A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Cinque Terre vs. Lucca for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Cinque Terre or Lucca?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cinque Terre or Lucca, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a idyllic, quaint, and seaside coastal region. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and food.

Lucca

Lucca is a charming, quaint, and popular city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Cinque Terre and Lucca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cinque Terre or Lucca?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cinque Terre. Although Cinque Terre and Lucca are popular destinations, Cinque Terre has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cinque Terre is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Lucca attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Cinque Terre is more touristy than Lucca and is popular for its charming villages, beautiful vineyards, picturesque waterfront setting, and stunning walking trail. It is also well known for Vernazza Harbor. Lucca is famous for its ancient city walls and its many historic buildings.

Vernazza Harbor

How is Cinque Terre different from Lucca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lucca and Cinque Terre. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cinque Terre or Lucca?

Lucca is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Cinque Terre does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Lucca can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many interesting historic sights and buildings around this charming town. You can climb to the top of the Guinigi Tower or visit the Roman Amphitheater. Many visitors enjoy walking or biking around the city walls as well. Also make sure you visit the cathedral.

Cinque Terre does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cinque Terre or Lucca? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cinque Terre is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Lucca is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Cinque Terre have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Like much of Italy, the area focuses on local flavors that include lots of seafood, as well as local fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The towns are known for their focaccia, which actually originated in nearby Genoa. Anchovies are a favorite here as well, and don't be turned off by your experience with anchovies outside of Italy. They don't compare. Also make sure you sample the pesto, mussels, and any fresh caught seafood.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Lucca. There are many great Tuscan restaurants inside the city walls. Perhaps the most popular local dish is tordelli Lucchesi. Its a meat filled pasta that has a beef ragu sauce. There are also other Tuscan recipes that include steak, boar, or rabbit.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Nightlife?

Lucca is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Lucca. The nightlife scene is most lively during the spring and summer months when tourists crowd into the city. For the highest concentration of bars, clubs, and lounges, head to Piazza Amfiteatro, Piazza San Michele and Via Fillungo.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Cinque Terre. The whole point of a trip to the area is to soak up the quiet village atmosphere. There is basically no nightlife in most of the towns, but you will find a few bars in Monterosso.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Resorts?

Cinque Terre is not so good for its resorts. However, Lucca is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Cinque Terre offers a few options. Most people stay in apartments or rooms in local hotels or family homes. There aren't many resorts in the traditional sense, but again, that's part of the charm of the area.

Lucca is not a resort destination.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cinque Terre is a coastal region with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Lucca is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Cinque Terre. The surrounding waters are part of the of the Pelagos Sanctuary. The area has many rocky coves which are fun to explore with a mask and snorkel. There are also boat excursions available that may let you stop to snorkel, as well as a few dive spots in the area.

Lucca is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Beaches?

Cinque Terre is a coastal region with good options for the beach. However, Lucca is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cinque Terre. The area is more about the towns than the beaches. The most typical beach setting is in the newer part of Monterosso. There's a long sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas available. There's also a beach near the town's old town. Several of the other towns have swimming areas, including a small stretch of pebbly sand in Vernazza. It's fun to swim between the months of May and October, when the water temperatures are fairly warm.

Lucca is not a beach destination.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for its Old Town?

Cinque Terre and Lucca both have first-rate historical old towns that attract visitors.

The old town of Cinque Terre is one of the most recognized in the world. Each of the five towns have their own charming old town which have restaurants and local boutique shops.

Lucca offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The historic city is surrounded by city walls, which you can walk around. Within the walls there are cobblestone streets and a charming atmosphere.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Hiking?

Cinque Terre is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Lucca is not a hiking destination.

Around Cinque Terre visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The five towns are part of Cinque Terre National Park and there are 120 kilometers of hiking trails in the park. Most people hike along the trails that follow the coastline and connect the towns. There are fees for the most popular stretch of trails which connect Monterosso to Vernazza and then go from Vernazza to Corniglia. All other hiking is free in the area.

Lucca is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cinque Terre or Lucca?

Lucca is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for shopping.

Lucca has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is filled with a mix of tourist shops and more authentic local vendors. If you look hard, you can still find some interesting local items that make for a more unique and personal shopping experience.

Cinque Terre is a good destination for shopping. The towns are more about the atmosphere than the shops, but the best shopping can be found in the largest town of Monterosso. You'll find jewelry, clothing, and local food items that are fun to take home as souvenirs.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Families?

Cinque Terre and Lucca are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Cinque Terre is a family-friendly coastal region. The five towns are all about exploring on foot, so if that's your kid's thing, then they're in for a treat. The hilly terrain can be a bit tricky, particularly for the little ones, but for older kids this area offers the perfect amount of challenge. There are also a couple of beaches and swimming spots as well as a playground or two around. Food, like most of Italy, is very kid-friendly.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Lucca. You can pass through town in a day or two, or stay longer and use it as a base for exploring Tuscany. There are playgrounds for the kids as well as some fun activities like cycling the city walls and climbing towers.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Couples?

Cinque Terre is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Lucca is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Cinque Terre is a great coastal region for couples, as it has plenty to offer. These stunning five Italian villages are perched precariously on the water's edge. They're surrounded by beautiful vineyards and connected by impressive hiking trails. This area is truly a dream honeymoon destination and it is sure to make a memorable vacation for any couple who enjoys exploring charming village.

Lucca is a great coastal region if you're traveling as a couple. It's a beautiful city with good restaurants and access to nice countryside. Couples who want to explore Tuscany can use this town as a base to take in much of the region.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cinque Terre and Lucca are both nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cinque Terre. There are a number of rooms available in the towns and there are even a couple of hostels including one in Riomaggiore and one in Corniglia. It's possible to find affordable food and accommodation, and your entertainment is simply wandering the area, which is perfect for budget travelers.

Lucca is a good coastal region to visit for backpackers. While there aren't many traditional hostels around town, guesthouses are usually affordable.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cinque Terre is a coastal region with good options for its public transit. However, Lucca is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Cinque Terre, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Most people arrive by train but there are also ferries available.

Public transit is quite limited in Lucca. There's no public transit within the city so if you can't walk somewhere, you'll want to take a taxi. In general, walking is the best option though.

Is Cinque Terre or Lucca a more walkable city?

Cinque Terre is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucca is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Cinque Terre on foot is easy. Vehicle traffic in the towns are heavily restricted so it's very enjoyable to explore on foot. The terrain is hilly and uneven, but that's part of the charm. There are also hiking trails that connect each of the five towns.

Lucca is very walkable. Much of the city can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting? and Is Lucca Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lucca or Cinque Terre?

How long in Cinque Terre or Lucca?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cinque Terre or Lucca to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cinque Terre than Lucca because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cinque Terre, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lucca.

Families should spend more time in Cinque Terre than Lucca. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cinque Terre, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cinque Terre than Lucca. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cinque Terre that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cinque Terre than Lucca if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cinque Terre.

One day in Cinque Terre or Lucca?

Even though Cinque Terre is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This coastal region offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Lucca, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this popular city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Cinque Terre or Lucca?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cinque Terre. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lucca is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cinque Terre or Lucca?

Cinque Terre is a fun place to experience. Cinque Terre is a small town with plenty to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Lucca. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Cinque Terre or Lucca?

Cinque Terre is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lucca is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cinque Terre and Lucca, we can see that Cinque Terre is more expensive. And not only is Lucca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lucca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lucca and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cinque Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cinque Terre than you might in Lucca.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cinque Terre Expensive? and Is Lucca Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cinque Terre or Lucca?

Lucca has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Cinque Terre and Lucca, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.