A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Strasbourg vs. Lucca for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg and Lucca can help you decide which place is right for you.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a historic, charming, and picturesque city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Strasbourg and Lucca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Strasbourg or Lucca?

You'll generally find more things to do in Strasbourg than Lucca. Strasbourg is bigger than Lucca, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Strasbourg is well known for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses. Also, Strasbourg is famous for The Strasbourg Cathedral. Lucca is well known for its ancient city walls and its many historic buildings.

How is Strasbourg different from Lucca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Strasbourg or Lucca?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Strasbourg or Lucca.

Many visitors head to Strasbourg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. It is filled with grand monuments and historic landmarks. Many are concentrated in La Petite France and highlights include Strasbourg Cathedral, Barrage Vauban, Ponts Couverts, and Église Saint-Thomas.

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.

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

Foodies will find both Strasbourg and Lucca both to be superb destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Strasbourg. The cuisine combines French and German flavors for rich and hearty flavors. Popular dishes include Tarte Flambée, Alsatian Sausages, and Baeckeoffe (meat and vegetable stew). Also make sure you sample the Sauerkraut, munster cheese, and Reisling wine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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 Strasbourg or Lucca Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Strasbourg and Lucca.

If you're looking for night time activities Strasbourg has a few options to choose from. It's most famous for its monuments and charm, but the city also has plenty to do at night. The liveliest areas are The Krutenau (for students and tourists alike), The Grande-île, and La Petite France.

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 Strasbourg or Lucca Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg and Lucca are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

The historic old town of Strasbourg is revered around the world. Known as La Petite France, the old town is filled with charming squares, historic monuments, and beautiful architecture.

With a famous historical old-town, Lucca offers plenty to see. 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 the Shopping Better in Strasbourg or Lucca?

Strasbourg is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Lucca is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Strasbourg. The city center is filled with pedestrian shopping streets and boutique stores. For some of the best shopping make sure you check out the main thoroughfare of Grand'Rue. If you want to pick up some trinkets or souvenirs, head to Place de la Cathédrale, and for department store shopping head to Galeries Lafayette Strasbourg.

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.

Is Strasbourg or Lucca Better for Families?

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

Strasbourg offers lots of family activities. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to Zoo de l’Orangerie or La Montagne des Singes. If the kids need to stretch their legs you can head to Deux-Rives Garden or on a rainy day check out Planetarium De Strasbourg or the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg.

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 Strasbourg or Lucca Better for Couples?

Both Strasbourg and Lucca are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Strasbourg is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the region and it is filled with romance. There is beautiful architecture, romantic restaurants, wine tours, and flower filled parks. The scenic squares and grand cathedrals offer a truly perfect couples getaway.

Lucca is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Strasbourg or Lucca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Strasbourg is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city has a handful of hostels that offer affordable accommodation for those on a shoestring budget.

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

Is Strasbourg or Lucca Better for Students?

Strasbourg is a city with good options for students. However, Lucca is not popular with students.

Strasbourg is popular with students. Students appreciate the mix of traditional culture and international opportunities.

Lucca is not popular with students.

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

Strasbourg is well known for its public transit. However, Lucca is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Strasbourg. The city has six tramlines and a number of bus routes.

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 Strasbourg or Lucca a more walkable city?

Strasbourg and Lucca are superb when it comes to walkability.

Strasbourg is very walkable. One of the best ways to explore the city is on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lucca or Strasbourg?

How long in Strasbourg or Lucca?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg.

One day in Strasbourg or Lucca?

In Strasbourg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city 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.

With museums and nightlife around the quaint city of Lucca, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lucca, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Strasbourg or Lucca?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Strasbourg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Lucca, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Strasbourg or Lucca?

Strasbourg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Strasbourg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lucca, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Strasbourg or Lucca?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Strasbourg. 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 that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Strasbourg and Lucca, we can see that Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg Expensive? and Is Lucca Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Strasbourg or Lucca?

Strasbourg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lucca. When comparing the sizes of Strasbourg 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.