known for its intact walls, quiet piazzas, and a musical soul that hosts the annual Lucca Summer Festival.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lucca guide →Best months
May, June, September – warm days (22-28°C), low humidity, and fewer crowds than July/August. Lucca’s walls are perfect for cycling in these months.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, driven by the Lucca Summer Festival (June-July) and general European holiday traffic. Hotel prices rise 40-60% above shoulder rates. Book months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer mild weather (15-20°C) and significant discounts – often 30% less on rooms. The town is quieter, with locals reclaiming the streets.
Weather & packing
June in Lucca can swing from 18°C mornings to 33°C afternoons. Pack layers: a light jacket for the evening wall walk, plus a sun hat and reusable water bottle for daytime heat.
Live City Briefing — Lucca
- The Lucca Summer Festival runs June-July 2026, with major outdoor concerts at Piazza Napoleone; expect road closures and amplified noise near the venue.
- Lucca’s bike-sharing scheme (Ciclostazione) has expanded to 300 e-bikes in 2026 – cheaper than renting from private shops for short rides.
- The city’s main parking lot, Parcheggio Camalda, is now fully automated with app payment; no cash accepted from June 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Le Giraffe, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top (third) floor, facing the inner courtyard (ask for a 'cortile' view). The lift stops here, and you'll be furthest from street noise on Via Nazionale, which can be busy with traffic and scooters from early morning.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor overlooking the street (Via Nazionale). Noise from traffic and the front entrance will be most noticeable here. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft – the lift is small but audible when in use.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the hotel overlook a quiet inner courtyard. If your room faces the street, you'll see the busy Via Nazionale – not scenic, but you get Lucca's city atmosphere. No panoramic views from this 3‑star property.
Quietest floors
Third floor is the quietest. Second floor is acceptable, but third floor avoids any noise from the breakfast room preparation (which starts before 7am) and foot traffic on the stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Via Nazionale is a main thoroughfare – expect scooter and motor traffic noise from about 7am to 8pm. The small lift's motor can be heard in adjacent rooms, especially when it stops. No bar or nightclub on site, but nearby restaurants may have chatter until late.
Insider tips
1. For parking, pre‑book a spot at Garage Europa (Via degli Scienziati, 4) – it's a five‑minute walk and cheaper than on‑street options. 2. Ask for a ground‑floor room if stairs are an issue, but note the entrance has two steps – no step‑free access. 3. Wi‑Fi password resets at 8am daily – write it down if you're an early riser.
- 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 — Hotel Le Giraffe
Free Wi-Fi throughout; adequate for web browsing, may stutter on video streaming during peak use; no login required but password changes daily at 08:00
Small lift serves all three guest floors; basement breakfast room reached by stairs only
No complimentary newspapers; local paper available for purchase at reception; the building is a converted 18th-century townhouse with original stone staircase
Check-in from 14:00–22:00; early bag drop allowed from 11:00; late check-out by 12:00 costs €30, subject to availability
Free storage at front desk on arrival and departure days
No step-free entrance (two steps at main door); lift fits standard wheelchair; no adapted rooms; ground-floor room available by request
No on-site parking; nearest public garage is Garage Europa, Via degli Scienziati, 4 (5 min walk), €20 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.50 per person per night (children under 10 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; refundable €100 incidentals hold placed on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa di Sant'Antonio da Padova (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parco La Versiliana — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Farmacia di Fiumetto — 343 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport exchange desks and tourist bureaux which typically add poor rates and fees.
Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most shops and restaurants; contactless and mobile pay are common for small amounts. Some markets and smaller places prefer cash.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated: round up the bill at restaurants (5–10% for great service), leave a few euros for taxis, and €1–2 per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standalone espresso at a bar costs around €1–1.20; sitting at a table doubles the price.
A panino or slice of pizza from a bakery or al taglio shop, around €4–6 with a drink.
A pasta or pizza main in a trattoria or pizzeria, about €10–14; expect to pay €18–25 for a full meal with a drink.
Look for bakeries and takeaway pizzerias along Via Fillungo and the streets around Piazza dell'Anfiteatro for cheap, quick snacks.
Supermarkets include Conad, Coop and Pam; they have good-value deli counters, bread and wine.
Affordable chain stores like OVS, Terranova and H&M can be found on Via Fillungo and the pedestrian streets off Piazza Napoleone.
The cheapest way around the historic centre is walking – it's compact and car-free. For the wider area, a single bus ticket costs €1.50; from Pisa airport train to Lucca (€8, 30 min) is far cheaper than a taxi.
Eat and drink away from main piazzas where prices are inflated; buy a reusable water bottle and fill up at public fountains; picnicking along the city walls with groceries from a supermarket is a cheap dinner option.
Good to know — Lucca
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · 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 Hotel Le Giraffe
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia di Fiumetto — 343 m · ~4 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 Hotel Le Giraffe?
Request a room on the top (third) floor, facing the inner courtyard (ask for a 'cortile' view). The lift stops here, and you'll be furthest from street noise on Via Nazionale, which can be busy with traffic and scooters from early morning.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Le Giraffe?
Avoid rooms on the first floor overlooking the street (Via Nazionale). Noise from traffic and the front entrance will be most noticeable here. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft – the lift is small but audible when in use.
Is Hotel Le Giraffe noisy?
Via Nazionale is a main thoroughfare – expect scooter and motor traffic noise from about 7am to 8pm. The small lift's motor can be heard in adjacent rooms, especially when it stops. No bar or nightclub on site, but nearby restaurants may have chatter until late.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Le Giraffe?
Rooms at the back of the hotel overlook a quiet inner courtyard. If your room faces the street, you'll see the busy Via Nazionale – not scenic, but you get Lucca's city atmosphere. No panoramic views from this 3‑star property.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Le Giraffe?
1. For parking, pre‑book a spot at Garage Europa (Via degli Scienziati, 4) – it's a five‑minute walk and cheaper than on‑street options. 2. Ask for a ground‑floor room if stairs are an issue, but note the entrance has two steps – no step‑free access. 3. Wi‑Fi password resets at 8am daily – write it down if you're an early riser.
What time is check-in at Hotel Le Giraffe?
Check-in at Hotel Le Giraffe is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Le Giraffe have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; adequate for web browsing, may stutter on video streaming during peak use; no login required but password changes daily at 08:00
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Le Giraffe?
€2.50 per person per night (children under 10 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Le Giraffe?
A panino or slice of pizza from a bakery or al taglio shop, around €4–6 with a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Le Giraffe?
The cheapest way around the historic centre is walking – it's compact and car-free. For the wider area, a single bus ticket costs €1.50; from Pisa airport train to Lucca (€8, 30 min) is far cheaper than a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Lucca?
May, June, September – warm days (22-28°C), low humidity, and fewer crowds than July/August. Lucca’s walls are perfect for cycling in these months.
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.