Lucca to Pisa Bike Tour: Self-Guided River Route & Leaning Tower

Summary

Cycle from Lucca’s ancient walls to Pisa’s iconic tower on quiet paths

You’ll pedal from Lucca’s ancient walls along riverside paths and country lanes toward Pisa’s Leaning Tower, pausing in San Giuliano Terme for local snacks or coffee. With self-guided directions on your phone and everything included—bike rental, repair kit, lock—you’ll have freedom to go at your own pace and soak up Tuscany’s small surprises.

What’s the experience like?

It started with a laugh — the guy at the Lucca bike shop tried to show me how to use the cell-phone holder, but I fumbled it twice before he just did it for me. “Don’t worry, everyone does that,” he grinned, handing over a map and tapping the route on my phone. The old city walls behind us felt almost too grand for such a casual send-off, but honestly, I was more focused on not wobbling into traffic as I set off. The air already smelled like warm bread from somewhere nearby, and there were a couple of older locals chatting by the riverbank, waving as I passed.

The first stretch out of Lucca is easy — flat and mostly quiet, with just enough shade from poplars along the Serchio River. There’s this moment where you can hear nothing but your own tires crunching over gravel and some birds yelling at each other overhead. I kept thinking I’d get bored riding alone, but actually it felt kind of peaceful. About an hour in, after winding through little patches of farmland (and one field that definitely smelled like cows), San Giuliano Terme popped up out of nowhere. It’s not big — just a handful of shops and a bar where I stopped for a cold drink and tried to order in Italian. The woman behind the counter smiled politely at my accent and handed me a pastry that was still warm; honestly, that hit harder than expected.

The last bit into Pisa gets busier — you have to ride on normal roads for maybe 2 km, which made me a little nervous (drivers here are fast). But then suddenly you’re rolling right into Piazza dei Miracoli and there’s the Leaning Tower just standing there like it’s waiting for you. Everyone around was taking photos or lying in the grass; I didn’t even bother trying to get the classic “holding up the tower” shot because my hands were shaking from the ride (or maybe excitement?).

I took my time wandering around before heading to the train station — turns out you can just wheel your bike onto certain wagons for an easy 25-minute ride back to Lucca. Some people biked all the way back too (apparently it’s faster if you skip some curves), but honestly? Sitting by the window watching fields roll by felt perfect after those 33 km. Still thinking about that pastry from San Giuliano Terme though… might need to do this again just for that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bike tour from Lucca to Pisa

• Rent bike in Lucca
• Explore Lucca's historic center
• Cycle along river park path
• Stop at San Giuliano Terme village
• Visit Pisa Leaning Tower
• Return to Lucca by train or bike

Top questions

How long is the bike ride from Lucca to Pisa?

The route is about 33 km one way from Lucca to Pisa.

Is this self-guided bike tour suitable for beginners?

The tour is intermediate level but mostly flat; suitable for most people with basic fitness.

Are e-bikes available on this route?

Yes, e-bikes are available for riders over 155cm tall and over 14 years old.

Can I return from Pisa to Lucca by train with my bike?

Yes, bikes can be loaded onto special wagons for an easy 25-minute train ride back.

Where can I stop for food or drinks along the way?

The main village with bars and shops is San Giuliano Terme, about 20km into the ride.

Is pickup included in this tour?

No hotel pickup; you start at the bike shop in Lucca where you receive your equipment and briefing.

What is included with my bike rental?

You get a bike (e-bike or trekking), cell-phone holder, itinerary app or map, repair kit, lock, and starter briefing.

Is there much traffic on this route?

The route uses cycle paths and country roads; only about 2 km near San Giuliano Terme are on normal roads with cars.

What’s included

Your day starts at a central Lucca shop where you’ll get your chosen bike (e-bike or trekking), cell-phone holder set up with an itinerary app or printed map, plus a repair kit and lock. There’s a short briefing before you head out solo along riverside paths toward Pisa—with total freedom to pause in villages or take photos whenever you want.