A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Le Mans vs. Lucca for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Le Mans or Lucca?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Le Mans and Lucca can help you decide which place is right for you.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a quaint, small, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include nightlife and museums.

Lucca

Lucca is a popular, historic, and charming city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Le Mans and Lucca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Le Mans or Lucca?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucca than Le Mans. While Le Mans is larger than Lucca, Lucca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucca is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans is more popular for its small town charm. Lucca is more touristy than Le Mans and is popular for its ancient city walls and its many historic buildings. Also, Lucca is famous for The Guinigi Tower. Le Mans is well known for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Le Mans different from Lucca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Le Mans or Lucca?

Lucca is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Lucca specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

Is the Food Better in Le Mans or Lucca? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lucca is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Le Mans or Lucca Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Le Mans and Lucca.

If you're looking for night time activities Le Mans has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Is Le Mans or Lucca Better for its Old Town?

Lucca is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Lucca is revered around the world. The historic city is surrounded by city walls, which you can walk around. Within the walls there are cobblestone streets and a charming atmosphere.

Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Le Mans or Lucca?

Lucca is very good for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Lucca. 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Le Mans or Lucca Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Le Mans or Lucca.

Le Mans offers lots of family activities. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Lucca is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Le Mans or Lucca Better for Couples?

Lucca is great for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Lucca is a great city 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Le Mans or Lucca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Le Mans and Lucca are notable places to visit.

Le Mans is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

It's common for backpackers to visit Lucca. While there aren't many traditional hostels around town, guesthouses are usually affordable.

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

Le Mans is a town 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 Le Mans, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

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 Le Mans or Lucca a more walkable city?

Lucca is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.

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

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Le Mans Worth Visiting? and Is Lucca Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lucca or Le Mans?

How long in Le Mans or Lucca?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Le Mans or Lucca to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Le Mans than Lucca because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Le Mans, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lucca.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lucca than Le Mans 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 Lucca.

One day in Le Mans or Lucca?

In Le Mans, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this small destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Lucca, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Le Mans or Lucca?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Le Mans. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

In Lucca, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lucca has to offer.

Five days in Le Mans or Lucca?

Le Mans is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the destination of Le Mans. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lucca is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Le Mans or Lucca?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the small destination of Le Mans. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucca. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lucca. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Le Mans and Lucca, we can see that Lucca is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans 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 Lucca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucca than you might in Le Mans.

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

Which is Bigger, Le Mans or Lucca?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Lucca. When comparing the sizes of Le Mans 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.