The long summer sunsets are always full of surprises. The warm colours, the thousands of shades of orange that blend with palettes of intense blues and draw the unmistakable silhouette of the city roofs, the leaves against the sun, the sea horizon, the mountain ridges.

Although the spectacle is repeated every evening, it is never the same and always gives serenity and wonder. If you are in a detox phase, resist the selfie effect, don't miss a minute and enjoy the sunsets. The memory will always be with you to relax you in the most tiring moments, or at least... to tickle the desire to return!

Here are four unmissable sunsets in the historic centre or a few kilometres from the walls of Lucca.

 

Guinigi Tower

the trick is to book the last round of the visit and the show is included in the ticket. From the top of the tower, the sun sets behind the hills, between Monte Pisano and the hills that separate the Plain of Lucca from Versilia.

 

 

A clear sky will have a strong chiaroscuro effect emphasising the skyline of the various monuments and reliefs.
A cloudy sky of cumulus and cirrus clouds (more frequent in this season) will draw fantastic creatures in the sky playing with the city monuments in infinite landscapes.

Via Sant'Andrea, at the foot of the Guinigi tower and parallel to the route of the Roman city's decumanus maximus, is invaded by the sun that stands out on the red tiles of the roofs.
From here you can clearly distinguish the regular fabric of the Roman city, the more convoluted fabric of the medieval city, the ring of canopies that surrounds it and corresponds to the path of the Renaissance town walls.

 

The hills of Lucca in summer are a perfect landscape in which to relax and 'switch off'.

Sunny and a little tired, they recover in the evening when the air becomes cooler and we can finally enjoy an aperitif with a view of the sunset.
The northern and western slopes are favoured for "sunset hunting", reflecting the light of the sun as it dips into the sea not far away and fresh scents of aromatic herbs emerge from the earth.

 

 

Along the Strada dell'olio e del vino, after an afternoon of walking among the vineyards and olive groves, a visit to one of the many wineries where you can perhaps taste some local products.
An excursion to the villas of Lucca, to visit the gardens and monumental parks with statues, fountains, vegetable theatres and shady avenues, a walk in the cool along paths through oak and locust woods, a bike ride along the roads along the hillside, in search of history and territory, among villages and farms, is a way to discover and enjoy the area at its best, stopping for a tasting of wine or other products of the countryside directly in the farms or on the panoramic terrace of the village of Montecarlo.

A good glass of white wine from Montecarlo or a red from the hills of Lucca is the ideal way to end the day on a high and scented note.

 

in Versilia

Indeed, it was the "tramonti strepitosi" (amazing sunsets) that attracted one of its most illustrious citizens, Giacomo Puccini, and the whole group of artists here in the early 1900s.

The fine sand is still warm in the evening and the spectacle of the sun plunging into the sea, whether from the Molo di Viareggio in the company of a few fishermen and the outlines of the flagpoles of the luxury yachts anchored at the dock of the Darsena nuova, or from one of the piers that stretch out into the sea and follow one another along the Versilia promenade, accompanied by the screeching of the seagulls, will not disappoint you.

 

 

Versilia needs no introduction, with its long, sandy beaches where you can sunbathe or take a sailing or kite-surfing lesson, the Migliarino nature park and Lake Massaciuccoli with its splendid, scented pinewoods where you can take walks or regenerating rides among the pines, the stories of sailors, caulkers and divers to be discovered at the Museo del Mare in Viareggio, the Art Nouveau villas of the artists who lived here in the early 1900s with their beautiful ceramic decorations and exotic plant gardens.

Villa Paolina, Villa Argentina and, not far away, villa Puccini are excellent examples of the relaxed and magnificent life that the artists gave themselves, leaving in return works of art that are still admired and performed in theatres around the world.

For a sunset stroll you can choose the pier in Viareggio, enjoying a hot plate of mixed fried fish from the fishermen's "barchina", or the pier in Lido di Camaiore, with the inevitable ice cream, or even the modern and elegant pier in Forte dei Marmi, with your Spritz.

 

in Garfagnana, the sun shines on the Apuan Alps, drawing their profile.

Yes, we've cheated a little, but even if it's not at Km0, Garfagnana is just around the corner and a sunset hike is a truly unique experience. In this splendid mountain valley between the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Apuan Alps, crossed by the Serchio river, there are many places where you can enjoy fantastic sunsets.
A day's excursion is well worth it and the evening spectacle is guaranteed.

 

 

From the terrace of Barga's cathedral, you can admire the sun going down over the hills of the Panie group, with Monte Forato in the centre. In August, when the sun goes down, you can linger for a few evenings of jazz at the famous festival. There is no shortage of attractions in this refined mountain village: the Duomo first and foremost, the old town centre of steep, intricate streets, but also the new Barga, with its Art Nouveau villas that often host exhibitions and cultural events.

From San Pellegrino in Alpe, a soft tramway on the Apennines with a view of the Apuan Alps (photo). We are on the border between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, and here at the pass the historic Matildica del Volto Santo and the Apennine path 00 cross. During the day, you can meet the shepherds with their flocks of Garfagnana white sheep that graze in these open places, in perfect harmony with a fantastic and generous nature and perhaps take the opportunity to take home some good sheep's cheese.

From the medieval fortress of Verrucole, you can enjoy an all-round view of the Apuan Alps, the Apennines and the Pania di Corfino, which turns pink at sunset.
During the day the fortress is open to the public and the visit is a journey back to the time when it was used for the defence of the valley. The "castellans", in strict medieval dress, offer guided tours, workshops and cuisine from another era.