Lucca, Italy - A Place in the Sun

2022 / Lucca, Italy Jean Johannson on 15 December 2022

Lucca, Italy Jean Johannson

Sports fan and rugby coach, Matt loves all things Italian and is dreaming of buying a holiday home near the historic city of Lucca in Tuscany. He’s looking for a property with two bedrooms, in a lively location, and has brought along best friend Shaun, for some straight - talking advice. For his £190,000 budget Jean Johannson has five terrific options lined up, but will any of them be right on target?

About the area

Lucca is pretty easy to get to – you can fly into Pisa in around two hours from quite a few UK airports–then it’s just half an hour or so’s drive.

Lucca, which dates back to the 3rd century BC, is a walled city, and was an independent city state until 1847 - made wealthy by underwear, as Lucca had a monopoly on the supply and production of silk for hundreds of years. It’s also the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini, who wrote the operas La Boheme and Madame Butterfly among others. The area around Lucca is dotted with dozens of traditional Tuscan towns and villages, surrounded by all the stunning scenery you’d expect from this famously beautiful part of Italy.

Property 1

Four-bed townhouse in Barga

This townhouse, which was built in the 12th century, has four floors – the first floor has a balcony with stunning views over the town and the hills beyond, a spacious living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom; on the ground floor there’s a smaller living room, two bedrooms and a WC; there’s also a lower ground floor currently used as a kitchen and utility room; and a spacious basement with two rooms and a separate entrance. View more from agent.

Valued at £223,214 at the time of filming.

Property 2

Four-bed house in Benabbio

This country house has a decent sized garden (with olive trees) and a terrace at the front and a smaller courtyard garden at the back. Inside there’s a beamed living room with a fireplace, a galley kitchen with an enclosed balcony off it which has great views, a sun room which leads into the back garden, a larger second kitchen and a WC downstairs. Upstairs there are four decent sized bedrooms, all of which are currently unfurnished, and two shower rooms. Find more from agent.

Valued at £169,643 at the time of filming.

Property 3

Two-bed townhouse in Orciatico

This property has lots of shared space including the communal pool and this courtyard garden at the front - in terms of private space there’s a balcony off the master bedroom, and a garden at the back. Inside there’s a light and modern open plan living, dining and kitchen area, the master bedroom with a balcony, a second bedroom, a family bathroom and a shower room. See more from agent.

Valued at £187,500 at the time of filming.

Property 4

Two-bed apartment in Bagni di Lucca

This apartment has a decent sized terrace out front with stunning views into the countryside, a large light filled living and dining room and a characterful kitchen with a fireplace, both downstairs, along with two good sized bedrooms and a shower room upstairs. View more from agent.

Valued at £133,929 at the time of filming.

Property 5

Four-bed townhouse in Oneta

This townhouse has loads of outside space with a paved courtyard at the front, and a patio at the back which leads onto a large garden which has stunning views into the Tuscan hills. Inside there’s an open plan living and dining area, a large light fill ed modern kitchen, four spacious bedrooms and a family shower room. The house also has two outbuildings, one of which is currently used as a gym, but could be converted into a rental property. View more from the agent.

Valued at £223,214 at the time of filming.

Hot Property

Five-bed villa in Hills North of Lucca

One of the most luxurious properties in this part of Tuscany, in the hills just outside the mediaeval city of Lucca. This stunning three floored villa has no less than 20 rooms, many of which are decorated with frescoes, a pool, and beautiful landscaped gardens. Of course, all of this comes at a price – it’s on the market for a touch over one and a half million pounds. View more.

Valued at £1,562,500 at the time of filming.