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Once a maritime power to rival Genoa and Venice, modern Pisa is best known for an architectural project gone terribly wrong. But the world-famous Leaning Tower is just one of many noteworthy sights in this compelling city. Education has fuelled the local economy since the 1400s, and students from across Italy compete for places in its elite university. This endows the centre of town with a vibrant cafe and bar scene, balancing an enviable portfolio of well-maintained Romanesque buildings, Gothic churches and Renaissance piazzas with a lively street life dominated by locals rather than tourists – a charm you will definitely not discover if you restrict your visit to Piazza dei Miracoli.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Leaning Tower

One of Italy's signature sights, the Torre Pendente truly lives up to its name, leaning a startling 3.9 degrees off the vertical. The 58m-high tower,…

Pisa's magnificent duomo was begun in 1064 and consecrated in 1118. Its striking tiered exterior, with green-and-cream marble cladding, gives onto a…

Pisa's unusual round baptistry has one dome piled on top of another, each roofed half in lead, half in tiles, and topped by a gilt bronze John the Baptist…

Mura di Pisa (Main Entrance)

For an alternative bird's-eye perspective of the Leaning Tower and grandiose Piazza dei Miracoli rooftops, take a walk atop Pisa's medieval city walls,…

Piazza dei Miracoli

Pisans claim that Campo dei Miracoli is among the world's most beautiful urban spaces. Its walled lawns provide a photogenic setting for the candy-striped…

Soil shipped from Calvary during the Crusades is said to lie within the white walls of this hauntingly beautiful resting place for many prominent Pisans,…

Museo delle Sinopie

Home to some fascinating frescoes, this museum safeguards several sinopie (preliminary sketches), drawn by the artists in red earth pigment on the walls…

Museo Nazionale di San Matteo

This inspiring repository of medieval masterpieces sits in a 13th-century Benedictine convent on the Arno's northern waterfront boulevard. The museum's…

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Latest stories from Pisa

May 21, 2018 • 2 min read

One of the great mysteries of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is how it could have survived through major earthquakes.

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Pisa: City of the Leaning Tower and More

The Leaning Tower has made Pisa famous all over the world, and in addition to the tower, the city offers many other interesting things to see worth at least an entire day - check out our 1 day in Pisa itinerary to plan your visit. When you first arrive at the beautiful Square of Miracles ( Piazza dei Miracoli ), your sight will be captivated by the magnificent Tower . Don’t just admire it from below: the climb up the tower is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we highly encourage you to experience. You will enjoy both the incredible climb as well as the amazing views from the top (you can buy tickets in advance as number of entries are limited every half hour)!

Once you have admired the Tower of Pisa from all angles (including the classic picture in which you pretend to support it to keep as a memento), continue your visit to the other monuments in the Piazza: the Cathedral and the Baptistery . Along the perimeter of the square, there is also the Cemetery , the Cathedral Museum and the Museum of the Synopses. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Arno river and on your way, pass by Clock Palace to enter into Piazza dei Cavalieri , which was once the heart of power in the city and later the headquarters of the Knights of St. Stephen . In the Palazzo della Carovana overlooking the square, the prestigious Scuola Normale of Pisa has its base.

What else to do in Pisa? Eat cecina ! It’s a kind of very thin gluten-free bread made with chickpea flour, water, oil, salt and black pepper. You can eat the cecina alone or in a schiacciatina, a flat bread. A real treat you must try!

Annual events

Every June , Pisa celebrates the city’s patron saint, San Ranieri, with traditional events following one another during the Giugno Pisano . If you are in Pisa at this time of the year, we suggest you spend some time in Pisa and enjoy the Luminara , the Regatta of San Ranieri and the Battle of the Bridge .

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An itinerary for an entire day in Pisa

An itinerary to discover Pisa and its marvellous artistic attractions: visit the Square of Miracles with its Leaning Tower and take a walk along the famous Lungarni, rich in shops and restaurants where you may taste typical local recipes. This visit to the enchanting marittime Republic will take you back in time and make you breathe a timeless atmosphere!

Buy Tickets for the Leaning Tower

Visit the Leaning Tower in Pisa: do not miss the chance to discover the secrets of one of the most famous monuments in the world. Buy tickets online and skip the line ! Just note that kids under 8 cannot climb the tower.

Book your Hotel in Pisa with the Best Prices

With Booking.com you can compare all Pisa hotels, check availability and read travellers' opinions to choose the perfect accommodation for your vacation. Reserve your stay in the city of the Leaning Tower at the best Internet rate!

The Square of Miracles in Pisa

You must absolutely visit the beautiful Square of Miracles in Pisa. Here is where you will find Pisa's best and most enchanting treasures: the Cathedral or Duomo, emblem of Pisan Romanesque architecture and its bell tower, known worldwide as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You'll also find the baptistery, the cemetery (Camposanto) and other museums. While the exteriors are enchanting, make sure to also visit inside!

Top Experiences in Tuscany

The Certosa di Calci in Pisa: A Monastery with Whales!

With one stop you can take in the fabulous architectural structure of the Certosa di Calci and have a peek at the the incredible curious collection that makes this one of the world's foremost scientific museum

The most fascinating miracle of all, the Leaning Tower

While in Pisa, you have to visit the Leaning Tower! It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to climb up a leaning building, challenging your own sense of balance. The climb is a lot of steps, but the experience and view are both worth it.

Where to Park in Pisa

If you're driving to Pisa, here is some useful information on free and paid parking lots, with details on how they work, so that you can concentrate on visiting this charming town beyond the Leaning Tower and stay for more than just an hour.

June, a month of festivities in Pisa

Are you planning to visit Pisa in June? This is one of the best months to visit the city of the Leaning Tower as it will be hosting many traditional events along the Arno river, from the Luminara to the Regatta of San Ranieri to the Battle of the Bridge.

The Luminara in Pisa

The Luminara in Pisa is a special event - the city and river glows in the light of thousands of candles lit outside of palaces, churches, towers and bridges along the Arno on the eve of the feast day of San Ranieri, Pisa's patron saint.

Flying into Tuscany: Pisa and Florence

Information on Tuscany's two main airports, the Galileo airport in Pisa and the Peretola/Vespucci airport in Florence, and tips on how to move to other parts of Tuscany from there.

The Battle of the Bridge in Pisa

A historical game that is held annualy in Pisa on the last Saturday of June between the various neighborhoods in town. A great time to see a special traditional event which takes place in historical costume as well as visit the city of the Leaning Tower.

Regatta of San Ranieri in Pisa

The regatta of San Ranieri is an interesting race in the Arno - the winner is not who arrives first but who manages to climb a rope and grab the right colored flag! An ancient custom in celebrating Pisa's patron saint feast day.

Volterra is usually referred to as the Etruscan city and the City of Alabaster . If you love archaeological sites, then Volterra is the right place to head to: you'll have the chance to visit one-of-a-kind remains dating back to Etruscan and Roman times, as well as many Medieval and Renaissance treasures. Stroll its narrow lanes and visit the many workshops exposing alabaster hand-made products, the main jewel on this town's crown.

San Miniato, Midway between Pisa and Florence

A small little town with a panoramic skyline, San Miniato is perfect for a stop to enjoy the vistas between Pisa and Florence, a taste of the local color, as well as shopping local products like truffles, leather and olive oil.

Day Trips & Tours from Pisa

Here are some of the best day trips & tours to add to your itinerary when Pisa is the base for your holiday vacation in Tuscany. With or without a car, we rate these as your best options to see the landscape, vineyards & adventures in Tuscany.

How to get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Tips on moving around Pisa, essentially to get to Piazza dei Miracoli and to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Perfect Way to Explore Pisa: Walking Tour with Local Guide

Don't just go to Pisa for the Leaning Tower. Take a bit of time and see the highlights in all of Pisa by joining a small group walking tour that takes you from the central train station to the Square of Miracles, learning of Pisa's history and seeing what the local experience every day. Then feel free to take your time and explore Pisa's main monuments, from its tower and cathedral to baptistery and city walls.

Our Travel Guides

Pisa Travel Guide: 16 Best Things To Do & See

More than just a leaning tower.

You’ve probably heard of a lovely Italian city called Pisa because of its world-famous leaning tower.

And while the Leaning Tower of Pisa is of course the main attraction, Pisa offers much more!

The university city has picturesque squares, awe-inspiring churches, charming streets and the Arno River, gracefully winding its way through Pisa before merging into the Ligurian Sea.

Pisa is an essential stop on any Tuscan itinerary in our humble opinion.

In this travel guide to Pisa, you will find all the best things to do and see in Pisa (in addition to the Leaning Tower) + how many days you should spend in the city, where to stay and much more.

Our favourites: Where to stay in Pisa?

• Luxury: Palazzo Cini Luxury Rooms In Pisa – Boutique hotel with a great location and nice details.
• Value for money: Relais dei Mercanti B&B and Suites – Cosy little place in the old town with excellent reviews.
• Budget: Hotel Caffè Verdi – Comfortable, simple rooms a 15-minute walk from the Leaning Tower. 24-hour reception/café.

Search for the cheapest and best hotels in Pisa here .

Table of contents

How long to stay in Pisa

The 16 best things to do and see in pisa, where to stay in pisa, how to get around pisa, how to get to pisa, when to visit pisa, our best tips for pisa, what to bring to pisa.

Pisa map and geography

Pretty Pisa is located in the region of Tuscany in central Italy.

Just under 100,000 people live here.

How many days you should spend in Pisa depends entirely on your needs and travel plans .

It’s very normal to spend a single day in the city, and we visited Pisa on a day trip from Lucca ourselves.

However, there is more to see than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, so you can easily spend a night or two if you have the time.

We imagine it must be wonderful to walk around the city early in the morning or in the afternoon when all the day-trippers are gone .

If you fly to Pisa before embarking on a longer journey around Tuscany, it’s ideal to start with a night in the city.

Later in this travel guide to Pisa, we write more about the best places to stay (including where to stay on a budget).

Day trips to Pisa

It’s really popular to go on a day trip to Pisa, for example from Lucca , Florence , Livorno , La Spezia (Cinque Terre) or even from Rome .

If you aren’t planning to stay in the city overnight, you can look at some of the day trips to Pisa from other cities below.

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Here are what we believe to be the best things to do and see in Pisa including interesting attractions, sights, landmarks and viewpoints.

• The Leaning Tower of Pisa – The main reason to visit the city
• Piazza dei Miracoli – The Square of Miracles
• Duomo di Pisa – Pisa Cathedral
• Battistero di San Giovanni – The baptistery
• Campo Santo – The Monumental Cemetery
• Walk along the Arno – The river that runs through Pisa
• Santa Maria della Spina – Church by the river
• Piazza dei Cavalieri – The Knights’ Square
• Sant’Antonio Abate – Church with a colourful mural
• Borgo Stretto – Narrow pedestrian street
• Via Corso Italia – Shopping street with lots of shops
• Botanic Garden – A green oasis
• Palazzo Blu – Museum in a blue palace
• Visit a vineyard – Taste local grapes
• Eat gelato – Enjoy real Italian ice cream
• The best day trips from Pisa

Map of the best things to do and see in Pisa .

1. The Leaning Tower of Pisa – The main reason to visit the city

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic landmark that attracts people from near and far.

The Torre di Pisa (as it is called in Italian) is undoubtedly the main sight in Pisa , and it’s also one of the major highlights of the entire Tuscany region.

And seeing its unique tilt is truly an enjoyable experience.

The free-standing bell tower is famous for its characteristic tilt which it gained due to structural issues encountered during its construction .

Now, exactly because of that tilt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has become a super popular photo spot , and most days there are a multitude of people posing in silly ways in front of the tower to get the perfect photo.

While admiring the Leaning Tower of Pisa from the outside is free of charge , ascending the tower requires purchasing a ticket – ideally well in advance as the availability is limited and the tickets are issued for specific time slots.

Purchase your ticket to ascend the tower here (adlink) and get a skip-the-line ticket to the cathedral at the same time.

You can also buy a combination ticket (adlink) if you want access to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well as the baptistery, Campo Santo, the two museums and the cathedral.

Read more about what you need to know before visiting the tower in our travel guide to the Leaning Tower of Pisa .

Tip: If you have the opportunity to arrive early or late in the day, you will encounter significantly fewer crowds.

2. Piazza dei Miracoli – The Square of Miracles

The Square of Miracles (known as Piazza dei Miracoli in Italian) is where you’ll find the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Apart from the tilting architectural wonder, there is actually much more to see at the square. Here, you can leisurely wander and capture plenty of photographs at your own pace.

The Square of Miracles holds immense historical and cultural significance for Pisa – and Italy as a whole – and its significance has led to its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List .

Below we write more about the other impressive buildings on the square.

3. Duomo di Pisa – Pisa Cathedral

Every major Italian city has a duomo (meaning cathedral) and the Pisa Cathedral is right beside the Leaning Tower of Pisa .

In fact, the tower was originally intended as a bell tower for the cathedral. However, it has since surpassed the cathedral in fame and recognition.

That doesn’t make the cathedral any less interesting, though.

The Duomo di Pisa is the oldest structure in the Square of Miracles , and you should definitely take the time to admire the beautiful Romanesque facade.

Inside the cathedral, there are paintings, sculptures and frescoes.

Entry to the cathedral is free , but you’ll need an entrance ticket. These are available at the on-site ticket offices and they are valid for a specific time slot.

If you hold tickets for the other attractions on the Square of Miracles, you’re not bound by a designated time slot and can often bypass queues .

This applies to this ticket to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the combination ticket (adlinks) .

4. Battistero di San Giovanni – The baptistery

Often overlooked, we think that the baptistry in the Square of Miracles , Battistero di San Giovanni , is an incredibly beautiful structure in its own right, despite being overshadowed by its towering neighbours.

The impressive round building is positioned in front of the cathedral and with an entrance ticket, you can explore its interior and view the baptism font in the center of the room .

From the top floor, you can also enjoy a unique vantage point overlooking the cathedral, offering a unique perspective on its magnificent facade.

Access to the Battistero di San Giovanni requires buying a ticket . It can either be purchased separately or as a combination ticket (adlink) where you get access to the other attractions on the square, too.

5. Campo Santo – The Monumental Cemetery

Campo Santo , also known as Camposanto Monumentale (which translates to the Monumental Cemetery), is an oblong building in Gothic style consisting of three chapels, sculptures and frescoes on the walls .

Although it may not be the most eye-catching attraction at The Square of Miracles, the historic cemetery is still worth stopping by.

Like the baptistery, Campo Santo requires a ticket. You can buy a separate ticket for the cemetery or a combination ticket (adlink) with access to several of the attractions on the Square of Miracles.

6. Walk along the Arno – The river that runs through Pisa

The Arno River is a long waterway that runs through the Tuscan countryside (including the city of Florence ) before eventually reaching its destination at Pisa, where it meets the sea.

The river has had a significant role in shaping Pisa’s history and culture – especially in the city’s trade and transport networks.

And it makes Pisa so much more charming!

We enjoyed a relaxing, romantic stroll along the riverbank and we highly recommend setting aside time for a similar experience.

You can also consider crossing the bridge Ponte di Mezzo for a picturesque view of the Arno.

7. Santa Maria della Spina – Church by the river

As you stroll along the Arno, make sure to stop by the Gothic church of Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina , situated along the riverbank.

Despite its modest size, the church boasts exquisite details and decorations – and the location is truly unique .

Legend has it that the church once safeguarded a thorn from Jesus’ crown of thorns … We can only guess whether it’s true or not, but the tale has drawn pilgrims to its doors over the centuries.

8. Piazza dei Cavalieri – The Knights’ Square

The Knights’ Square ( Piazza dei Cavalieri ) is a spacious square just a 10-minute stroll from the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The square is distinguished by the Palazzo dei Cavalieri (also known as the Palazzo della Carovana ).

The palace dates back to the middle of the 16th century and was originally used as the headquarters of a Roman Catholic Tuscan military order.

Today, it serves as the main building of the University of Pisa Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa .

Within Piazza dei Cavalieri, you’ll also discover the churches of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri and San Rocco next to several other impressive buildings. Don’t miss the striking statue of Cosimo I , who held the titles of Duke of Florence and later Grand Duke of Tuscany.

9. Sant’Antonio Abate – Church with a colourful mural

Near Pisa’s Central Station stands a church renowned for its distinctive rear wall .

Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate features a striking modern mural titled “Tuttomondo” adorning its wall.

This public artwork, created by American artist Keith Haring, is a rare sight within a traditional church setting which is why we found it interesting to see.

While it’s not one of the top things to do in Pisa, we still wanted to include it in our travel guide. Stop by if you find yourself with plenty of time in Pisa.

10. Borgo Stretto – Narrow pedestrian street

Located between Piazza dei Cavalieri and the Ponte di Mezzo bridge crossing the Arno River, you will find Pisa’s cosy pedestrian street , Borgo Stretto.

This narrow shopping street offers a pleasant ambience for leisurely strolls with lots of terracotta-coloured houses , quaint shops and, of course, Italian cafes where you can savour a quick espresso or indulge in other drinks and snacks.

11. Via Corso Italia – Shopping street with lots of shops

Across the Ponte di Mezzo lies the primary shopping street, perfect for a stroll if you find yourself south of the river.

Via Corsa Italia stretches all the way to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II (where you’ll find the Sant’Antonio Abate church with the mural), thus connecting the Central Station with the historic city centre.

Along the shopping street, you’ll discover souvenir shops , upscale design boutiques and prominent retailers .

And of course, there’s no shortage of restaurants, cafes and gelaterias.

12. Botanical Garden – A green oasis

Pisa’s botanical garden, Orto Botanico di Pisa , is right in the middle of the city only a few minutes south of the Leaning Tower.

The University of Pisa is responsible for maintaining the old garden. Within this green sanctuary, you’ll discover a botanical school, tranquil lakes, greenhouses and a diverse array of exquisite trees, flowers and herbs.

A serene haven for nature enthusiasts or those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

The admission fee for adults is 4 euros in 2024 (~ 4.3 USD). On the first Sunday of the month, the entry is free for all.

Read more about the botanical garden on their official website .

13. Palazzo Blu – Museum in a blue palace

Palazzo Blu is located on the southern side of the Arno River between the Church of Santa Maria della Spina and the Ponte di Mezzo bridge.

As the name suggests, it’s a blue palace that stands out from Pisa’s earth-coloured houses with its dusty light blue colour.

The palace serves as a museum and has both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The entry price for adults is 5 euros in 2024 (~ 5.4 USD) but there are reduced prices for groups and families.

Read more about the museum on their official website .

14. Visit a winery – Taste local grapes

For wine enthusiasts, the region boasts numerous wineries open for tastings of the local grapes.

Usually, these tours include a visit to the vineyards and the cellars where you get a glimpse into the winemaking process.

Afterwards, you get to indulge in a wine tasting accompanied by insights into each wine’s unique qualities – all while soaking in the scenic vistas of the Tuscan countryside.

The wine tours come in various durations, levels of privacy and price ranges. Read more about each tour by clicking on the options below.

15. Eat gelato – Enjoy real Italian ice cream

We can’t make a guide to an Italian city without mentioning gelato .

You’ll find excellent gelato shops almost everywhere, offering creamy Italian ice cream that (in our opinion) surpasses the taste of regular ice cream.

16. The best day trips from Pisa

Within a relatively short distance of Pisa, you can visit a multitude of small and large cities, all of which offer staggering amounts of history, art and, not least, fantastic food.

Here are the most prominent cities to consider for day trips from Pisa:

• Lucca . In just 30 minutes by train or car, you can reach the charming medieval city of Lucca known for its intact ancient city wall.
• Florence . It’s just under an hour by train to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
• Cinque Terre . Drive to La Spezia in approximately 1 hour by car or train and use local transport to get to the famous five colourful cities.
• Siena . It takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes by train (or 1 hour and 45 minutes by car), and then you are in one of Tuscany’s absolute prettiest cities.

Map of the best things to do and see in Pisa

Here is a map of all the mentioned experiences and sights in Pisa.

Pisa is a relatively compact city and proximity to the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles are key considerations for most visitors – as well as access to train or plane connections for those not driving around Tuscany.

The city offers a wide range of mid-range hotels providing excellent value for money. Additionally, we’ve curated a selection of hotels offering a slightly higher standard along with two budget-friendly options .

We have written a travel guide to the best hotels in Pisa , where we share more photos and write about each hotel.

Here’s an overview of the best hotels in Pisa.

• Luxury: Bagni di Pisa Palace & Thermal Spa – 5-star palace with spa and natural hot springs just outside Pisa.
• Value for money: Hotel Bologna – Splendid mid-range hotel with everything you need and solid breakfast.
• Budget: My Way – One of Pisa’s cheaper hotels within walking distance to both the airport and the train. The Leaning Tower is a 40-minute walk away. A solid option.

Pisa can easily be explored on foot or by bike .

The city is relatively small with nearly all the sights and attractions conveniently located within walking distance of each other.

If you drive through Italy, you can easily get to Pisa via one of the motorways that pass by the city.

A car is unnecessary in Pisa so you can park it at your hotel or in one of the many parking lots, typically charging a fixed rate per hour or day.

If you’re fortunate, you may find a white parking spot on the street – those are free. In some cases, you may still need to display a parking disc or indicate the parking duration on a piece of paper on the windshield.

Paid parking spaces are marked in blue , while yellow spaces are reserved for special vehicles and should be avoided.

Public car parks

Search for “parking” or “parcheggio” on Google Maps and make sure to read the reviews of the parking lot.

Prices typically vary from 50 cents to 3 euros per hour. Some of them only take coins.

Be aware that there have been incidents of car break-ins in several of the parking lots. It’s advisable not to leave any valuables in your car , even if you’re stopping in Pisa briefly on your way from one city to another. Also if you’re only planning to be away for an hour or two.

Watch out for ZTL

Note that most streets in the historic part of Pisa are designated as a “zona a traffico limitato” (ZTL) , meaning it’s a restricted traffic area with specific regulations for driving and parking.

However, access is typically permitted for bicycles, electric cars, motorcycles, and scooters.

Surveillance cameras are in place, and hefty fines can be incurred for violating the regulations.

If your hotel is located within the ZTL, we recommend contacting them in advance if you plan to drive there.

Public transport

It’s easy to get to Pisa by train whether it’s on a day trip or you’re staying in the city for a few days.

Pisa’s Central Station Pisa Centrale is located south of the centre.

From there, it takes 25-30 minutes to walk to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Square of Miracles, passing several other interesting sights in Pisa on the way.

The train station, Pisa San Rossore , is even closer, with only a fifteen-minute walk to the square and the tower.

If you visit Pisa on a day trip, you can consider arriving at one train station and departing from the other.

The train stations are connected to several cities in the region, for example, Lucca , Livorno , Florence and Siena .

We took the train from Lucca when we visited Pisa.

Flights to Pisa

If you don’t drive to Pisa, you can fly directly to Pisa International Airport (PSA), also known as Galileo Galilei .

From the airport, it only takes 7 minutes by train to the Central Station.

Search for flights to Pisa on Momondo here ( adlink ).

Due to the iconic Leaning Tower, Pisa attracts tourists year-round.

The high season is in July and August when Italians, Europeans and much of the rest of the world enjoy their summer holidays.

July and August are also the hottest months , so if you have the flexibility to plan your trip to Pisa outside of this period, we strongly recommend doing so.

May, June, September and October are good shoulder months with great weather and fewer crowds, although it is always busy in Tuscany after all.

December, January and February are the coldest months (like many other places in Europe).

It rains the most in September, October, November and December.

• Book a ticket in advance (adlink) if you want to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A limited number of tickets are available each day, and visitors are assigned a specific time slot to ascend the tower.
• Buy a combination ticket (adlink) to save money if you plan to visit all the buildings on the Square of Miracles. With this ticket, you’ll also enjoy the perk of skipping the queues.
• Come early if you want to experience the Leaning Tower (and the rest of Pisa) without too many crowds. Alternatively, you can wait until the end of the day, when most day-trippers have gone home.
• Many restaurants close for siesta between lunch and dinner, so keep an eye on the opening hours if you want to eat at a particular restaurant or café during the day.
• Expect an additional charge on the restaurant bill . Most restaurants add a “coperto” per guest, which is a fee per person regardless of your order. It is typically between 1 and 3 euros, which you pay in addition to the price of the food. It’s common to receive a small bread basket with butter or olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a starter.
• Take care of your belongings . Like many tourist destinations, there is a risk of opportunistic pickpockets. Additionally, car break-ins are not uncommon. If you’re driving to Pisa, it’s advisable not to leave any valuables in your car to minimise the risk.

• Travel insurance (adlink) . Never travel without it!
• A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use .
• Sunscreen . Especially if you visit Pisa in the summer. We recommend an organic, vegan sunscreen without oxybenzone and other harmful chemicals.
• Sneakers or other types of shoes you can walk in comfortably.
• A refillable water bottle .

Sustainable travel tips

To travel as sustainably as possible, we recommend the following:

• Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
• Avoid disposable plastics .
• Sort your waste correctly and do not throw it on the ground.

Thank you for reading

Thank you for reading our travel guide to Pisa. We hope it has been helpful!

What do you think of the sights and things to do in Pisa?

Don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments below if you haven’t been to Pisa yet. We are happy to help.

And if you’ve already visited the Leaning Tower, it would be great to hear your best tips and tricks on what to do and see when in Pisa.

Our favourite travel resources:

• Booking.com for cheap hotels.
• Momondo for the best flight deals.
• SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like World Nomads and True Traveller . All three compared here .

Our camera gear:

• Panasonic GH5 . Used for all of our photos and videos.
• DJI Mavic 2 Pro . Best drone out there!
• Sirui Tripod . Lightweight and strong.
• See all of our camera gear here .

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16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Pisa

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Pisa was a major Roman port, but the Arno River has since silted up, leaving it 10 kilometers inland. In 1063, Pisa's navy was instrumental in defeating the Saracens at Messina and Palermo, beginning Pisa's rise to control Mediterranean shipping. The cathedral was built in thanks for these victories and enriched by booty brought back by its fleet in the First Crusade.

Commerce and industry flourished, and Pisa's architects, sculptors, and painters became famous throughout Europe. In 1284, rival Genoa defeated Pisa's navy, and in 1406, Pisa fell to Florence. But the ruling Médici took a keen interest here, constructing bridges and canals, so the city continued to thrive.

Pisa is the birthplace of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), and legend holds that the cathedral's swaying chandelier inspired him to design the clock pendulum. Pisa's main tourist attractions – the Leaning Tower, Cathedral, Baptistery, and Campo Santo – are close together in the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles), and comprise a UNESCO World Heritage site .

If you're wondering where to eat or go shopping in Pisa, follow Via Maffi from the Campo dei Miracoli to the busy Borgo Stretto , lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants.

For more ideas, see our list of the top tourist attractions in Pisa.

See also: Where to Stay in Pisa

1. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

2. cathedral of santa maria assunta, 3. baptistery, 4. campo santo (sacred field), 5. museo dell'opera del duomo (cathedral museum), 6. murale tuttomondo by keith haring, 7. arsenals & museum of ancient ships, 8. santa maria della spina, 9. stroll along borgo stretto, 10. palazzo dei cavalieri, 11. palazzo blu, 12. basilica romanica di san piero a grado, 13. orto botanico (botanic garden), 14. santo stefano dei cavalieri, 15. museo nazionale di san matteo (national museum of san matteo), 16. go to the beach, where to stay in pisa for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to pisa, map of tourist attractions & things to do in pisa, pisa, italy - climate chart, more things to see and do near pisa.

Every child has heard of it, and every visitor to Pisa probably heads first to what is undoubtedly the world's most famous tower: La Torre Pendente, the leaning campanile standing next to the cathedral.

The foundation stone was laid in 1173, when Pisa was Italy's most powerful maritime republic, and its loggia-like tiers were modeled after the cathedral facade. Even before the third story was completed, the tower had already begun to sink alarmingly on its south side. When counterweighting the north side and slightly increasing the height of the south walls proved ineffective, construction was halted.

Almost 100 years later, work resumed, attempting to counteract the tilt by angling the upper stories more towards the vertical. The open bell-chamber was added to the white marble tower in 1350-72, by Tommaso Pisano.

Until 1990, tourists climbed the spiral staircase of 294 steps to the top platform, but with the angle of tilt increasing by one millimeter a year, it was calculated that the tower would topple by the year 2000.

When rotational movement around the axis was also detected, increasing the risk, the tower was closed in 1990 to allow an expensive program of restoration. When the tower re-opened in 2001, the 5.5-degree tilt had been modified to about 3.99 degrees, leaving the top out of line by 3.9 meters. You'll also notice a slight curve in the tower, resulting from attempts by various architects to correct its tilt during construction.

Address: Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa

Official site: http://www.opapisa.it/en

The definitive example of the Pisan architectural style, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a five-aisled Romanesque basilica of white marble designed by Pisan architect Buscheto. Begun in 1063, after Pisa's naval victory over the Saracens, it was consecrated (still unfinished) in 1118, and towards the end of that century, a new west front was added and the main apse was completed.

The decorated arcading on the splendid façade is continued round the side walls, and its transepts end in small apses that project well beyond the aisles. Dominating the whole interior is a well-proportioned oval dome. In the apse is a 13th- to 14th-century mosaic of Christ enthroned between the Virgin and John the Evangelist, by Cimabue. Don't miss the bronze doors of the Porta di San Ranieri, with scenes from the lives of the Virgin and of Christ.

The artistic highlight in the cathedral is the pulpit by Giovanni Pisano , which is similar to the one in the Church of Sant'Andrea in Pistoia . It was created between 1302 and 1311, and Giovanni Pisano's vigorous style and rounded forms mark a departure from the severe style of his father Nicola, whose more angular pulpit you can see in the baptistery.

The pulpit is supported on columns (the shorter ones borne on lions) and figures of the Archangel Michael, Hercules, and Christ, with the Four Evangelists around the base. Relief panels around the pulpit show New Testament scenes.

West of the cathedral, the free-standing baptistery was begun in 1153, almost a hundred years after the cathedral but still in the great days of Pisa. It carries out the design of the cathedral by using the same building material, patterning with different colors of stone, and by the blind arcading and dwarf galleries.

But as work continued over two centuries, it began to show the transition from Romanesque to Gothic between the lower and the upper levels. In 1260, Nicola Pisano took over responsibility for the project, followed (1285-93) by his son Giovanni. The conical dome stands on four pillars and eight columns, creating an effect of light and solemnity.

Like the cathedral, the baptistery's unquestioned highlight is the free-standing marble pulpit, a 1260 masterpiece by Nicola Pisano and one of the great masterworks of Romanesque sculpture. It is decorated with relief panels depicting New Testament scenes with great artistic intensity.

Be sure also to see the font by Guido da Como (1246) and the figures of saints by students of Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. The baptistery is also notable for its superb acoustics, which the guides usually make a point of demonstrating.

According to local legend, Archbishop Ubaldo dei Lanfranchi returned from the Fourth Crusade with several shiploads of earth from Golgotha, so that the citizens of Pisa could be buried in sacred soil. The construction of the Camposanto (Sacred Field) to hold it began in 1278, a large rectangular cloister whose gallery of arches decorated with Gothic tracery open into the courtyard.

On the floor of the cloister are the graves of Pisan patricians, and around the sides are Roman sarcophagi. The walls were covered with 14th- and 15th-century frescoes, but a fire caused by artillery bombardment in 1944 melted the lead roof, either destroying or badly damaging the frescoes.

The upside of this tragic loss was the uncovering of the original artists' sketches in red pigment on the walls underneath. These sinópie were the artist's most important contribution to a fresco, specifying every detail of a composition; the actual painting of the fresco was often left to students and assistants.

These sinópie are now shown, with reproductions of the corresponding frescoes, in Museo delle Sinópie . Those frescoes that were saved have been painstakingly restored over the years and returned to the cloister.

One of the best designed and curated museums in Tuscany is also one of the least-visited places on the Campo dei Miracoli, which is a shame because it adds enormously to an understanding of the art and craftsmanship of that era. And it has an added bonus for those who do explore it: a superb view of the Leaning Tower from the huge second-floor windows.

The cathedral's museum houses its considerable treasury, which includes priceless masterworks of silversmiths, rich embroideries, tombs, sculpture, and paintings. Many of the sculptures once decorated various buildings of the complex, but were brought indoors for protection many years ago - before they were subject to modern atmospheric pollution, so they are in such good condition that they seem to have been created yesterday instead of centuries ago.

The collections, which are well labeled and described in English, begin six centuries ago, with Islamic inlays of colored marble that once decorated the cathedral, reminders that Pisa's naval empire extended into the Middle East.

So many treasures will catch your eye, but don't miss the bronze griffin; the wooden crucifix by Borgognone; the Citharoedus David; the Limoges caskets; the works of Giovanni Pisano, most especially his Madonnas, the exquisite small ivory statue, and the crucifix known as the Crocifisso d'Elci.

You may recognize one Roman sculpture, a bust of Julius Caesar sculpted during or soon after his lifetime, and the image you've seen in most history books.

In 1989, after a chance encounter with a student from Pisa, artist Keith Haring was commissioned to paint a mural on the rear wall of Sant'Antonio Abate church. The resulting Tuttomondo (all the world) is one of the largest murals in Europe , at 180 square meters, and took Haring a week to complete.

Tuttomondo is one of only a few outdoor works created by Haring for permanent public display, and he later called it one of his most important. It was also to be one of his last. He completed only one other mural before his death in 1990 at age 31.

Thirty figures, painted in bright colors and in Haring's cartoon style, seem to tumble across the wall. Women, men, children, a dolphin, a bat, and other animals mix together in an exuberant dance. Haring's message of harmony and love between humans, animals, and nature is as relevant today as it was in 1989.

The Arsenals were built between 1548 and 1588 by Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici to strengthen his naval power and revive the glory days of Pisa's Maritime Republic. The large arcaded sheds were used to build 50-meter-long galleys, warships that were launched directly into the Arno.

The arsenals were built inside the Cittadella, which dates to 1160, but has only the San'Agnese tower still intact. The tall Guelfa Tower (which you can climb for sweeping views across Pisa and the Arno) was built in the early 1400s and rebuilt after World War II damage.

After 1543, the Cittadella was used as artillery barracks and later converted into stables for the Dragon knights, who protected Pisa from Barbary pirates. Today, the arsenal serves as a fitting home for the Museum of Ancient Ships, displaying the exceptional finds from excavations in 1998.

In that year, a construction project unearthed more than 30 ancient ships dating from between the 2nd century BC and the 5th century AD – from the Etruscans to the collapse of the Roman Empire. The grand rooms and aisles built for the Grand Duke's ships, now display the restored Roman ships and the artifacts found with them, telling of voyages, routes, daily life on board, and shipwrecks.

Address: Lungarno Ranieri Simonelli 16, Pisa

Official site: https://www.navidipisa.it/en/

The Church of Santa Maria della Spina, on the left bank of the Arno, is perhaps the best known of Pisa's smaller churches and certainly one of its loveliest. Originally a small oratory sitting right on the river, it suffered severe foundation damage, and in 1871 it was pulled down stone by stone and rebuilt higher up.

The richly ornate Gothic church owes its name to its possession of a thorn ( spina ) from Christ's crown of thorns, brought to Pisa from the Holy Land. The west front has two doorways and three distinctive gables, each with a small rose window. On the south side of the church, a series of arches enclose doorways and windows, and higher up, a niche with figures of Christ and the Apostles.

The building is crowned by tabernacles containing statues, some of them now replaced by copies and the originals displayed in the Museo Nazionale . The original of the Madonna del Latte is also in the museum; the one inside the church is a replica.

Address: Lungarno Gambacorti, Pisa

Between the rail station and the Piazza dei Miracoli, you'll find the narrow, atmospheric Borgo Stretto, lined by buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries. Arcades shelter its sides from the sun and rain, and small shops mix with name-brand stores, cafés, and sidewalk vendors.

Borgo Stretto is always busy, a favorite place for Pisans to stroll and shop. Look for C asa Bocca , at the corner of Borgo Stretto and via Mercanti; it's the house where Galileo was born.

This palace in the Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights' Square) is also known as the Palazzo della Carovana and was originally the Palazzo degli Anziani (Palace of the Elders). In 1562, architect Giorgio Vasari began rebuilding and enlarging it, creating the magnificent Palazzo dei Cavalieri, named after the training courses for knights ( cavalieri ) of the Order of St. Stephen, which were held here.

The most imposing and ornate building outside of the Piazza dei Miracoli , its facade is decorated with sgraffito ornament; coats of arms; and busts of six Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany, from Cosimo I to Cosimo III. The grandeur is enhanced by the projecting roof and the handsome double staircase leading up to the entrance.

Since 1810, the palazzo has housed the Scuola Normale Superiore, an élite college of higher education founded by Napoleon. In front of the building is a statue of Cosimo I by Piero Francavilla. On the north side of the piazza is the Palazzo dell'Orológio, built in 1607 for the Order of St. Stephen and incorporating the remains of two early medieval tower houses.

Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa

Palazzo Giuli Rosselmini Gualandi , more commonly called Palazzo Blu, houses rich permanent collections of paintings and other art, the works of Italian artists from the 16th to the 20th century. In addition, its collections include fine furniture and early coins.

Beyond these collections are a continuing series of special exhibitions that may cover anything from science to cinema, or may feature the works of a single artist, such as M.C. Escher or local favorite, the groundbreaking Italian modernist Amedeo Modigliani.

Address: Lungarno Gambacorti 9, Pisa

Away from the center of Pisa, on the road to its marina, stands the 10th-century basilica built at the old port of Pisa, at the spot where St. Peter is believed to have landed in Italy in 44 AD. The site is well inland today, but 2,000 years ago, the Mediterranean extended this far.

The church was constructed and modified over two centuries, and its interior is lined with frescoes, their colors still vibrant. At the back of the church, excavations reveal foundations of an earlier Paleo-Christian church and even earlier Roman buildings.

Address: Via Livornese, Pisa

Also known as the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Pisa, Pisa's botanical garden was the first university botanical garden in Europe, founded by Cosimo I de'Medici in the mid-1500s. You can explore various environments and collections, both outdoors and in its several buildings, to find herb gardens, an arboretum of rare trees, water gardens, and greenhouses. One of these is Europe's first iron-framed glasshouse.

Be sure to see the old botany school dating from the late 1500s, with its façade decorated in seashells. After Pisa's almost overwhelming abundance of Renaissance artworks, this is a pleasant and restful place to visit in the middle of the city.

Address: Via Luca Ghini 5, Pisa

The Church of Santo Stéfano, like the palaces surrounding Piazza dei Cavalieri, was designed by Vasari. It was originally built in 1565-69, and in 1594-1606, a marble facade was added, designed by Giovanni de' Médici.

The two 17th-century side wings were originally changing-rooms for the knights of the Order of St. Stephen, who wore their ceremonial costume for services. These rooms were later incorporated into the church as aisles, but as they are linked with the nave only by two doorways on each side, the first impression inside is of an aisleless church.

In the panels of the coffered ceiling are paintings showing the history of the Order of St. Stephen, whose function was to defend the city against enemy raids. On the walls are trophies and captured enemy flags recalling Pisa's Turkish wars. Be sure to see the richly decorated high altar (1709), with the throne of the martyred Pope Stephen I (254-257) and the Baroque organ.

Beyond the blockbuster sights of the Campo dei Miracoli, Pisa offers a number of less well-known attractions and things to do. The former Benedictine Convent of San Matteo now houses Pisa's National Museum of San Matteo, featuring sculpture and pictures of the Tuscan schools from the 12th to the 15th centuries.

Particularly interesting are the sculptures from various Pisan churches brought here to preserve them from weather and environmental damage and replaced by copies. Look especially for the originals of statues by Giovanni Pisano from the baptistery and the famous Madonna del Latte (c. 1340) from the Church of Santa Maria della Spina .

Paintings by a number of 12th- and 13th-century artists include religious subjects, and you'll find excellent examples of illuminated books and manuscripts.

Address: Lungarno Mediceo, Piazza San Matteo 1, Pisa

There is no escaping the fact that summers in Pisa are hot. A good way to cool off after sightseeing is to head to the shore. The Arno River flows into the Mediterranean Sea just to the west of central Pisa, and from the port south to Tirrenia, the coast is lined with a succession of sandy beaches.

These are lively, busy bands of sand defined by private beach clubs ( stabilimento balneare ), which for a daily fee provide beach loungers, umbrellas, and the use of changing tents, showers, and restrooms. Although there are occasional free areas of beach, they are small and crowded; to get the full Italian beach experience, you should use a stabilimento.

We recommend these convenient hotels near the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli, and other top tourist attractions in Pisa:

• Bologna Hotel Pisa : This mid-priced hotel has an old-world feel and is close to shops and restaurants; the hotel offers free breakfast and an airport shuttle.
• NH Pisa : Conveniently located near the train station, NH Pisa offers amenities not usually found in mid-priced hotels, such as valet parking and soundproof rooms.
• Hotel Alessandro della Spina : This affordable three-star hotel has a friendly staff, spacious rooms, and an included breakfast.
• Helvetia : In a beautiful old building on a quiet street, this budget hotel has a whimsical decor.

Getting to Pisa:

• Pisa is the arrival point for many travelers, as it has Tuscany's largest airport. But most visitors come to Pisa from Florence, less than an hour away by direct train. The Leaning Tower and surrounding attractions are about a 30-minute walk from the train station. An easy way to visit these sights is on a Pisa Half-Day Trip from Florence including Skip-the-Line Leaning Tower of Pisa Ticket , which has the added advantage of getting you directly to the Leaning Tower without having to wait in the long lines. A local guide can also add perspective to Pisa and its surroundings during the coach ride from Florence.

Places to Visit on Day Trips: Of the many possible day trips from Pisa, the lovely walled town of Lucca is the closest, a short train ride away. South of Pisa is Livorno and to the east is San Gimignano , one of the most beautiful hill towns in Tuscany.

Where to Go from Pisa: Although there are no beaches in Pisa, Viareggio is only 15 minutes to the north and beyond it is Forte dei Marmi, along a coast with some of Italy's best beaches . For more active outdoor activity, continue north along the coast to hike the trail between the towns of the Cinque Terre , one of the top things to do in Italy .

More on Italy

11 Best Things To Do in Pisa, Italy

Pisa, Italy , is home to the world-renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa and many other architectural wonders. The city is spectacularly rich in history, from ancient churches and palaces to beautiful Italian squares. After a busy day of sightseeing, wander the old streets, try different gelato flavors, or stroll along the Arno river with the majestic mountains in the background. Enjoy all the top things to do in Pisa!

Things to do in Pisa

Pisa is one of the most popular cities in Italy , mainly because of its famous monument, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The building is definitely a must-see on your trip. However, there’s also much more to see in this beautiful part of Tuscany .

Here are all your hotel options in Pisa.

It’s one of the smaller cities in the region, and because of its size, it’s an excellent place for a weekend city vacation. Alternatively, visit for the day on your Tuscany road trip.

Read: Tuscany road trip guide

Baptisterium

The Baptisterium (place of baptism) sits right by the leaning tower of Pisa in the middle of a vast grass square. The 54 meters high, circular-shaped building has an incredible domed roof and an intricate facade. What’s more, just like the leaning tower of Pisa, this building also leans a little too, although not quite as much!

Hotels in Pisa 😴

Wander around the cylindrical building admiring the details of the architecture before taking a look inside. The interior, although simple, is beautiful. It’s worth visiting for the upper level, where you can see amazing views out over the rest of Pisa.

Entry fee: €7 EUR. Alternatively, book a guided tour that includes entrance to the Baptistery, Cathedral, and Leaning Tower.

Camposanto is a massive cemetery within the same complex as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was built in 1277 to make the graves next to the cathedral look a bit neater. It’s also said that the soil here came from Jesus’s place of crucifixion! All this history means many famous and influential people are buried here, such as the mathematician Fibonacci, who created the Fibonacci sequence that we still learn in school today.  

The interior of the Camposanto has magnificent frescoes. However, the real highlight is the interior courtyard with its regal columns and arches. 

Also read: Best things to do in Florence, Italy

Cattedrale de Pisa

The Cathedral of Pisa (Santa Maria Assunta) is often forgotten about in favor of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. However, it stands right next door and is a historical gem in its own right. The beautiful Romanesque building is made from white marble that’s been intricately carved and sculpted. Inside, you can find more marble, as well as religious relics, gold gilding, and beautiful paintings.  Book your tickets in advance for the Cathedral here .

Tip: Make sure to see the famous pulpit carved from marble by the renowned sculptor Giovanni Pisano.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has become famous for its noticeable tilt (of 5.5 degrees), making the building look as if it defies gravity! The eight-story building is the cathedral’s bell tower, although the bells haven’t rung in over 100 years.

This was our hotel next to the Leaning Tower

Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa tilt?

Construction began in 1172 before they realized the ground they were building on wasn’t stable. Over 200 years, they tried to fix the lean, but it wasn’t possible in the end. Now, measures are taken to prevent its collapse, but its sharp tilt has become a funny phenomenon for tourists to document.

See tickets and availability for a guided tour of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Although many people come here to get the classic Leaning Tower of Pisa photo, it’s worth taking a good look at the building itself and its fantastic architecture. You can even climb 297 steps to the top of the tower, where you can get great city views. In the past, this wasn’t allowed for fear that it might make the building lean even more! 

Entry fee: To climb the tower, you need to buy a ticket for 18 EUR. Be aware that it will be a long queue. If you want to skip the wait, you can buy ‘skip the line’ tickets for 28 EUR.

Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles)

The leaning tower of Pisa, Cathedral, Camposanto, and Baptisterium all sit in a beautiful grass square that’s free of cars. This area is now a designated UNESCO world heritage site because of its cultural and historical significance. After you’ve visited all the sights, spend a few hours just lying in the grass around the monuments. This is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon in Pisa!

Santa Maria Della Spina

Pisa has lots of churches, but Santa Maria Della Spina is arguably the most beautiful of them all. This tiny church has a detailed Gothic facade and a unique setting on the riverbank. Della Spina means ‘of the thorn’ as one of the thorns from Jesus’ thorn crown once rested at this site.

Entry fee : €1.50 EUR

Gelateria De’ Coltelli

Gelato is life in Italy , and Pisa does it very well. There are plenty of places to grab some refreshing ice cream, but the most famous is the Gelateria De’ Coltelli. It’s known for its exotic gelato flavors, where people can choose anything from candied lemon peel to ginger. Plus, it’s got a great location on the banks of the River Arno. 

Borgo Stretto

Borgo Stretto is the most important shopping street in all of Pisa. However, it’s not just for shopping; it’s the perfect place to admire the beautiful Italian townhouses painted in terracottas and pinks with their wooden shutters and hanging washing.

The ancient street passes adjacent to the river and has many narrow lanes shooting off into cute squares. Walk Borgo Stretto, admiring the stone archways and collonades that house all the cute boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, finding hidden gems around every corner – one of the top things to do in Pisa!

Best things to do in Rome, Italy!

Kieth Haring House

Kieth Haring is a famous artist known for his vibrant murals. He painted this huge mural across one side of a grand Italian house with an array of colors. The abstract piece depicts moving people, meant to represent life and vitality. What’s unusual about this piece is the unique mixture of old and new, with the modern work splashed across a traditional home wall.

Visiting the Keith Haring house is undoubtedly a special thing to do in Pisa!

Palazzo Della Carovana

Palazzo Della Carovana is a stunning square that sits at the very center of Pisa, Italy . Known as the Knights Square, it’s home to fascinating historical buildings such as the magnificent Palace of the Elders and the Normale di Pisa University.

The square is incredibly rich in history. In fact, the university was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte, and the library was once the seat of the government in the middle ages. Now, it’s a great place to come and hang out, watching the students go about their day amongst the series of beautiful buildings.

Sadly, most of these buildings aren’t accessible to the public, but they’re still worth a visit and one of the top things to do in Pisa. 

Parco Don Bosco 

Parco Don Bosco is the city’s park: a beautiful green space filled with pine trees that’s great for escaping the heat and the buzz of the city. Bring a picnic and enjoy some time in the peace of nature. You can also see the remains of a Roman aqueduct that runs right alongside the park. History is everywhere in Pisa!

Also visit: The waterfalls at the Elsa Trail in Tuscany

Best Cafes and Restaurants Pisa

Italy is famous for its delicious food, and Pisa is no exception. Discover beautiful cafes to try variations of freshly made pasta dishes, gelaterias with every flavor you can imagine, and shops selling local cheeses and meats. Make sure to look out for the traditional Tuscan soup and focaccia, or perhaps join a cooking workshop where you can learn how to make pasta like a true local!

Some of our favorite restaurants were:

• Peperoncino
• Pasticceria Dolcepisa (vegan and gluten-free options)
• Ristoro Pecorino
• Filter Coffee Lab (hipster vibe)
• Kabuto Ramen & Bistrot

Tip : Try to stay away from restaurants located right by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Although the view is good, the prices are much higher, and you’ll find some more authentic places to eat down the narrow streets.

How to Visit Pisa

Pisa’s popularity means it’s really easy to visit from all over the world. It has an international airport with flights running to major destinations around Europe and internationally!

Because of its airport, Pisa is known as the gateway into the Tuscany region, and it’s a great place to base yourself to visit other places in the area.

It’s also got a beautiful train station where you can find trains leaving to other major cities in Italy , such as Rome , Florence , Naples, and Turin. Alternatively, if you’re planning on doing a Tuscany road trip , rent a car from Pisa and use it as a jumping-off point to other destinations in the region.

We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Getting around Pisa

Pisa, although one of the most important cities in Tuscany , is also one of the smallest. Because of this, it’s super easy to see everything the city has to offer on foot. This is also an excellent slow way to take in all your surroundings and find secret spots that you might not have if you were on the bus or metro.

If you want to explore a bit further outside of Pisa, do as the locals do and rent a Vespa or bicycle! There’s nothing better than seeing the beauty of Tuscany with the wind in your hair.

Where to Stay in Pisa

There are lots of great neighborhoods to stay in in Pisa. However, if it’s your first time visiting and you want to be close to all the sights, we recommend staying in the central area of Santa Maria.

We stayed right next to the leaning tower; see the hotel here (and the image below). For a slightly cheaper alternative, choose to stay in the neighborhood of San Giusto, which is near the train station. There are lots of great local cafes and restaurants here too!

Best Time to Visit Pisa

For most people, the main draw of visiting Pisa is the Leaning Tower of Pisa itself. This, and all the other unique historical attractions, means there are often many tourists and long queues.

Because of this, it’s best to visit in the springtime, when you’ll still get pleasant temperatures but queues will be smaller, and the city will, in general, be much quieter. It also means lower prices!

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8 Best Things To Do in Florence, Italy

Cinque terre, italy: the five stunning villages of italy, 11 best things to do in venice (city trip guide).

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Virtual travel to Pisa, Italy

Top attractions & things to do in pisa:.

Pisa, facts and travel tips

Pisa is a city with an aristocratic air and rich in charm, which thanks to its proximity to the sea emits a particular light. Without a doubt, its most famous attraction is the leaning tower, yet beyond Piazza dei Miracoli, the city reserves incredible surprises. Pisa is so ancient that it doesn't have a birth date, but it has been connected to water since its origins. It was founded in one of the great inlets of the Arno River , but it was mainly the sea that marked its destiny, and over the centuries it became a great Maritime Republic and an invincible naval power. The Pisans were so rich and ingenious that they took the most beautiful things from the Mediterranean, and the city became a fundamental capital for culture and gave birth to illustrious personalities of every era such as Galileo or the famous mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci.

Today, the nightlife is boosted by a centuries-old elite university , shopping opportunities range from flea markets to fashionable boutiques while city streets and piazzas are lined with fine examples of medieval, Gothic and Renaissance architecture .

Pisa travel tips

• Pisa travel guide for first-time visitors
• Top 20 things to do in Pisa
• 10 facts you didn't know about the Leaning Tower of Pisa

What are the best things to do in Pisa?

Pisa came to importance under the Romans and went on to flourish as a commercial port for many centuries . By the 10th-century it had become an independent and formidable maritime state and a significant rival to Venice and Genoa .

Two centuries later, Pisa controlled the Tuscan coast, Sardinia, and Corsica while its intrepid sailors brought back spices and exotic goods along with new ideas and inventions. The city's surviving Romanesque architecture stems from this period of glory with much of the sculptural work crafted by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, a talented father-and-son team.

The medieval heart of Pisa can be discovered north of the river and is an enchanting maze of lanes and alleys. These stretch from the bars and ice-cream parlors of the Piazza Cairoli to the daily market that overflows from the Piazza delle Vettovaglie .

Pisa fell to Florence and the Medicis in the early 15th-century when the period of Renaissance building began and the university was revitalized. It was here that Pisa's most famous son, Galileo Galilei became a professor of astronomy.

Piazza dei Miracoli is a central tourist hub and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Not only is it home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa but also to the city's Duomo , Baptistry , and Campanile as well as the Ospedale Nuovo di Santo Spirito .

Once away from this bustling piazza, visitors can enjoy the colorful palaces and aristocratic homes that line the south bank of the River Arno or step into the Corso Italia for a spot of high-end shopping. Art lovers can indulge themselves in the Museo delle Sinopie or the Museo di San Matteo .

If lucky enough to be spending a few days in Pisa, visitors should save their tour of the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower until later in the day. The crowds have gone, the queues have disappeared, and during the late opening periods of the summer months, night adds a special enchantment to the white stone monuments.

For al fresco summer evenings, join the locals in the Piazza delle Vettovaglie or the Piazza Dante Alighieri where they will be enjoying the subtle flavors of local Pisan wines such as a Chianti delle Colline or a Bianco Pisano di San Torpe .

What is the best time of year to visit Pisa?

Several annual festivals and celebrations are held in June , so it is advisable to make travel arrangements and book accommodation well in advance.

The Luminara Festival takes place on June 16th. After sunset, the city lights are dimmed along the river bank, and over 10,000 candles are lit. Celebrations end with a big fireworks display.

The Regata of San Ranieri takes place on June 17th which is the Festival of San Ranieri , the city's patron saint.

The last Sunday in June sees the Game of Bridge . This has its roots deep in history and involves two determined teams trying to take control of the Arno's main bridge, the Ponte di Mezzo . Beginning with a colorful parade of locals dressed in 16th-century Spanish costumes, the battle continues through the night.

It is also worth visiting Pisa in December to take advantage of the Christmas market held in the city center while in May a Flower Festival takes place at Le Piagge.

What is the weather and climate like in Pisa?

With its subtropical Mediterranean climate , visiting Pisa is pleasant at any time of the year. Winter temperatures generally remain well above freezing while during spring and autumn they hover in the late teens.

The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can peak at 29.5°C (85.1°F). Although rainfall is heaviest in the autumn , showers are likely all year round.

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19 BEST Things to do in Pisa, Italy 2024 // Map & 1-DAY Pisa Itinerary

From the leaning tower of pisa to roman ruins, unique-style pizza to ancient city walls, here are the best things to do in pisa.

Pisa is a popular day trip from Florence and tops the bucket list of many travelers with its iconic leaning tower. But many don’t know that this charming Tuscan town on the tranquil banks of the Arno river has so much more to offer than just a tower that made history with its iconic tilt. 

Once a thriving maritime power hub, Pisa is a treasure trove of history, fascinating sights, and quaint corners of Italian daily life. Its diverse attractions perfectly blend past and present, culture and relaxation. So, while the leaning tower may be the town’s most famous landmark, it’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of attractions in Pisa.

Table of contents

Use the links below to get the most out of this comprehensive travel guide to the best things to do in Pisa, Italy.  

• How to get to Pisa

Tips for visiting Pisa

Map of things to do in pisa.

• Best things to do in Pisa
• Recommended Itinerary: Things to do in Pisa for a day trip

If you land at Pisa Airport, hop onto the PisaMover shuttle (€5 one way) for a quick and comfortable ride to Pisa Centrale. From there, catch the ROSSA bus, which will take you straight to Campo dei Miracoli where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located. 

If you’re only stopping in Pisa for a short time and planning to continue your journey to Florence , you can easily leave your luggage at the train station baggage deposit . This way, you won’t have to worry about dragging it around the city, and you can pick it up on your way back.  

While it may be tempting to rent a car to get around, navigating the city’s narrow streets can be pretty challenging, especially since the city center is a limited traffic zone. You wouldn’t want to risk a hefty fine, would you? However, if you do have a rental car, your best bet is to look for a free or paid parking spot outside the city center and then hop on public transportation to reach the main attractions in Pisa.

If the thought of wandering around on your own seems overwhelming, you can treat yourself to a half-day guided tour of Pisa from Florence or opt for a broader excursion that includes other Tuscan highlights, such as this guided day trip from Florence.   

Piazza Martiri della Libertà

June, however, is still a great month, especially if you’re interested in local festivals. It’s the month that celebrates the city’s patron saint San Ranieri when Pisa truly comes alive with some fantastic celebrations. The Luminary on June 16th is particularly noteworthy, as the buildings lining the river banks are adorned with countless wax candles, creating a stunning spectacle at night, complete with fireworks. Other notable festivals include the Historical Regatta of San Ranieri on June 17th and the Battle of the Bridge on the last Saturday of the month, during which the city’s districts challenge each other on the Ponte di Mezzo bridge.

Pisa is a small city that’s easily explored on foot. While the Campo dei Miracoli with the Leaning Tower are must-see attractions, be sure to venture into the historic center and explore as much of the city as possible. You’ll be surprised at how much Pisa has to offer. 

To avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit the Leaning Tower and its neighboring attractions early in the morning or much later in the afternoon. This way, you can avoid the peak times of large tour groups and have a more enjoyable experience.

Watch my Florence to Pisa day trip video

Best things to do in pisa , how to get to pisa , 1. campo dei miracoli – home to the leaning tower of pisa.

Campo dei Mircoli is a true artistic and architectural masterpiece that’s been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, cementing its place as a wonder of the world. While its location outside of city center may seem odd for what’s considered to be the heart of Pisa, it’s important to note that the city was once a major maritime power (rivalling the likes of Venice) so by placing its religious center outside the protective walls, it showed it feared no threat. Or, perhaps the sheer grandeur of the monuments simply required more space than the walls could contain!  

The piazza covers an impressive 22 acres, and its magnificent buildings, constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries, are intricately linked, showcasing a continuous dialogue between heaven and earth. Notably, the piazza’s three most prominent structures – the Baptistery, the Cathedral, and the Campo Santo – embody distinct stages of life: birth, life, and death, respectively.

Tickets to the sites on Campo dei Miracoli can be purchased online up to 20 days in advance. There are tickets for single sites or 10€ combo tickets that grant access to all monuments and museums in the square, except for the Tower. If you want Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets, you’ll need to purchase the combo ticket which costs 27€. 

With so much to see in the square, exploring on your own can be overwhelming. To save time and make sure you don’t miss anything important, consider taking a guided visit like this comprehensive tour of Miracle Square , which includes skip-the-line entry to the Leaning Tower.

2. Pisa Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo

As you approach the Cathedral, you can’t help but be captivated by its grandeur. The facade has massive bronze portals, polychrome marble, and impressive decorative features. But the true beauty lies within the five-nave interiors, where you will find granite columns from Elba island (Tuscany’s biggest island and Italy’s third-largest,), a wooden ceiling with gilded coffers, and exquisite artworks, including a mosaic piece by Cimabue. 

The Cathedral also serves as the final resting place of San Ranieri, the city’s patron saint. On June 16th, the city dedicates a beautiful festival to him, while on June 17th, a historic Regatta takes place on the Arno river, commemorating the saint’s life and legacy.

How to visit: Entrance to the Cathedral is complimentary if you purchase any ticket to other monuments, and there are no specific time restrictions. However, if you wish to only visit the Cathedral, there are a limited number of free passes available but they can only be obtained from the ticket offices right behind the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

3. The Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Baptistry was constructed in the 12th century as an addition to the city’s impressive cathedral and some of the greatest artists of all time had worked on it. Among them are Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, a father and son duo whose names are etched in the annals of art history as the revolutionary sculptors who paved the way for the Renaissance in sculpture.  

This stunning building boasts a double dome that creates unparalleled acoustics. Be sure to keep an ear out for the melodies sung by the guardians every half hour, perfectly accentuating the sound quality of the building. And if that’s not enough to leave you awe-struck, don’t forget to take in the incredible views of the Cathedral facade from the second-floor window. 

How to visit: Tickets cost 7€ and are valid for one year from the chosen date of purchase. Free admission is available for disabled visitors accompanied by their carer and those under 11 who are accompanied by an adult. Note that certain areas may be closed due to restoration work on the matroneum. In addition, opening hours may vary on Sundays and religious holidays.

4. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower is undoubtedly the star attraction of Pisa. Completely made of gleaming white marble, this magnificent structure is an authentic Italian icon. But don’t just breeze through and snap the obligatory cheesy photos holding it up – take the time to learn about its fascinating history and appreciate the ingenuity behind this architectural wonder.

While the architect’s name may remain unknown, one thing is certain – this tower was meant to be a vertical bell tower like any other. However, its distinctive tilt makes it stand out from the rest. The cause of this tilt can be attributed to the weak and shifting soil beneath it. Even during its construction, this bell tower began to show signs of structural failure, causing it to worsen over time.

In 1990, the Leaning Tower was closed to the public to stabilize it. After much effort, it finally reopened to the public in 2001 and today you can climb up the tower’s spiral staircase and enjoy breathtaking views of Pisa and its surroundings.

Inside the shaft of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Legend has it that Galileo Galilei, the renowned Pisan scientist, conducted his experiments on gravity from the top of the tower to test the relationship between mass and speed. While there’s no concrete evidence to support this tale, it’s still thrilling to imagine one of the world’s most brilliant minds tinkering with physics from up there!

How to visit: The visit typically lasts 30 minutes. Tickets cost 20€ and are only valid for the specified date and time of purchase. It’s best to book them well in advance (up to 20 days out) due to high demand. For safety reasons, children under 8 cannot enter, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Additionally, all handbags, backpacks, and luggage must be left in the cloakroom before the visit. Admission is free for disabled visitors accompanied by their adult carer.

5. Camposanto

But Pisa’s Camposanto is not just a simple burial ground. Its corridors are the repository of great works of art, including sculptures, Roman sarcophagi, and beautiful frescoes depicting the themes of Life and Death created by the talented Florentine artists Buonamico Buffalmacco and Francesco Traini.

Legend has it that the Camposanto was built on sacred soil brought all the way from the Holy Land during the Crusades. Whether or not this is true, there’s no denying the sense of history and reverence surrounding this unique site.   

How to visit: Tickets cost 7€, with free entrance on the 1 and 2 November on the occasion of All Souls and Saints’ days. Free admission is available only for disabled visitors with their carer and for visitors under 11 accompanied by an adult. 

6. The Sinopie Museum 

The Sinopie Museum is a hidden treasure not to be missed when visiting the Campo dei Miracoli complex. It showcases a collection of  sinopie , the preparatory drawings that are traced on the first layer of plaster and represent the first steps in creating a fresco. The name comes from sinoper , the red pigment mixed with water that’s applied by brush.  

The museum is located inside the Spedale Nuovo, a historic pilgrimage hospital dating back to the 13th century. When bombs rained down on the Camposanto, a devastating fire swept through the area, threatening to destroy the priceless frescoes that adorned its walls. To save them, the frescoes were removed from the walls and mounted onto panels. But during this delicate process, the preparatory sketches were revealed, offering a glimpse into the creative process of the artists who had created these masterpieces centuries ago.

How to visit: Tickets cost 7€, with free admission available for disabled visitors accompanied by their carer and for visitors under 11 accompanied by an adult.

7. Opera del Duomo Museum 

Nestled within the walls of a stunning 15th-century convent, the Opera del Duomo Museum in Pisa is a must-see for art and history enthusiasts alike. It showcases a fascinating collection of 380 unique works of art and decorative elements, all sourced from the Cathedral’s treasury and the stunning buildings of Campo dei Miracoli.

Spanning over a thousand years, the collection is a testament to the intricate relationships that have shaped the city’s history with Mediterranean cultures. There’s also a lovely cloister that’s a real oasis of tranquillity. For a truly magical experience, head to the top floor to enjoy a cup of coffee (or some tasty pancakes, in my case) at the panoramic café while taking in an unparalleled view of the iconic Tower of Pisa and Campo dei Miracoli.

8. The Baths of Nero

Pisa, which would later become a renowned maritime republic in the Middle Ages, had a significant Roman presence and was home to several remarkable structures, including a monumental forum, temples, and an amphitheater. Sadly, today only this thermal complex remains visible. This site was excavated in the second half of the 19th century and is one of the few remaining remnants of the city’s Roman past. 

The thermal establishment is named after Emperor Nero due to rumors circulating during the Middle Ages. However, there is no concrete evidence that the Emperor actually visited Pisa or had anything to do with the establishment. Still, the complex has been commonly known as such since then.

How to visit: Currently, it is not possible to enter the site. However, it can be viewed almost completely from outside the fenced area. Keep an eye on the Pisa Tourism website for further updates.

9. Piazza dei Cavalieri 

The square’s centerpiece is the magnificent Palazzo dei Cavalieri, a 16th-century masterpiece that serves as the seat of the prestigious Normale di Pisa University (Italian: Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa), founded by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. 

Its facade is truly a sight to behold, thanks to the masterful work of artist Vasari who embellished it with allegorical figures, zodiac signs, and the busts of the Grandukes of Tuscany.

Another gem is Palazzo dell’Orologio, which once served as the government headquarters during the medieval era. Its walls bear witness to a heart-wrenching tale that has been immortalized in Dante’s Divine Comedy. It recounts the story of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, a traitor of the city who was starved to death along with his sons and grandchildren within the walls of this palace.

10. Pizzeria Il Montino

While they offer a daily menu of local specialties, they’re best known for their  cecina  (the region’s famous chickpea flatbread) and pizzas. Though be warned, they’re far from the standard: thick, crispy, and loaded with cheese. One of the most popular is Pizza Pisana, topped with zesty tomato, salty capers, anchovies, and Parmesan, promising an explosion of flavor.

How to visit: Il Montino is located on Via del Monte 1 and is open every day except Sundays. They serve lunch from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and dinner from 7pm to 10:30pm.

11. Church of Santa Maria della Spina 

The building’s exterior is divided into two perfectly symmetrical parts, adorned with delicate spirals, intricate rose windows, elegant marble inlays, grand pinnacles, and magnificent statues – all meticulously crafted to embody the essence of Gothic architecture. In contrast, the interior is a masterful showcase of simplicity and elegance, preserving one of the finest examples of Gothic sculpture: the Madonna of the Rose by Andrea and Nino Pisano.

How to visit: the Church is located at Lungarno Gambacorti 5 and is open for free visits on the following days and times: Mondays (10am to 1pm), Tuesdays to Thursdays (3pm to 7pm) and Fridays to Sundays (10am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm).

12. La Bottega del Gelato 

La Bottega del Gelato  has been serving artisanal gelato since 1979 when it opened its first location near the river bank. Their gelato is renowned for being completely handmade using high-quality ingredients, such as Sicilian lemons, Cantiano cherries, and Sorrento walnuts. The range of flavors is ample and varied, including classics like cream and chocolate as well as inventive variations like ricotta cheese with figs and walnuts and bitter orange with cinnamon.

How to visit: La Bottega del Gelato is in Piazza Garibaldi and is open every day from 11am to 1am.

13. Piazza delle Vettovaglie

During the day, this square is filled with colorful stalls selling fresh produce. But as the sun sets, it transforms into a lively hangout spot with cozy bars and eateries sprawling onto the open space. A favorite among locals and visitors is Cecco Rivolta, a winery serving excellent Tuscan wine paired with platters of cold cuts and cheeses.

Artwork by local artists on Vicolo del Vigna

14. Keith Haring’s mural

This mural came to life through a chance encounter between the artist and a Pisan student on holiday in New York. The two struck up a friendship, and the Italian convinced the artist to come to Italy to create a work outdoors that would be accessible to everyone. 

The mural, considered Haring’s artistic testament, expresses his vision of life as a puzzle of colorful figures, each representing a unique aspect of a peaceful world.

How to visit: You’ll find Haring’s mural in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.

If you have more time in Pisa…

15. palazzo blu  .

The palace boasts a permanent collection of paintings from the 14th to the 18th century, plus a photographic archive documenting life in Pisa during the second half of the 20th century. It also hosts cultural activities and temporary exhibits, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the arts.

How to visit: Palazzo Blu is located on Lungarno Gambacorti 32 and is open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm, and from Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm. The entrance fee is €3 and includes access to the temporary exhibitions.

16. University of Pisa Botanical Gardens 

Among the city’s stunning architecture and artistic treasures lies an oasis of natural beauty that’s just as fascinating as the other more famous things to do in Pisa: the Botanical Gardens of Pisa University . Established in 1543, they are the first university gardens in the world and boast an impressive collection of flora from across the globe. 

There is also a Botanical Museum, which Ferdinando I de ‘Medici created to complement the gardens. It showcases portraits of famous botanists, ancient teaching material, and a multimedia station where you can take a virtual tour of the herbarium, whose exclusive collection is typically only accessible to scholars by appointment.

How to visit: The Botanical Gardens are located in Via Luca Ghini 13, near Piazza dei Cavalieri, and are open throughout the year starting from 8:30 am. Closing times may vary depending on the season. Admission tickets are priced at €4, and family tickets are also available for €8.

17. The walkway of the Pisa’s ancient walls

At a towering height of 11 meters, the  walkway along Pisa’s ancient walls  offers a unique perspective to take in the city’s sights. These walls are not only among Italy’s oldest but also some of the best-preserved medieval walls in all of Europe.

The walls’ construction, which began in 1154, followed the natural elements present, making it an architectural wonder that blends harmoniously with its surroundings. After years of restoration, you can now take a leisurely walk along the trail of the Walls and immerse yourself in the panoramic view of the city. 

How to visit:  Opening times vary depending on the time of year; in high season, they are open every day from 10am to 8pm. Admission tickets are priced at €5, and there are four access points, three of which are accessible to disabled individuals. Check the website for complete details.

18. The Museum of Ancient Boats (Museo delle Navi Antiche di Pisa)

Pisa has a long history as a maritime superpower, and the  Museum of Ancient Boats provides an in-depth account of a millennium of trade, seafaring, and navigation. Housed within the Medicean Arsenals on the Pisan Lungarno, this museum is considered the largest of its kind and is the result of 20 years of extensive research and investigation. Its collection of ancient boats and artifacts showcases the city’s maritime heritage and its role in shaping the Mediterranean’s cultural and commercial exchange.

There are 8 thematic areas to explore, which host seven boats from the roman age, datable between the 3rd and the 7th century A.D., of which four are essentially intact. Also exhibited are 800 finds, including maps and personal belongings that narrate daily life aboard for both the mariners and the passengers.

How to visit: The exhibition is open on Fridays from 3:30pm to 6:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am to 6.30pm (until 8:30pm between June and September). Tickets cost €10.

19. Osteria dei Cavalieri

If you have time for dinner, then Osteria dei Cavalieri is one of the best restaurants in Pisa for savoring some delicious local cuisine before ending your trip. Just a short walk away from Campo dei Miracoli, this restaurant is housed in a historic building dating from the 1200s, with bottles of wine all over and classic tablecloths that exude a slightly old-fashioned charm. 

Dishes here are deeply rooted in tradition, offering a variety of delicious options like ravioli filled with flavorful pecorino cheese, grilled T-bone steaks, ossobuco with beans, and ribollita soup. They also have an extensive wine selection featuring both classic and new labels.

How to visit: Osteria dei Cavalieri is located on Via San Frediano, near Piazza Dei Cavalieri. They are open for lunch (12 pm to 2:15 pm) and dinner (7:45 pm to 10:30 pm) but closed on Sundays and for lunch on Wednesdays.

Recommended Itinerary: Pisa day trip from Florence

If you arrive at Pisa Centrale station, you can begin by walking to the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate to see Keith Haring’s iconic mural. Its bright, vivid colors are sure to brighten up your day! 

Next, cross the river and head to Piazza delle Vettovaglie to experience the bustling market, where locals shop for fresh produce. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of this vibrant space, and maybe even indulge in some tasty treats along the way. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll around Borgo Stretto, one of the city’s main streets, boasting a beautiful portico arcade home to elegant shops and cafes. 

Take some time to explore the picturesque Arno riverfront, framed by charming landmarks like the tiny Church of Santa Maria della Spina. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a cone of mouth-watering gelato from La Bottega del Gelato while you’re there. Then, as lunchtime approaches, head to Il Montino and fuel up with a delicious Pizza Pisana before continuing your exploration of Pisa.  

Check out the ancient Baths of Nero, a fascinating testament to the city’s Roman past, before immersing yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Campo dei Miracoli, where you can spend the rest of your day discovering the many treasures this stunning location has to offer. 

With your timed ticket, you can quickly access the Leaning Tower and climb up its spiral staircase for some beautiful views over the city. Next, stop for the mandatory photo ops before exploring all the other gems in the square. 

End your day with a refreshing drink or some delicious pancakes at the panoramic café in the Opera del Duomo Museum. The view is fantastic, and the food is sure to satisfy your cravings. As the day comes to a close, hop in a taxi or stroll back to the train station.

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Pisa Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

Located in Tuscany, most people visit Pisa as a day trip from Florence to see the Leaning Tower and take those cheesy (but fun) photos of them pushing it over or holding it up.

But there’s a lot more to Pisa than just the tower, which, along with the Cathedral, Baptistery, and Campo Santo comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are beautiful historic churches, tons of outdoor activities, delicious food, and lots of history. You can easily spend a couple of days here without getting bored.

Because it’s a day trip destination, few tourists stay in the city — or even visit beyond the tower area — so if you do stay longer you’ll have the city to yourself.

This Pisa travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this underrated destination!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Pisa

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Pisa

1. See the Leaning Tower

Pisa’s most famous attraction was started in 1173 and finished in 1399. It’s the bell tower of Pisa’s cathedral, located next door. Although it was meant to be perfectly vertical, the tower started leaning during construction due to the weight of the building on an unstable foundation. Come take a look at the Romanesque tower, walk the 251 steps to the top, and take the quintessential picture of you trying to hold it up (or push it over)! Admission to the top is 20 EUR or 27 EUR for a ticket that includes all the monuments in the complex. DiscoveryPisa runs guided tour of all three sites for 30 EUR if you want a more detailed experience.

2. Admire the Duomo

Construction of this medieval Roman Catholic cathedral began in the 11th century, but some of its most prominent features, including the bronze doors, weren’t added until the 16th century. The stunning building, designed in the Pisan Romanesque style, is impressive inside and out, with lines of columns and arches, a Byzantine-style mosaic at the apse, and a golden ceiling added by the Medicis (a powerful Italian dynasty) in the 16th century. It’s free to enter, but you have to get a ticket that designates a time slot from the ticket office (if you buy a ticket to the Leaning Tower, entrance to the cathedral is included, so you won’t need to get a separate ticket). Just be sure to dress respectfully since it is a religious site.

3. Visit Camposanto

According to legend, this cemetery was built on the spot where Crusaders placed soil they brought back from the Holy Land (“Campo Santo” translates as “Holy Field”). There is a beautiful garden in the cloistered quadrangle, numerous 14th-century frescoes in the Frescoes Room, and three chapels. The lamp that Galileo (the father of observational astronomy) used in his astronomical calculations is located in the Aulla Chapel. It’s 7 EUR to visit on its own, though it’s also part of the 27 EUR Combined Tower Ticket.

4. Tour the Museo di San Matteo

This is an art and history museum housed inside an 11th-century Benedictine convent with a special collection of art from the churches of Pisa. Despite its somewhat petite size, this museum is host to one of the biggest exhibits of Tuscan Renaissance art in all of Europe. Most of the museum focuses on works from the early medieval period to the 16th century, but there is also an exhibit with artifacts discovered from archaeological excavations in and around Pisa. Admission is 5 EUR.

5. Take a day trip to Lucca

Other things to see and do in pisa, 1. take a free walking tour.

One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new city is take a free walking tour. It’s the best budget-friendly way to see the highlights and connect with a local guide who can answer all your questions. Free Walking Tour Pisa offers regular tours that cover all the main sights. Just be sure to tip your guide!

2. Visit the Baptistery of St. John

Located right next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery of St. John is a religious building that’s actually taller than the Leaning Tower. Construction of the Baptistery began in 1152 and was completed in 1363. The exterior is highly ornamental with intricately carved reliefs and is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Its unusual stacked domes and bronze John the Baptist statue make it one of the most interesting pieces of architecture in Pisa. Because the interior is very plain, it may not be worth battling the crowds to go inside. If you do, it costs 7 EUR (also included in the 27 EUR Tower Combination Ticket).

3. Check out the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

At the east end of Piazza del Duomo is the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. This building houses an art collection related to the Duomo and Baptistery. The ivory sculpture of Madonna and Child carved by Giovanni Pisano in 1299 is one of the museum’s best highlights. There’s also a cafe with an outdoor terrace that offers unobstructed views of the Leaning Tower. Admission is 7 EUR (also included in the 27 EUR Tower Combination Ticket).

4. See Piazza dei Cavalieri

Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights’ Square) was once the center of medieval Pisa and likely the site of the city’s Roman Forum. Here you can see the ornate Palazzo dei Cavalieri (Palace of the Convoy), which was once the headquarters for the Knights of St. Stephen (a Catholic military order founded in 1561). Today, it’s home to the Normale di Pisa University, a university founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810. The Palazzo dell’Orologio (Clock Palace), once the seat of the government in the Middle Ages, is now the university library.

5. Attend a local cultural event

The Gioco del Ponte (Battle on the Bridge) is a historical reenactment that occurs every summer when teams of 20 attempt to battle across the Ponte di Mezzo. It’s part of Pisan June, a series of events that take place throughout the month of June in honor of the city’s patron saint, San Renieri. Everyone dresses up in 16th-century costumes and plays out battle scenes, including the march of the troops and a “call to arms.” On June 16th, the Luminara Festival takes place, when all the lights along the river are dimmed and thousands of candles are lit. Check the local tourism office to see what other events and festivals are happening during your visit.

6. See the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina

Originally built between 1223-1230, this church is located on the Arno riverbank and is an awesome example of Gothic architecture. Its name derives from the fact that it supposedly used to hold a thorn from Jesus’s crown of thorns. The exterior is extremely ornate and covered in statues and tabernacles. The main attraction, the Madonna of the Rose by Andrea and Nino Pisano, is located inside, where there are sometimes temporary exhibits as well. It’s free to visit.

7. Check out the University of Pisa

First founded in 1343, this is one of the oldest universities in Italy and one of the most respected in Europe. The campus is beautiful, with lots of interesting architecture to admire. The oldest academic botanical garden in Europe, which dates to 1544 and is known as the Orto Botanico di Pisa, can also be found here. Admission for the garden is 4 EUR and includes access to the university’s Botanical Museum, too.

8. Get your art fix for free

Palazzo Blu (the Blue Palace) is an art and cultural center in a 14th-century mansion along the Arno River in Pisa’s historic center. It is home to over 300 works of art ranging from the 14th to 20th centuries, many created by famous Pisan artists. The Palazzo Blu has been known to host exhibits from masters like Salvador Dalí and Toulouse-Lautrec. There are also several rooms set up like the 19th-century aristocratic mansion that the building once was, as well as an exhibition dedicated to archaeology and medieval history. Admission is 3 EUR (sometimes with an additional fee for temporary exhibitions).

9. Visit the seaside

Pisa’s historic monuments get all the hype, and few visitors realize just how close the city is to the Mediterranean. For less than 4 EUR round-trip, you can take a 15-minute bus ride to the beach town of Marina di Pisa. Stick your toes in the sand, walk along the boardwalk, dine at one of the many harborfront restaurants, and watch the sunset over the water.

10. See Pisa’s most famous mural

Located on the back of the Sant’Antonio Abate church, this mural was created by pop artist Keith Haring in 1989. He regarded it as one of his most important works and was one of the last murals he completed before his death just one year later. Entitled “Tuttomondo,” which translates to “All World,” the mural’s numerous cartoon figures represent different aspects of peace and harmony. It’s one of the largest murals in all of Europe .

  For more information on other cities in Italy, check out these guides:

• Cinque Terre Travel Guide
• Florence Travel Guide
• Milan Travel Guide
• Naples Travel Guide
• Rome Travel Guide
• Sorrento Travel Guide
• Venice Travel Guide

Pisa Travel Costs

Hostel prices – For a bed in a dorm with 6-8 beds, prices range from 29-40 EUR per night. For a private room, expect to pay 75-110 EUR. Free Wi-Fi is standard but self-catering facilities and free breakfast are rare. Prices don’t fluctuate too much per season.

Budget hotel prices – Prices range from 55-75 EUR per night for a budget hotel. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, and AC. Some include free breakfast.

On Airbnb, you can find private rooms starting at 35-55 EUR per night. Entire homes/apartments cost 65-90 EUR and up per night. Expect prices to double if you don’t book early.

Average cost of food – Italian cuisine is beloved around the world, though every region in Italy offers its own distinct flavor. Tomatoes, pasta, olives, and olive oil form the backbone of most meals, with meat and fish and various cheeses rounding out the menu.

In Pisa, seafood is very popular, owing to the city’s location on the coast. Don’t miss trying fried eels, crostini toscani (chicken liver pate), and tagliatelle al tartufo (pasta with truffles).

Quick eats like pizza, paninis, and light snacks cost between 3-7 EUR. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs 7 EUR for a value meal. Chinese restaurants, where main dishes cost only 6-9 EUR, are another option for affordable eats.

Most mid-range restaurant meals with wine and an appetizer cost around 25 EUR. Expect to pay more for meals bought in touristy areas of the city. For a more casual pasta or pizza meal, expect to pay closer to 10-15 EUR. Seafood dishes start at around 15-20 EUR.

Beer costs around 4.50 EUR while a latte/cappuccino is 1.50 EUR. Bottled water is less than 1 EUR.

If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, expect to pay 50-60 EUR per week for groceries. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Pisa Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 60 EUR per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and stick to mostly free activities like seeing the Leaning Tower and taking free walking tours. If you want to enjoy a couple of drinks, add 5-10 EUR to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 135 EUR per day, you can stay in a budget hotel or private room on Airbnb, eat out for most meals, enjoy a couple of drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like climbing the Leaning Tower and visiting the museums.

On a “luxury” budget of 225 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a nicer hotel or Airbnb, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, take more taxis or rent a car, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Pisa Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Pisa is a tourist hotspot thanks to the Leaning Tower, which means it can be kind of pricey to visit — especially during the summer. However, outside the main tourist area, the city is not too expensive. Here are some ways to save money in Pisa:

• Avoid the summer – Summertime is hot, crowded, and expensive. Tourists flock to the city as they stop by on their way through Italy, so accommodations are pricier and harder to come by. Consider visiting in the shoulder season when the weather is still nice and the crowds have thinned.
• Get a combination monument ticket – No matter what attractions in Pisa you plan on seeing, you’ll save money by getting a combination ticket. You can get a ticket that includes all of the main historic sights and climbing the tower for 27 EUR, or just the sights without the tower for 10 EUR. Considering a ticket to a single attraction is 7 EUR and the tower itself is 20 EUR, if you only visit three sights, you’re already saving money.
• Pass on the bread – Some restaurants charge extra for bread or breadsticks on the table — but they won’t tell you about it until the bill comes. Send it back if you don’t want to be tempted.
• Eat cheap – Eating out every meal is expensive. Buy paninis and pizza by the slice for just a few dollars to save money. Additionally, if you’re on a tight budget, cook most of your meals. Groceries are affordable and you’ll save a ton.
• Stay with a local – Accommodation is quite expensive in Pisa so use Couchsurfing to stay with locals for free. Not only will you save money but you’ll get to connect with a local who can share their insider tips and advice!
• Go on a free walking tour – This is a great way to learn the history behind the places you are seeing and to avoid missing any must-see stops. Just be sure to tip your tour guide at the end!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Pisa

Pisa doesn’t have many hostels so be sure to book early if you want budget accommodation. Here are my recommended places to stay in Pisa:

• Safestay Pisa
• Hostel Pisa Tower
• Helvetia Pisa Tower

How to Get Around Pisa

Public transportation – Pisa is a very small city, so it’s easy to get around on foot. Most of the major attractions are within walking distance but there is a small network of buses in Pisa that can take you just about everywhere you need to go. Bus fare is 1.50 EUR for a single ticket and tickets are purchased on the bus.

Taxis – Taxis are expensive here so it’s best to avoid them. If you do take them, base rates are 3.15 EUR and then 1.52 EUR per kilometer. They add up fast so stick to the bus!

Bike rental – Pisa has lots of bike routes in and around the city. You can find bike rentals for around 15 EUR per day. E-bikes start at 34 EUR per day.

When to Go to Pisa

Peak season in Pisa is during the summer, from June to September. Although it’s very busy during these months, the weather is fantastic. There’s almost constant sunshine and the skies are clear and blue. Temperatures hover between 26-30°C (78-86°F). Expect crowds and high prices. Book early if you’re visiting during this time.

April to May is the shoulder season, and (in my opinion) this is the best time to visit. It’s warm, prices are lower, and all the sites are uncrowded. The average temperature is 18°C (64°F) per day.

Winter in Pisa is from October to March. Temperatures rarely drop below 5°C (41°F) and February can sometimes be rainy. This isn’t the best time to visit, but the city is quieter and a bit cheaper.

How to Stay Safe in Pisa

Pisa is a very safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo and even as a solo female traveler. Your biggest concern here is going to be pickpocketing, which is a common occurrence at the Leaning Tower. Keep your valuables safe and out of sight and always be vigilant, especially on public transportation as pickpockets can strike on crowded buses.

Be mindful of street vendors who sell fake items (including fake luxury goods). Vendors can be aggressive so it’s best to ignore them. You can be fined by the police for buying from illegal street vendors so simply pass them by.

While scams here are rare, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid right here.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones, so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Pisa Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• Walks of Italy – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of Italy.
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Pisa Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Italy and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

Where to Stay in Florence: The Best Neighborhoods For Your Visit

Where to Stay in Milan: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hotels in Milan

The Best Walking Tours in Florence

The 8 Best Hotels in Rome

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

• 1.1 Climate
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 2.3 By road
• 3.2 By bicycle
• 4.1 Piazza dei Miracoli
• 4.2 Piazza dei Cavalieri
• 4.3 Along the riverbank
• 4.4 Other parts of the city
• 4.5 Further away
• 8.1 Restaurants
• 8.2.1 Around the Leaning Tower
• 8.2.2 North of the bridge Ponte di Mezzo
• 8.2.3 South of the bridge Ponte di Mezzo
• 8.3 Mid-range
• 8.4 Splurge
• 8.5 Ice cream
• 8.6 Pasticceria
• 9.1.1 Coffee
• 10.1 Budget
• 10.2 Mid-range
• 10.3 Splurge
• 11 Stay safe

Pisa is a city in Tuscany , Italy , best known for its world-famous leaning tower. But the tower isn't the only thing to see – there are other architectural and artistic marvels in this beautiful city. The half-hour walk from the Campo dei Miracoli to the train station runs through a pedestrian street with many interesting sights, shops, and restaurants. The best way to visit Pisa is walking the streets, as the city centre is small and cosy, and enjoying the sight and the atmosphere.

Understand [ edit ]

Pisa would not be Pisa without the university. The city is animated by the students, who organize parties, shows, and cultural events, and fill the central street of the city at night. The University of Pisa has 60,000 students in a city of 90,000 inhabitants (200,000 in the metropolitan area). You'll notice the student flair in the city once you leave the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.

Climate [ edit ]

The climate of Pisa is something in between the one in the north and in the south of Italy.

Winters are mild: not as warm as in Catania nor as cold as in the Po Valley in the north. Temperatures almost never drop below zero. Snow is very rare.

Summers are warm, if hot, and sometimes very humid, although they are nowhere near as intolerable as in cities such as Milan , Turin and Ferrara , because they are mitigated by the wind and the sea (which is about 10 km (6.2 mi) away from the city centre). Rainfall in July and August is rare.

Spring and autumn are very pleasant, although most rainfall occurs in these seasons.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

The airport is very close to the city centre, only 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the main railway station. Transport between city and airport:

• Pisamover is a pair of automated cable-drawn trams that shuttle between the airport and Pisa Centrale railway station. They run daily from 06:00 to 00:00 at 5-8 minute intervals, taking 5 minutes. Buy tickets from the self-service machines next to the platform gates (not from Trenitalia machines or kiosks): €6.50 per person. The airport station is 200 m from the terminal. At Pisa Centrale, follow signs through the subway to Platform 13, which looks desolate, but turn right to find the Pisamover platform and ticket machines. The two trams meet at a midway station, which is the Park & Ride area of Aurelia and San Giusto.
• City buses don't reach the airport, but stop on Via Sant'Agostino, a 5-10 minute walk north. They're often a better option than Pisamover for parts of the city away from the railway station, eg the Leaning Tower area. Head towards the Pisamover station then turn right, walk under the highway bridge and bear left to come onto Via Sant'Agostino. LAM verde , the green line, pass there every 10-15 minutes, from 06:00 to 21:00 (from 07:30 Sundays). Evening buses (Line 21) stop there every 30 minutes between 21:00 and 23:00, ( online timetables ). Buy tickets from the information desk in the arrivals hall.
• Direct buses to Florence and Lucca run from outside Arrivals.
• Easy Private Taxi has Pisa Airport to the city at €36 for a Mercedes E class, €43 for a minivan
• 123 Transfers [dead link] has Pisa Airport to the city at €37.50 for a sedan (3 people), €50 for a minivan (8 people)
• Kiwitaxi [dead link] has Pisa Airport to any part of the city at €33 for a comfort-class for 4 people, €40 for a minibus for 7 people, €108 for a premium-class for 3 people.
• Walk: it's less than 2 km (1.2 mi) to the railway station, and 3 km (1.9 mi) to the leaning tower. The route is through a residential area, uninteresting but safe to walk.

By train [ edit ]

43.70793 10.39816 2 Pisa Centrale is the main railway station, just south of city centre. Rome to Genoa trains stop here; most other destinations involve changing at Florence (SMN or Rifredi) for the regional trains through Pisa Centrale to Livorno or Viareggio. There's a Left Luggage service here, open from 08:00-21:00, costing €5 for the entire day. This station is also the city terminus of the "Pisamover" tramway from the airport and Park & Ride.

To visit the area around the Leaning Tower, which is at the northwest corner of the old centre, 43.72344 10.38751 3 Pisa San Rossore station is much closer. It's on the branch line from Pisa Centrale to Lucca and Pistoia, with trains at least hourly.

By road [ edit ]

Flixbus run direct between Pisa and Milan, Genoa and Rome. Don't use them for Florence, as the pick-up / drop-off is way out on the western edge of Florence.

With your own car, Pisa is easy to reach by autostrada, but city parking is the problem.

Get around [ edit ]

In the city centre, just walk.

By bus [ edit ]

The LAM or city buses run frequently to 18:00 then sparsely to 23:00. The most useful route is LAM Rossa , the red line, between railway station, riverside (stop Lungarno Pacinotti 2 ) and Leaning Tower (stop Piazza dei Miracoli ). LAM Verde runs near the airport.

Tickets for both LAM and out-of-town buses are €1.50 single, a pack of ten is €14. Single tickets can also be purchased from the bus driver for €2.50. Tickets must be validated on boarding the bus; they are then valid for 70 minutes.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Pisa has a public bicycle service called Ciclopi which allows travellers pick up and drop cycles to and from 15 points around the city. They have a mobile app Bicincittà , but the only way to register is to come in person to their point of sales: INFOPOINT piazza del Duomo 7 (in front of the Cathedral), every day 09.30 - 17.30; LA GALLERIA DEL DISCO via San Francesco 96, every day 09.00 - 20.00; SOLFERINO TABACCHI piazza Solferino 11, from Monday to Saturday 08.00 - 13.00 and 15.30-20.00. Possible subscriptions:

• Daily : €5, including €1 of credit.
• Weekly : €10, including €2 of credit.

Subscriptions include unlimited free rides up to 30 minutes. And then €0.9 for the second half hour, €1.5 for the third half hour, €2 for all subsequent half hours.

By car [ edit ]

Not in the city centre: many streets are either pedestrianised or restricted to residents (ZTL, Zone a traffico limitato , camera-enforced but easy to stray into accidentally). Those streets that you can drive into are narrow, one-way, congested, and with next-to-no parking. Ask ahead at your accommodation for parking and permitted approach routes. For day-trips, Pisa Tower Parking is €1.80 per hour and close to the main sights.

You do however need a car to explore the villages in the hills of Tuscany. Consider hiring from the airport and either picking up late or dropping back early there, and just use public transport for Pisa, Lucca and Florence.

Taxis can be an expensive way to move around the city. They aren’t really needed in the center due to the size of Pisa, but if you are arriving at the airport and don’t want to walk they are a good option. If going to anywhere near the train station they would only be better than the Pisamover costwise if you are travelling in a group of 3 or more people.

The legal fares can be found on the CoTaPi website [dead link] .

See [ edit ]

Pisa is divided into 4 historical quarters. There is much more than the leaning tower in the city and several different walking itineraries are available.

Piazza dei Miracoli [ edit ]

The Piazza dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles is to the North of central Pisa. It is an UNESCO World Heritage site and contains the city's most famous sights:

• A 3 km (1.9 mi) walking tour along the city walls is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is an occasion to see the city, including the leaning tower and Campo dei Miracoli, from an unusual angle. They offer a great view over public and private buildings around the city, as well as many unexpected green areas. There are four entrances: one in Campo dei Miracoli, one next to a university campus near via Filippo Buonarroti, one in Piazza delle Gondole, and one in Piazza del Rosso, hidden behind a tiny gate. Bring water and sunscreen on sunny days, since there is not the tiniest bit of shadow along the whole tour. Open every day, 09:00-19:00 in the summer season. Tickets cost €3 (May 2019).

Piazza dei Cavalieri [ edit ]

• Other historical buildings include the Church of San Rocco , the Rectory , Palazzo Carovana and Palazzo dei Dodici .

Along the riverbank [ edit ]

Lungarno Mediceo and Lungarno Pacinotti on the Northern side of the Arno river, Lungarno Galilei and Lungarno Gambacorti on the south side: these riverside streets give a distinctive character to Pisa, especially at night when the lamplight reflects on the Arno river. Along the Lungarni stand interesting sights like:

• 43.71644 10.40223 14 Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza XX Settembre . Two opposing town square, one at each end of Ponte di Mezzo (middle bridge), and are considered the centre of the city. From Piazza Garibaldi starts Borgo Stretto, an old street with lots of shops that, together with Corso Italia starting in the opposite direction from Piazza XX Settembre, create a pedestrian area (interrupted only by the bridge) that is considered the centre of the city. In Piazza XX Settembre you can find the Logge dei Banchi, a building created to host textile market in 1600, and the town hall, in the Palazzo del Comune.  

Other parts of the city [ edit ]

• Fine Romanesque churches , San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno, San Michele in Borgo, San Paolo with a sculpture gallery inside, Sant'Andrea - not all are open every day; double-check the hours if you want to visit.

Further away [ edit ]

Do [ edit ]

• Take a photo of yourself holding, leaning against, or "anthropologically appropriating" the leaning tower of Pisa.
• Take a stroll along the central shopping roads of the city, Corso Italia and Borgo Stretto, both pedestrian-only.
• Enjoy an aperitivo (evening drink with a light dinner buffet) in one of the many bars and pubs that offer it, around Piazza Gambacorti, Piazza delle Vettovaglie o Via delle Case Dipinte.
• Football: Pisa SC play soccer in Serie B, Italy's second tier. Their home ground is Arena Garibaldi (capacity 25,000) just north of the historic centre.

Events [ edit ]

• On June 16th Pisa hosts the Luminara festival, held for the patron saint's day (San Ranieri). At sunset, all the lights along the Arno are dimmed and more than 10,000 candles are lit, which makes for some spectacular sights from the Ponte di Mezzo. Various activities are organized in the streets and the night ends with a big firework show.
• Another summer attraction is the Gioco del Ponte (Game of the Bridge), a historical event held yearly on the last Sunday of June. The two sides of the city ( Tramontana and Mezzogiorno , geographically split by the Arno river) participate in a historical parade, with 709 walk-ons, then challenge each other to a physical match in which their teams, each composed of 20 members, try to conquer the "Ponte di Mezzo" (the main bridge in Pisa) by pushing a trolley in order to force the rival team off the bridge. The parade is very colorful and can be enjoyed for free from anywhere along the river; on the other hand the Gioco itself is hard to see unless you get a ticket in advance to sit in the stands, and it is quite boring for outsiders, as some of the 7 'battles' can last more than 20 minutes. It is better to sit down at a bar and watch it from a TV screen.
• On March 25, a smaller historical parade takes place, to celebrate the traditional Pisan new year .
• Festival Internazionale di Musica Sacra - International Sacred Music Festival "Anima Mundi" takes place for two weeks in September of each year. This event, organized since 2001, is one of the most important of its kind, both at the national and international level.

Spas [ edit ]

• Casciana Terme . The thermal water has been used at Casciana Terme since ancient times. Its applications have been extended to modern rehabilitation therapies, cardiovascular and respiratory treatment, in the improvement of the digestive functions and their treatment, because its natural, relaxing action enables patients to regain their functional equilibrium and the enjoyment of pleasures they had lost.  
• San Giuliano Terme . Water with beneficial effects and calciferous magnesic sulfate water, naturally rich in vital curative elements, gush forth at the foot of Mount San Giuliano at the Spa out of different springs and are gathered in two groups called the "East Baths" (40°C) and the "West Baths" (38°C).  

Learn [ edit ]

• Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa ( Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna ), P.zza Martiri della Libertà, 33 . Special-statute public university, emerging from Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa and operating in the field of applied sciences. ( updated Aug 2018 )
• Scuola Normale ( Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa ), Piazza dei Cavalieri, 7 . Another special-statute public university, founded in 1810, by a Napoleonic decree as a branch of the École Normale Supérieure of Paris. Recognized as a "national university" in 1862, one year after Italian unification. ( updated Aug 2018 )

Buy [ edit ]

The central shopping area is centered around the Corso Italia , between the railway station and the Ponte di Mezzo (the central bridge) and also in the Via Borgo Stretto , north of the bridge. However, many specialized shops are sprinkled around the city.

The area around the leaning tower is geared toward tourists: There are lots of small souvenir kiosks, stands and "flying merchants", selling all kinds of souvenirs from small statues to hourglasses - of course the general motif is the leaning tower.

It is illegal to buy from one of the "flying merchants" that sell fake replicas. They are very persuasive and if you buy anything you must haggle – they'll drop their prices significantly.

Every two weeks there is a street market with antique books, records and old household items.

And don't forget to try some of Pisa's famous biscotti (biscuits or cookies). Bakeries all through town will sell multiple varieties, for a low price.

For the budget option, if coming from the Airport, there is a Coop supermarket on the left, on Via Pasquale Pardi.

Eat [ edit ]

Pasta and pizza are among the tourists' favorites like everywhere in Italy, but Tuscan and Pisan cuisine has more to offer: several kinds of soups made with bread (for instance, pappa al pomodoro , or kale-based bordatino ), meat dishes ( chianina and mucco pisano are renowned beef breeds; game such as boar or hare can be found in various restaurants), and cold cuts. The traditional street food is cecina , a chickpea flour pancake, served inside focaccia with a sprinkle of pepper.

Traditional Tuscan bread is without salt ( pane sciocco ); this surprises most visitors.

As for alcoholic beverages, Tuscany is renowned for red wine ( Chianti , Brunello , Morellino ) but nowadays many establishments also offer a good selection of local craft beers.

If you have access to transport, an alternative to eating in Pisa is to take the relatively short drive to Marina di Pisa , the harbor of Pisa at the Mediterranean sea some 15 km (9.3 mi) from central Pisa. Just follow the SS224 road west on the south side of River Arno and you are there in 20 minutes. There are several restaurants by the seafront, and having your dinner here, outside and when the sun sets in the west, is a rewarding experience. Parking and tables may be out if you arrive late, so check the opening hours (many restaurants do not open until around 19:00) and be there early. Even better, spend an hour or two just walking along the beach before the restaurants open. Try Roca de Mar .

Restaurants [ edit ]

As a general rule, try not to eat directly at the Leaning Tower where prices are high and quality low. Walk 200 m south on the street Via Santa Maria . The restaurant Ristoro Pecorino and from there the restaurants southwards on Via Santa Maria are very good. Head further to the central area (5-10 minutes walking) and you can find more very good restaurants there. For example, there are excellent, friendly and reasonably priced cafeterias in the area of the busy small vegetable market, Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Also Via San Martino, close to the South bank of the river, offers some inexpensive places with good quality. (updated Sept 2022)

Budget [ edit ]

Around the leaning tower [ edit ].

The first three of the following restaurants are right next to each other:

• 43.722131 10.401674 1 Pizzeria Le Mura , Largo Parlascio, 34 . Really good pizza, focaccia and lunch all around. The pizza is absolutely delicious, the portion is huge and the crust is crispy and thick at the same time. There can be a bit of a wait but it’s worth it. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.721969 10.401937 2 Al Bagno di Nerone , Largo Parlascio, 26 . Very good pizza. Accurate and fast service. Fabulous Cecina. Mainly locals came to eat. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.721657 10.402175 3 Mr. Sgabeo , Via Carlo Fedeli, 2 . Fantastic sgabeo. Amazing sandwiches, incredible bread and delicious ingredients. Unique place for the variety and quality. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.720168 10.397416 4 L'Ostellino , Piazza Felice Cavallotti, 1 . Very nice sandwich with fresh ingredients. Truly authentic. Fast service, quality ingredients. ( updated Aug 2022 )

North of the bridge Ponte di Mezzo [ edit ]

• 43.718132 10.401593 5 Il Montino , Via del Monte . Great place to get fine pizza by the slice, cecina , and excellent focaccine . You can eat there or grab your food to go. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.716609 10.402123 6 La Ghiotteria , Vicolo delle Donzelle, 9/11 ( basically at Piazza Garibaldi ). Students' favorite pasta spot. Huge portions for cheap prices. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.719737 10.404533 7 Bar Pizzeria Moonlight , Via S. Lorenzo, 52 . Just a few meters off the main tourist route, a small pizzeria mainly serving lunch to locals. Small but good selection of daily lunch dishes, from classical pasta to summer time favorites such as swordfish. Large selection of pizza, including a couple of signature dishes - try out Pizza "lui e lei" (him and her). ( updated Jul 2022 )
• 43.71822 10.399133 8 Gramigna , Piazza San Felice di Nola 5 , ☏ +39 050 893 2140 . W-M 19:00-01:00 . Local pub that pairs home-made burgers and local craft beers at very competitive prices. Around €10 for a burger and a beer (June 2018) . ( updated Jul 2022 )

South of the bridge Ponte di Mezzo [ edit ]

• 43.713867 10.401269 9 Numeroundici , Via S. Martino, 47 , ☏ +39 050 27282 . M-Sa 12:00-22:30, closed Sa at lunchtime . Generous portions in an informal setting. €10-20 (June 2018) . ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.713855 10.40301 10 Al Madina , Via S. Martino, 41/45 , ☏ +39 050 20409 . Tu-Su 11:30-15:00, 19:00-23:30, closed Su at lunch . Lebanese and Syrian kitchen. Serves a small selection of dishes made freshly. both classics (Shawarma, Kebap, Falafel, Baba Ghannug) and more elaborate dishes. Vegetarian options. Their excellent home-made Hummus and bread is a save-the-day for vegan travellers. The seating is informal, just as in the neighbouring Numero 11. €15 (June 2018) . ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.714704 10.400566 11 La Taverna di Pulcinella , Via Garofani, 10 . Great pizzas, they make them in front of you. Very kind personal, high quality ingredients. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.712565 10.399995 12 Pizzeria da Nando , Corso Italia, 103 . Nice tomato sauce, very good mozzarella. Lots of locals. Delicious cecina, quality ingredients and very nice owners! ( updated Aug 2022 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 43.709907 10.399981 13 La Lupa Ghiotta , Viale Francesco Bonaini, 113 ( from the station walk towards Piazza Vittorio Emmanuele, than turn right in Viale Francesco Bonaini ), ☏ +39 050 21018 . Has very good food in a cozy environment. ( updated Apr 2022 )
• 43.71421 10.4008 14 NamasteIndia Ristorante ( NamasteIndia Ristorante Indiano ), Via S.Bernardo, 34 ( Crossing Street to Corso Italia ), ☏ +39 333 7546356 . 13:00-01:00 . Authentic typical Indian food. 5 minute walk from railway station. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.717494 10.402764 15 Osteria di Culegna , Via Mercanti (on the main road) . Good food and research of the Tuscan typical recipes, nice and smiley service. Closed on Sunday. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.718212 10.399923 16 Pizzeria Tavola Calda La Tana , V. San Frediano . 12:00-15:00 and 19:00 onwards . This is a restaurant frequented by locals. The food is good and reasonably priced compared to other restaurants in Pisa. Staff welcome all the locals and pamper the tourists. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.717822 10.399585 17 Pizzeria L'Arancio , Via l'Arancio 1 , ☏ +39 0505 007 29 , [email protected] . M-Sa 12:00-15:30, 19:00-22:00 . Affordable pizzeria which also serves good foccacia. Relaxed student-like atmosphere. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.723355 10.402085 18 Pizzeria Il Fornaccio , Via Luigi Bianchi, 33 ( Just outside the city walls. ). A pizzeria just outside the walls. Pizza is very good and the appetizers (antipasti) possibly even better. Very affordable. Authentic informal Italian pizzeria atmosphere. The place is not very big and popular with locals late in the evening, so it is best to arrive early (before 20:00) or reserve a table, especially during week-ends. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.718408 10.395389 19 Ristorante India , Via Roma, 52 . A good Indian restaurant near the Leaning Tower with a beautiful atmosphere and really good dishes. ( updated Aug 2022 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• La Mescita , Via Cavalca, very close to Piazza delle Vettovaglie. An expensive but very good choice. They serve both traditional and more sophisticated food.
• Osteria dei Cavalieri , Via San Frediano. close to Piazza dei Cavalieri . Quite expensive but very good. You can find typical and traditional recipes from Tuscany.
• Ristorante La Buca , Excellent fish dishes. Good quality - price ratio.

Ice cream [ edit ]

Ice cream is not just a refreshing dessert on hot days, it's an art and a style of life. The ice-cream shops listed below all have their own style and philosophy on ice-cream. They use only seasonal ingredients. You'd be surprised on the variety of tastes and sensations. And the best: prices are stable around €2-2.50 for two scoops, independent of where you go.

• 43.716697 10.398391 20 Gelateria Naturale Artigianale De' Coltelli , Lungarno Antonio Pacinotti, 23 , ☏ +39 34 54811903 . 11:30–22:30 (23:30 on F and Sa), closed in the winter . Ice cream made using quality ingredients, many of which are locally sourced. ( updated Jun 2018 )
• Artisan Gelateria Rufus, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 25. All ingredients are local and organic.

Pasticceria [ edit ]

• Dolce Notte Cornetteria Via S. Bernardo, 41. Not really a fine pasticceria, but the trendy spot to fill up your reserves when you're hopping from one bar to the other late at night. Their maxi-cornetto with up to 3 fillings of your choice will make you fit for dancing through the night.
• Pasticceria Da Tripoli , Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 53 (at the end of Borgo Stretto to the left). Very traditional pasticceria with typical cookies and pasties. A local's favorite. Moderate prices. Closed on Mondays.
• Pasticceria Cioccoroccolato , Via Buonarroti. A bit off the regular tourist route. French-inspired modern pasticceria with amazing creations, combining Italian classics and international sweets. Varying selection to surprise their loyal local customers, who visit them both for their morning coffee and a truly masterful elaborate signature coffee in the afternoon. Closed on Sundays.
• Salza , in Borgo Stretto, high prices but good chocolate, sweets and pastries of all kinds. Don't sit down inside, though, because you will end up paying €10 for two coffees.

Drink [ edit ]

During summer nights, everybody stays around the banks of the rivers, sipping drinks bought from the several bars in the area. A few very good wine bars are also available for colder, winter nights.

• 43.71771 10.401058 1 Orzo Bruno , Via Case Dipinte 6/8 ( A bit tricky to find but worth it ), ☏ +39 050 578802 . Su-Th 19:00-01:00, F Sa 19:00-02:00 . Artisan organic beer and organic food. €4.5 for a pint, €4-8 for food .  
• Bar Mocambo , Via S. Bernardo, 29. Cozy cocktail bar with a vast selection of drinks. Outstanding signature cocktails. Serves more than 100 kinds of rum from all over the world, often paired with treats such as specialty chocolate. Ask the bartender to help you choose!
• Pisa Caffè dell'Ussero , Lungarno Pacinotti, 27 . It is a monument to Italian culture in the 1400s Palazzo Agostini, on Lungarno. Its walls are covered with glorious mementos from its most famous visitors of the Risorgimento when they were students: Carlo Goldoni, Gacomo Casanova, Vittorio Alfieri, Filippo Mazzei, John Ruskin, Domenico Guerrazzi, Giuseppe Giusti, Renato Fucini, Giosuè Carducci, Cesare Abba, Giuseppe Montanelli. In 1839, it was seat of the meetings of the first Italian Congress of Scientists.  
• Vineria di Piazza , Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Serves great wine and very few dishes. You can find very traditional food here.

Nightlife [ edit ]

For nightlife , there aren't many clubs or live music places in Pisa: the usual night in Pisa is having a dinner of pizza or a cheap kebab, a beer in Borgo Stretto, Piazza delle Vettovaglie, Piazza Gambacorti or a pub in the surrounding areas, and a walk in Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza dei Cavalieri or the Lungarni, where the spallette (the low brick walls around the river) are full of students.

Some alternative clubs in the centre where you can find live music are:

• Ex-Wide (jazz/swing)
• Borderline (rock/metal; closed June to September, when they move to an alternative location on the seaside at Eliopoli/Calambrone).
• Lumiere (dance/electronic)

Less alternative clubs are found at the seaside, about 8 km (5.0 mi) from Pisa, in Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia. For instance

• Pappafico (a disco with house music and the like)
• PIA (a disco/bar on the sea)
• Sunset (mainly an aperitivo/happy hour/chill-out location on the sea)

Outside the city centre but reachable on foot, in the north-eastern outskirts of the city, is

• Deposito Pontecorvo (a small disco)

Coffee [ edit ]

• [dead link] Babette ( food and art café ), Lungarno Mediceo 15 , ☏ +39 050 9913302 . The place has a strong personality; you can tell it's owned by art and culture lovers. You can pick up a book and read while having a glass of wine or a cup of hot chocolate, or even have a meal. Sometimes concerts take place in this café, and there are also evenings dedicated to special themes.  
• Ritz , Borgo Stretto . Good coffee, fine service and the best dressed baristas. They also sell French wine, including champagne.  

Sleep [ edit ]

The Pisa hills were already a popular destination for enlightened travellers in the first half of the 1700s, due mostly to the popularity of the thermal spa of San Giuliano, which quickly became a fashionable spot for the upper classes. The mansions on the road along the hills, already renowned as places of idleness and relaxation in the heart of the countryside, soon assumed the characteristics of true leisure resorts, just like those narrated by Carlo Goldoni. Stay at Bagni di Pisa ('health-giving' waters are still offered to an international clientele) and then visit Pisa during one of the city’s festivals, staying at the Agostini Palace to enjoy the best view of the festivities. The Villa has hosted many illustrious guests such as Gustavus III of Sweden, Christian II of Denmark, the Royal Family of Great Britain, Benedict Stuart Cardinal of York, General Murat, Luigi Buonaparte, Paolina Borghese, Carlo Alberto of Savoy, the poets Byron and Shelley, and various other personages from the history books.

• 43.70717 43.70717 1 Hostel Pisa , via Corridoni, 29 ( Pisa airport ), ☏ +39 050 520 1841 . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 23:00 . FA youth hostel with dorm beds and private rooms. Walking distance from Pisa train central station and Pisa International Airport, 24-hr reception. Free Wifi. Laundry, kitchen, street parking (free from 20:00-08:00), dining room in-door & out-door, guest lounge, theatre, TV room. From €17 .  
• Pisa Tower Hostel , Piazza Garibaldi, 9 , ☏ +39 33 1788 6859 . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 10:30 . Free internet and kitchen. From €15 .  
• Airone Pisa Park Hotel , Via Sant'Elena Asciano, 4 , San Giuliano Terme ( 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of city, road is poor ), ☏ +39 050 822 284 , [email protected] . Countryside 3-star with outdoor swimming pool, free internet access, restaurant, bar, English cable TV, bicycle, free car parking and family rooms. From €50 . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• Athena , Via Risorgimento 42 , ☏ +39 050 550 887 . Small hotel with 12 rooms. From €60 . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• Eden Park Resort Pisa , Via dell'Argine, 6b, Colignola ( 4 km (2.5 mi) east of city, take SP2 towards Mezzana ), ☏ +39 050 870 252 . A resort in the Tuscan countryside near the banks of the Arno river. 30 cottages surrounded by mountains, valleys and picturesque historical villages. Doubles from €60 . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• Hotel Francesco , Via Santa Maria, 129 , ☏ +39 050 555 453 , fax : +39 050 386 9998 , [email protected] . Near the tower, rooms with private bathrooms. Doubles from €80 . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• Michele Guest House B&B , Via Amerigo Vespucci 103 ( next to rwy station ), ☏ +39 33 3601 1287 , [email protected] . Six rooms with private bathroom and shower, fully furnished, A/C, LCD TV, free internet access, coffee machine. Consistently clean and welcoming. Doubles €80-120 . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• NH Pisa , Piazza della Stazione 2 , ☏ +39 050 43 290 , fax : +39 050 502 242 . Rooms are modern with good views. Doubles from €100 . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• San Ranieri Hotel , Via Mazzei, 2 ( Cisanello, near hospital ), ☏ +39 050 971 951 , [email protected] . 4-star hotel, some rooms have sky view, all rooms have WiFi. There are also a restaurant, ample parking space and conference facilities. Doubles from €90 . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• Villa Kinzica ( The Pelican ), Piazza Arcivescovado 2 ( in the centre ), ☏ +39 050 560419 , fax : +39 050 551 204 . 3-star with en suite single, double, and triple rooms, great location. Doubles from €70 . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• 43.72279 10.39897 3 NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Bed and Breakfast ARISTON , Via Cardinale Maffi, 21 ( just behind the Piazza dei Miracoli ), ☏ +39 335 5794968 , [email protected] . Bed and Breakfast. €65 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 43.720718 10.399184 4 Hotel Relais dell' Orologio , Via della Faggiola 12/14 56127 ( central ), ☏ +39 050 830 361 , fax : +39 050 551 869 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Converted townhouse with an annexe, mostly en suite doubles with a small number of singles and family rooms, pleasant communal areas, main selling point is proximity to the tower. 5-star going on 3, gets very mixed reviews. Doubles from €125 . ( updated Oct 2018 )

Stay safe [ edit ]

Pisa is a safe city. You do not need to worry about your safety (except in some zones at night, such as the area surrounding the station). However, you should take the obvious precautions (like, if you stay in a very cheap hotel, take your valuables with you) and watch out for pickpockets in the touristy areas.

As stated in the Buy section, avoid purchasing sunglasses, umbrellas, and other trinkets from illegal sellers. Definitely steer clear of counterfeit luxury goods. Upon arriving to Pisa, it is not uncommon for tourists to be swarmed by African vendors. Some vendors can be pushy or even downright aggressive. Even saying "no thank you" can bring unwanted attention. It's much better to ignore them entirely. Don't worry about being rude.

Even though cheap prices are tempting, especially when travelling on a budget, the Italian police have fined tourists for buying from illegal sellers. These fines can be very steep (up to €1,000). In front of the Tower, there are several legal vendors who have permits to sell items to tourists or anyone else. Be responsible and buy from them. Legal vendors have stalls lined along the main road whereas illegal vendors keep merchandise in a sack, cardboard boxes, or (in the case of fake purses) on their arms.

Connect [ edit ]

As of June 2022, Pisa has 4G from Iliad, Tim and Vodafone, and 5G from Wind Tre.

Go next [ edit ]

• Lucca . You can travel by train to this beautiful nearby city.
• Florence . Very easily reachable by train from Pisa Centrale.
• Cinque Terre by train to La Spezia and Genova .
• Volterra by bus.
• Calci is very easily reachable by bus. A charming medieval village nestled in the Pisan Mountains. The baroque Charterhouse and the Museum of Natural History (home to the largest collection of whale bones in Europe) are among its attractions.

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Pisa

With a wonky tower that firmly put this small city on the map, Pisa is everything you would expect from a location in the Italian region of Tuscany. Everywhere you look, the charming architecture of days gone by is enchanting.

Vespa’s zoom down narrow streets and locals drink their morning Espressos on outdoor tables outside characterful cafes. The famed leaning tower of Pisa is a tourist hotspot, where you’ll spot ambitious visitors attempting to get the perfect Instagram selfie of themselves pushing back the tower.

Pisa is also famed for being the home of Galileo Galilei, credited as being the father of modern physics. There are plenty of great reasons to visit this amazing Italian city. In this ultimate guide to Pisa, we will show you everything you need to know in order to plan your visit to Pisa.

Our guide includes what to do, where to say, what food to indulge in and plenty of helpful travel tips for your trip to Pisa.

This ultimate travel guide to Pisa will show you all the most beautiful places in Pisa, what to expect when visiting, where to stay in Pisa and things to do in Pisa which will help you in planning a trip to Pisa.

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Table of Contents

How to get to Pisa

Pisa is easy to reach, being a well-connected city in Italy. The city has its own airport, and by bus, you can reach the center in roughly 5 minutes.

Pisa Central railway station connects the city to important train routes throughout the country, making traveling to and from here easy.

There are also various bus services that have affordable routes to Pisa from across both Italy and also from other European destinations.

What to expect in Pisa

In Pisa, Italian is the spoken language. As the city is a very popular tourist destination, English is well spoken and understood too.

Similar to many other European destinations, you will find the currency in Pisa is the Euro . ATM’s are widely available throughout the city, and credit cards are often accepted at both restaurants and hotels.

At restaurants, most locals do not leave a tip, but it is common for visitors to leave 10 to 15 percent if a service charge is not included. At cafes, it is encouraged to ‘leave a coin’ if you had your coffee at the counter, or tip 10 percent if you had a table.

When taking a taxi in Pisa, it is suggested you round up your fair to the nearest whole euro.

How to get around Pisa

As Pisa is a relatively small city, getting around is often quick and easy. Walking is a great way to see the sights and experience the ambiance of the city.

As an example, it takes just 20 minutes to get from the main train station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

There is a local bus service that operates in Pisa. Like other bus services across Italy, it is important to note that you will need to buy your ticket from a ticket office or newsstand before boarding the bus.

Similar to many popular tourist destinations, in Pisa, you will find a Hop on Hop Off Bus. You can purchase a 24-hour ticket which will give you unlimited access to the buses two routes, and a total of 15 stops.

The best time to visit Pisa

In order to avoid the crowds at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it is worth visiting the city outside the main tourist season. Instead, look to visit Pisa between April and June, or September and October.

You will find the weather to be relatively good, but the city will be much less crowded than it is in the main summer months of July and August.

For an extra special event, in June each year, Pisa holds the Luminara San Ranieri . Over two days, this annual festival lights up Pisa with over 70,000 candle lanterns.

Things to do in Pisa

Leaning tower of pisa.

Of course, the Leaning Tower Of Pisa is one of the highlights when it comes to things to do in Pisa. This freestanding bell tower has pretty much become the icon of the city, known worldwide for its dramatic lean.

The tower took roughly 344 years to build, and just a few years into its construction one side began sinking into the soft ground, hence it’s lean.

Tickets to visit the tower can be purchased online until the day before you plan on visiting. Buying your ticket online will also help you avoid the long lines.

Keep in mind you are only allotted 30 minutes to climb to the top of the tower, enjoy the great views of Pisa, and clamber back down the 294 steps again. The entry cost of the leaning tower of Pisa is roughly 32.45 Euros.

The tower is located in the cities main square, the Piazza dei Miracoli, where Pisa’s other main sites such as the cathedral of Pisa, The Baptistery and, Camposanto Monumentale are all also located.

The Baptistery

Dedicated to St John the Baptist, the Baptistery is the largest of its kind in Italy, and a must see in Pisa.

Its construction began in the 12th century, replacing an older baptisery that was once here. This is also where Galileo Galilei was baptized in 1564.

Camposanto Monumentale

One of 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites found throughout Tuscany, the Camposanto Monumentale houses sunning frescoes from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

This cemetery is both a beautiful example of Gothic architecture and a historically important site in central Pisa. The Camposanto Monumentale is, therefore, a must visit site when visiting Pisa.

Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta

With strong influences from the Byzantium period, the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta represents the past wealth of the city of Pisa. Like the leaning tower, the cathedral has also notably sunken into the ground.

Museo Nazionale of San Matteo

Full of works taken from the historic building found around Pisa, the national museum of San Matteo grants visitors a look into the array of historic art from the city. Here you will find antique paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.

Santa Maria della Spina

This small Pisan Gothic church has recently been restored and open to the public. Fascinatingly, the name of this church actually comes from the reliquary the church acquired in 1333, containing a thorn from Jesus’ crown.

Piazza dei Cavalieri

The Piazza dei Cavalieri, also known as Knights Square, is the second main square of Pisa. This was the medieval political center of the city.

Later, it became the base of the Order of the Knights of Saint Stephen. Nowadays, it is home to Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, a university founded by Napolean.

Shopping in Borgo Stretto and Corso Italia

For shopping in Pisa, Boro Stretto and Corso Italia are the two best areas of the city. Both these streets are bustling with gelateria’s, cafes and various stores selling all kinds of goods.

These are both great places to take a leisurely stroll. Here, you’ll also find lots of great places to eat when in Pisa.  Window shopping in both of these areas is also a great free thing to do in Pisa.

Verdi theatre

Be wowed by the spectacular interior of the historic Verdi Theatre in Pisa. As well as being extremely aesthetically pleasing, the theatre still hosts many performances, including concerts and Opera.

Tuttomondo Mural

You may think it unusual to find a piece by an American muralist in the heart of Pisa, but this is exactly what you will discover. This creation happened by chance after artist Keith Haring met a Pisan student on the streets of New York.

That chance meeting led to this bright puzzle like mural, created to represent world peace, on the church of Saint Anthony in the center of the city.

What to eat in Pisa

Pisa has taken traditional Tuscan cooking, and put its own hyperlocal spin on it, creating some flavors very unique to the city.

You’ll find the cities staple ingredients are game meat, foods from the sea and the river, and many simple vegetables. Below you will find out more about what you should eat when visiting Pisa . Life doesn’t get much better than when it involves authentically cooked, local Italian food.

Hearty Soups – Pisan’s love to eat frog, and frog soup is a popular local dish. Another soup eaten widely in Pisa is made from San Michele White Beans.

Pisan Pesto – Unlike its popular Genoese counterpart, Pisan Pesto also includes pine kernels. Make sure to try it while in Pisa. It’s especially good with spaghetti.

Meat and seafood – Game meat is a popular main in Pisa. Particular favorites are pheasant meat, rabbit and wild boar. Fish is also a big staple of the Pisan diet.

Try grilled grey mullet, Mediterranean spiderfish or sweet and sour cod. A local dish that is seafood based is Spaghetti o tagliolini, a pasta meal that has river clams.

Torta co’ Bischeri – This is a dessert dish that is a particular local specialty. This pastry is a tart made with rice, pinenuts, chocolate pieces, candied fruit, spices, raisins, and maraschino liqueur. This is the traditional ‘cake’ of Pisa.

Where to stay in Pisa

The Santa Maria neighborhood is a great place to stay when visiting Pisa. This neighborhood is both central and quiet.

All of the cities historical sights are easily accessed from here, making it a great base for avid sightseers. In the cobbled streets of this neighborhood, you’ll also find little bars, quaint boutiques, and tasty restaurants.

Another great part of the city to stay in is Sant’ Antonio. Its close proximity to the central station is great for anyone coming with a lot of luggage or arriving late at night or early in the morning.

This neighborhood is also close to Pisa’s main shopping areas. Airbnb is a great option for short and long stays.

Tours to do in Pisa

Pasta making class.

Leave Pisa with more than just memories with this immersive class teaching you the secrets of the Italian craft of pasta making.

The best part about this experience is your lesson is taught by local resident Cesarina , who will guide you through the recipes of three of the regions authentic and delicious pasta dishes.

Guided walking tour of Pisa

Taking a walking tour will allow you to see the sights, whilst learning all about their history and significance. You’ll be lead by a knowledgeable local guide, who will be full of hints and tips to help you see the best of the city.

• Pisa Food Tour

Explore the city with a local guide , who will help you eat your way through the tastiest cuisine Pisa has to offer.

Not only will your taste buds be delighted as you explore the wonders of Tuscan cooking, but your guide will also teach you all about the culture and history behind each dish, adding an extra layer onto your culinary experience. 

• Pisa Segway Tour

Zip around the city on a segway in a tour that combines historic sightseeing with epic fun. Over three hours, you’ll glide around, taking in all of Pisa’s top sights, such as Piazza dei Miracoli and Sapienza Palace.

Winery tour

One of the best things about Italy is its wine, its so good it can make grown men cry. Get a taste of some of Tuscany’s best wines by taking part in a guided wine tour .

Day trips from Pisa

Cinque terre tour.

The colourfull and dramatic coastal villages of Cinque Terre are picture perfect, after all, they are famed for their beauty and charm.

Take a day trip from Pisa to the coast and experience the magic of Cinque Terre for yourself. The best thing is Cinque Terre can be reached from Pisa by train in roughly an hour an a half. Alternatively, you can always take part in a day tour leaving from Pisa.

Visit the villages of Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Monterosso, and Manarola, all of which are perfect places to explore. Whilst there, enjoy a swim in the piercing blue sea or try a taste of limoncino, a popular local lemon liquor.

When in Tuscany, why not visit Siena? You can reach Siena from Pisa in under 2 hours by train. Many have referred to Siena as Italy’s loveliest medieval city, and it’s easy to see why.

The grand Piazza Del Campo, or the main square, is at the very heart of the city. Away from this unique shell-shaped plaza, there are plenty more historic sights to see, including the Torre del Mangia and the Duomo of Siena.

Another incredible Tuscan city to visit is Luca. Taking a day trip from Pisa is quick and simple. There are great transport links between the two, which are only 17KM apart, meaning you can reach Luca in 30 minutes by train or bus.

The city sits on the banks of the Serchio river, but what it is most well known for is the well-preserved renaissance walls that run around the city.

Due to the incredible amount of religious structures found in Luca, the city has earned itself the nickname the city of a hundred churches.

Make sure to visit Lucca Cathedral, San Michele in Foro and Guinigi Tower during your visit.

Home to many artistic gems of the Renaissance period, Florence is the capital of the entire region of Tuscany, and well worth a visit from nearby Pisa.

By train, it only takes around 1 hour to reach Florence from Pisa. That’ll leave you with plenty of time left to sightsee and explore.

One of the highlights of Florence is its stunning dome topped cathedral, which towers over the city. For art lovers, Florence houses work from artistic greats such as Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Recommend tours in Pisa

• Cinque Terre Tour by Minivan from Pisa
• Pisa Off-The-Beaten-Path 2-Hour Small-Group Walking Tour
• Small Group Pisa Day Trip to Siena and San Gimignano by Minivan Including Wine Tasting
• Skip-the-line Leaning Tower of Pisa Guided Small-Group Tour
• Lucca Barga and Garfagnana Hills Full-Day Trip by Minivan from Pisa
• Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan’s Hills from Pisa
• Monumental Complex of Pisa Cathedral Square
• Leaning Tower of Pisa Entry Ticket
• Best of Pisa Guided Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Entry Ticket
• Private pasta-making class at a Cesarina’s home with tasting in Pisa
• Local market visit and private cooking class at a Cesarina’s home in Pisa
• Night Tour of Pisa Must-see Sites with Local Guide

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Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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Pisa travel guide — the fullest pisa tourist guide & pisa travel blog for first-timers.

Pisa is one of Italy’s most famous tourist cities. The Leaning Tower of Pisa located in the city of Pisa, Tuscany Region, Italy is a tourist attraction that attracts millions of visitors every year. Travelers usually only come to Pisa to visit this symbol leaning tower and take pictures and then leaving. However, Pisa has much more interesting things than that. The Pisa travel guide is shared below will help visitors gather enough tourist information to have a great budget trip in Pisa in general and the leaning tower of Pisa in particular. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Pisa for the first-time? Let’s check out our Pisa travel blog with the fullest Pisa travel guide (Pisa Italy travel guide, Pisa tourist guide, Pisa guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do… as well as suggested Pisa itinerary for 1 day to find out the answer!

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Pisa travel guide: Overview of Pisa

This beautiful city of Pisa is located in the province of Pisa, in the Italian region of Tuscany. The city is located on the banks of the Arno River just before it empties into the Ligurian Sea. The city of Pisa was once a Roman port. At the beginning of the 15th century, Pisa was occupied by the Florence people, so this place was strongly influenced by the Renaissance art and culture which was originated from Florence. The city was heavily damaged during World War II with more than 53 times of bombing. More than half of the area of ​​downtown Pisa was completely destroyed, but with the spirit of perseverance, the people rebuilt the city just a few decades later.

The city of Pisa was a navy base and an important trading port in many centuries ago. Its heyday was around the 10th century when it was a maritime region, considered one of the four mainly maritime states in history of Italy.

Pisa travel guide: When should I visit Pisa?

Depending on the characteristics of each season, the leaning tower will give you different feelings and scenes. From March to June, the weather is very pleasant and cool. This is the best time to visit Pisa and admire the tower at its most beautiful angles.

From June to September the temperature will be higher. The weather will be hot and dry, but there are many other outdoor activities that you could take part in.

From September to December, the temperature drops to low when autumn comes. At this time, the scene will be changed in color, creating a very poetic scene.

From about December to March next year is winter. The scenery will be covered in white snow. This is also a good time you should come and see the famous leaning tower of Pisa.

Pisa Italy travel guide: Is Pisa safe to travel?

Pisa is quite safe to travel as well as visit. However, the biggest problem for tourists when visiting this area is pickpocketing and petty theft. Pickpocketing happens every day here, especially around the leaning tower of Pisa. Documents related to money, passports, airline tickets should have copies and be kept carefully.

Pisa travel guide: How to get to Pisa?

Because it is a popular tourist destination, there are many ways to get to Pisa.

Pisa International Airport, also known as Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA) , which connects flights to and from Pisa. Visitors usually do not visit Pisa first during their visits in Italy but will visit somewhere such as Rome, Florence, Positano, Cinque Terre and then get to Pisa later (usually Florence because of the close distance), so visitors often take domestic flights within Italy.

There are two main stations in Pisa: San Rossore Station and Pisa Central Station (Pisa Centrale railway station). Trains to Pisa depart from Florence, Rome, Genoa, etc., very convenient for tourists to travel.

The city of Florence is about 82km from Pisa. So you can travel by train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station in 1 hour for a fare of 16 euros. Then you can reach the leaning tower by taxi, bus, horse-drawn carriage or walking depending on your budget.

If you depart from Cinque Terre, take the train from La Spezia Centrale Station to Pisa Centrale station for 1 hour of riding, then buy a bus ticket to the Pisa or Torre area.

You can buy online tickets at the homepage of Trenitalia – the largest train liner in Italy. I found that if traveling time less 1 hour, the ticket price is not much different than buying online early. So if you getting from Florence to Pisa or from Cinque Terre to Pisa, you can buy tickets at the Trenitalia’s ticket vending machines or buy at the ticket offices at the stations for convenience, without having to buy online in advance.

Getting from railway stations to the Leaning Tower of Pisa

You find Stazione 1 station and stop at Torre 1 station, then getting to the leaning tower of Pisa by bus. Bus ticket price is €1.5 and it takes about 10 minutes. Tickets are purchased at the small grocery store located in the station near the entrance. Exit the station gate and you will immediately see the bus stops. If you want to take a taxi, it only takes about 5 minutes and costs about €10-13. It takes about 25 minutes on foot to get there.

Note: The above bus ticket is valid for 75 minutes. If you come to Pisa with main purpose to take check-in photos of the Leaning Tower and not buy tickets to visit inside, you can use this ticket for the return trip. In fact, the day I went, I saw many tourists get on the bus from this bus stop to return to the railway station, so the bus driver could not control it. Whether if you have a ticket or not, no one knows because it’s too crowded.

Most visitors choose to walk from the station to the leaning tower in about 25 minutes. On the way you will also discover famous places such as Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Viale Antonio Gramsci Street and Ponte Solferino bridge.

There are many bus routes connecting major cities in Italy with Pisa. Currently, there are three main bus liners including Autolinee Lazzi, CPT (Compagnia Pisana Trasporti), CLAP. Pisa’s main bus station is located in the area of ​​Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.

Visitors can also rent a self-driving car to travel to Pisa or buy a day tour to get to Pisa from Florence or Cinque Terre. See more here .

• Pisa Half Day Tour from Florence

Pisa travel blog: Transportation in Pisa

Pisa is a small city, so the distance between the main attractions here is quite short, visitors can choose the means of transportation here as follows:

• Bus: Small buses operating in Pisa can help visitors traveling around Pisa easily and economically. Buy tickets right on the bus.
• Taxi: Taxis in Italy are not cheap at all and neither is Pisa. If not needed, you might not to take it.
• Bicycles: Some hotels in Pisa offer bicycle rentals. There is also a bike rental service called Cicopli in Pisa (like those in Taiwan or China).
• On foot: As shared above, Pisa is a rather small city, the distance between attractions is not far, so walking is the most economical and also the simplest way.

Pisa tourist guide: Where to go and what to do?

In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa has many other great places to explore and take pictures. The most prominent ones are the four religious buildings at the Duomo Square (Cathedral Square or Piazza dei Miracoli, Square of Miracles). These monumental and massive structures include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery of Pisa, the Cathedral of Pisa, and the Campo Santo (Monumental Cemetery)… Visiting here you will get an unforgettable historical experience. Don’t come just because of the leaning tower of Pisa but forget these surrounding historic structures.

• Pisa Cathedral Guided Tour with Leaning Tower Admission Ticket

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa is the symbol and also the most attractive attraction in Pisa. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was originally the bell tower of the church, built in 1173. This work was built in 2 centuries and completed in 1372. Due to errors in the design and construction process, the 8-storey tower is leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees. It accidentally forms the highlight of this architectural work. Not only considered a symbol of Italy, the leaning tower of Pisa is also recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

• Pisa Tour with Wine Tasting Experience and Leaning Tower Skip the Line Ticket

The tower is 55.86m high, including 8 floors connected by round pillars made of white marble. On the 1st floor, there are many sculptural decorations and the 8th floor is designed as the top of the bell. The tower body is gradually reduced, the foot is 19.6m in diameter and the top is 12.7m.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa still stands with at an incredible leaning angle of 5.5 degrees. Before being restored at the end of the 20th century, the leaning angle of the tower was almost twice this number. Although the foundation is quite soft, the tower is still standing, so you can rest assured to climb the steps to its top to have a panoramic view of this beautiful city of Pisa.

• Leaning Tower of Pisa Skip-the-Line Ticket

You should leave bulky luggage at the entrance because the stairs are very narrow. Ticket price is €18 to climb to the top of the tower, online skip the line ticket is €28. Very long queue, taking photos also has to queue, so climbing to the top is no exception. If you want to take photos with less people in background, you should not take a photo right at the entrance gate, but take a walk around to the opposite side, there will be less people.

Buy a Pisa skip the line ticket online for only €20 here .

Camposanto Monumentale di Pisa (Monumental Cemetery of Pisa)

The Camposanto Cemetery was begun in 1278 and was only completed in 1464. Therefore, it’s the youngest of the four structures located on the Duomo square, although the 84 Roman sarcophagi here date from the 3rd century. Although it is a cemetery, I feel it’s like a historical architecture.

Although this place was massively damaged in the American bombing raid in 1944. The famous mural and fresco masterpieces were all restored after World War II. You should not miss this place when coming to Pisa.

Among the most famous tombs here, the most famous one is the tomb of the great mathematician Fibonacci. More or less, it is clear that the Fibonacci sequence – this classic series of numbers in mathematics has been a name attached to our school days for a long time, isn’t it? Today this sequence of numbers is one of the most amazing mathematical proofs applied in many fields such as art, biology, architecture, music and even finance, securities, forex. The Camposanto Cemetery will easily retain visitors by its quiet and tranquil.

Cathedral of Pisa

The focal point of Pisa’s Miracoli Square is the Cathedral of Pisa (Duomo di Pisa) along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa are among the most photographed structures in Italy. The church was designed by the Italian Architect Buscheto and in his honor after his death his body was buried in the false arch of the marble façade.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the most recognizable and most famous building in the central square of the Duomo. However, Cathedral of Pisa is the largest structure here. The Cathedral of Pisa is impressive by its elegant multi-storey façade and elaborately decorated interior with splendid mosaics.

The Pisa Baptistery of St. John

The last building of the four most famous architectural works is the Baptistery of Pisa. This is considered a masterpiece of Roman Catholic architecture. Construction began in the 12th century and took two centuries to complete. Because it was built on the same ground as the leaning tower of Pisa, this church is also slightly leaned. The massive building is now the largest baptistery in Italy and also the most important religious building of the city.

• Baptistery, Sinopie Museum, Cathedral, and Monumental Cemetery Ticket in Pisa

Book tickets online to access the baptistery of Pisa, the museum, the memorial cemetery and the cathedral of Pisa for only €9 here .

You should buy tickets online in advance and this ticket is also skip the line ticket to avoid long queues. These places are as crowded as the leaning tower of Pisa, but the combo to access all places is only €9, so I find it very cheap.

Museo di San Matteo

The next place you should visit is the Museo di San Matteo museum. There are many famous works of art on display and regularly exhibitions of Tuscan Renaissance art are held for visitors.

Address: Piazza San Matteo In Soarta, 1, 56127 Pisa PI, Italy Hours: 8:30AM–7PM/Monday: Closed

Orto e Museo Botanico Botanical Garden

This is the first botanical garden in Europe, founded in 1544 by the famous botanist Luca Ghini. It consists of many areas including: gardens, ponds, greenhouses,…

Address: Via Luca Ghini, 13, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy (Other address: Via Roma 54, Pisa) Opening hours: 9AM-5PM (October 1 to March 31) / 8:30AM-8PM (April 1 to September 30) Website: www.sma.unipi.it/it/orto-e-museo-botanico

Knights’ Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri)

Considered the center of the city of Pisa. Standing at the square, visitors will easily see the beautiful Palace of della Carovana and the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri.

Address: P.za dei Cavalieri, 1, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy Opening hours: 24/24

Palazzo Blu Museum

It’s a place to store works of art. Palazzo Blu is a small palace built in the 14th century, now converted into a museum. It houses works of art by Italian artists. It is also home to regular art exhibitions.

Address: Lungarno Gambacorti, 9, 56125 Pisa PI, Italy Hours: 10AM–8PM Website: palazzoblu.it

Church of Santa Maria della Spina

The Church of the Virgin Mary Santa Maria della Spina was built in the 14th century in the Pisan Gothic style. This is a small church, located on the bank of Arno River, but with unique architecture and historical significance, this is a tourist attraction.

Address: Lungarno Gambacorti, 56125 Pisa PI, Italy Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 10am to 6pm (lunch break 1:30pm – 2:30pm)/ Saturday, Sunday: 10am to 7pm (lunch break 1:30pm – 2:30pm)

Lungarnos is an area that runs along the Arno River in Pisa. Walking along here, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the peace of Pisa, looking the beautiful palaces, romantic bridges, …

Address: River Arno, Pisa

Pisan Hills

It is not located in Pisa but not far from Pisa. This is the famous wine route of Tuscany. Visitors can rent a vespa to run along this road, seeing the vineyards and can stop anywhere they want. Enjoying the local food and wine is a very poetic experience.

Address: Chianti, Tuscany Website: www.stradadelvinocollinepisane.it

Take a day trip to Lucca

Lucca is a beautiful little city, just 25 minutes by train from the leaning tower of Pisa. Walk or cycling along the roads, explore the Medieval and Renaissance buildings in the center and breathe in the atmosphere of the city are best things to do here.

Pisa Italy travel guide: Where to stay?

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to..

• Bologna Hotel Pisa ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel San Ranieri ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• NH Pisa ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel Alessandro della Spina ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Affittacamere Delfo ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel Pisa Tower ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top rated and best Pisa hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Pisa travel guide: What and where to eat in Pisa?

Cafes and restaurants around the leaning tower of Pisa are very rich and diverse. I think the food prices here are pretty good. A meal costs around €8-15. View overlooking the square and leaning tower of Pisa.

Below are some good cafes and restaurants you can drop by to try:

• Oro Gelateria : Super delicious gelato (ice-cream). The best one you can find in Pisa.
• Osteria La Mescita Pisa : The best for wine tasting and delectable food.
• Gusto Giusto : Listen the suggestions from the restaurant owner Gianni for your meal.

Pisa tourist guide: Suggested itinerary to visit Pisa in 1 day

• 8AM – 9:30AM: Breakfast, then getting to Pisa.
• 9:30AM – 10:30PM: Visit the leaning tower of Pisa

It is one of the main sightseeing spots in the Duomo square (Piazza del Duomo), and is the most attractive attraction. If you intend to climb the tower, you need to buy tickets in advance because the number of tickets to access the top of the tower are limited each day.

• 10:30AM – 11PM: Visit the baptistery (Pisa Baptistery)
• 11AM – 11:30AM: Visit Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa)
• 11:30AM – 12AM: Visit Camposanto Cemetery
• 12PM – 2PM: Have lunch, resting
• 2PM – 2:30PM: Visit Knights Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri) in the center of Pisa city.
• 2:30PM – 3PM: Stop by Gelateria L’Angolo d’Oro to enjoy its famous ice cream.
• 3PM – 4PM: Visit Palazzo Blu – formerly a palace, now a museum.
• 4:10PM – 4:20PM: Visit the Church of Santa Maria della Spina
• 16:30PM: Visit and shop at Corso Italia Street
• 5PM: Return to the departure point (station) or move to the next destination or return to the hotel.

Pisa travel blog: Before you go

• To visit and take pictures comfortably you have to spend 18 euros.
• It is not recommended to visit Pisa in summer.
• You only can visit the inside of the leaning tower within 30 minutes.
• The number of people specified for a visit is 30 people.
• Children under 8 years old are not allowed inside.
• Children 8 to 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
• When entering the tower to visit, only cameras and camcorders are allowed.
• If you do not intend to go inside the buildings, it only takes about 2-3 hours is enough for a visit. However, if you want to go inside, you have to queue for a long time. One day is not sure to visit all of 4 spots.
• Beware of pickpockets in Pisa.
• Pisa station is a transit hub for many other Italian cities, so it’s very crowded. You should be careful when taking the train here.
• Souvenirs here are also cheap compared to other Italian tourist cities like Florence or Milan. So if you intend to buy souvenirs in Italy, you should buy them here.

Pisa travel guide: Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Pisa you can refer to

• Florence and Pisa Day Tour from Rome
• Pisa and Cinque Terre Guided Day Trip from Florence or Pisa
• Private Day Tour of Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa (from Florence)

Are you looking for more top things to do in Pisa: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And Italy travel guide here .

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Pisa's Top Attractions

Pisa, Italy's Sights and Tourist Attractions

When people think of Pisa they usually think of the Leaning Tower, but Pisa has many interesting sights and attractions. While the highlight of a visit are the  Campo dei Miracoli  Romanesque monuments, by getting away from the tourist crowds you'll find other interesting things to see also.

Piazza del Duomo

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Piazza del Duomo or Campo dei Miracoli, Field of Miracles, holds the main attractions of Pisa, one of Europe's greatest groups of Romanesque buildings. The key buildings trace life's path for medieval people from birth to death. The piazza was built outside the main city center but within the still-preserved city walls built in 1155.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Dado Daniela/Getty Images 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Europe's most famous towers. Construction on the tower started in 1173 but wasn't finished until the late fourteenth century. The cylindrical tower, 56 meters tall, has eight stories, six of them with open galleries. Inside the spiral staircase has 294 steps leading to the top of the tower.

Alexandra C. Ribeiro/Getty Images 

The Duomo, or cathedral, is an imposing white building dating from 1063. The facade, constructed in the twelfth century, has four tiers of open galleries housing statues and decorated with marble inlay. The doors have bronze panels with bas-reliefs from the sixteenth century. Inside there are a sixteenth-century wood ceiling, several important art works, and a magnificent marble pulpit.

The Battistero

Photography by Jeremy Villasis/Getty Images

The Battistero or Baptistery is a round white-marble building. Construction started in 1152 and was completed in the late fourteenth century with the addition of an eight-sided cupola. The pulpit, supported by lions resting on columns, is decorated with scenes from the life of Christ. Also inside are some impressive statues, originally from the outside.

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Camposanto was the cemetery for noble citizens of Pisa. The floor is covered with tombstones and there are many funerary monuments. The portico held many medieval frescoes which were damaged during WWII and removed for restoration.

The Museums

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, at the eastern end of Piazza del Duomo, holds a huge collection of important artworks from these buildings.

Museo Nazionale di San Matteo is in the former Benedictine convent of  San Matteo . The museum chronicles the development of medieval Christian painting and sculpture in Europe.

Piazza dei Cavalieri

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Piazza dei Cavalieri was the center of Pisa in its days as a republic and was remodeled in the sixteenth century, becoming the symbol of Medici power in Pisa. The square has some magnificent sixteenth-century buildings, the church of  Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri , and the  Palazzo dell'Orologio  (clock building) with two ancient towers joined by an arcade.

Santa Maria della Spina

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Santa Maria della Spina is a picturesque little church near the river. It has charming spires and high niches with beautiful statues.

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Wonderful Time in Italy We were covered from the moment we landed in Rome. The drivers were great, the connections were flawless, and it was well-planned a...

For many tourists, Pisa means just one thing – the Leaning Tower, which serves around the world as a shorthand image for Italy . It is indeed a freakishly beautiful building, a sight whose impact no amount of prior knowledge can blunt. Yet it is just a single component of Pisa’s breathtaking Campo dei Miracoli, or Field of Miracles, where the Duomo, Baptistry and Camposanto complete a dazzling architectural ensemble.

Pisa: Beyond the Leaning Tower

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If you think about Pisa, you think about the Leaning Tower. While the Leaning Tower of Pisa undoubtedly steals the spotlight, there's much more to this charming Italian city than its iconic architectural marvel.

Nestled in the picturesque Tuscany region, Pisa offers a delightful blend of history, art, and a relaxed atmosphere that invites exploration. As you wander through its cobbled streets, you'll discover a treasure trove of medieval architecture, quaint squares, and vibrant markets that reflect the city's rich cultural heritage.

From the breathtaking beauty of the Piazza dei Miracoli, where the Leaning Tower stands, to the serene banks of the Arno River, Pisa is a destination that captivates with its unique character and offers a glimpse into the authentic Italian way of life.

Rough Guides tip: For more practical guidance browse our Italy itineraries and find the best option to suit your tastes.

Visiting the leaning tower and Duomo in Pisa ©Shutterstock

There is a reason why this city is one of the most visited cities in Italy. Pisa is known for it's Leaning Tower, but it has much more to offer. Spend a day or 3 in this city and you'll never want to leave. These are the best things to do.

#1 Climb the 294 steps to the top of the Leaning Tower

The Leaning Tower (Torre Pendente) has always tilted. Begun in 1173, it started to subside when it had reached just three of its eight storeys, but it leaned in the opposite direction to the present one. Odd-shaped stones were inserted to correct this deficiency, whereupon the tower lurched the other way.

Over the next 180 years, a succession of architects continued to extend the thing upwards, each one endeavouring to compensate for the angle. The end result is that the main part of the tower is slightly bent.

Around 1350, Tommaso di Andrea da Pontedera completed the magnificent stack of marble and granite arcades by crowning it with a bell chamber, set closer to the perpendicular than the storeys below it, so that it looks like a hat set at a rakish angle. A rescue operation was launched in 1990 to counterbalance the leaning stonework.

World famous leaning tower in Pisa in Piazza dei Miracoli © Shutterstock

#2 Take in The Duomo

Pisa’s breathtaking Duomo was begun in 1064 and completed around a century later. The building is the archetype of Pisan-Romanesque, a model often imitated in buildings across Tuscany , but never surpassed. With its four levels of variegated colonnades, it features a subtle interplay of dark grey marble and white stone.

Much of the vast interior was redecorated, and some of the chapels remodelled, after a fire in 1595. A notable survivor is the apse mosaic Christ in Majesty, completed by Cimabue in 1302.

Don’t miss the pulpit, which Giovanni Pisano began to sculpt also in 1302. The last of the great series of pulpits created in Tuscany by Giovanni and his father Nicola (the others are in Siena and Pistoia), it is a work of amazing virtuosity, its whole surface animated by figures almost wholly freed from the stone.

#3 Visit Italy’s largest Baptistry

The Baptistry, the largest such building in Italy, was begun in 1152 by a certain Diotisalvi (“God Save You”), who left his name on a column to the left of the door. It was continued in the thirteenth century by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, and completed late in the fourteenth century.

Inside you’re immediately struck by the plainness of the vast interior (the acoustics are astonishing, as the guard will demonstrate). Take time to admire Nicola Pisano’s beautiful pulpit, sculpted in 1260, half a century before his son’s work in the cathedral.

Baptistry in Pisa © Shutterstock

#4 Wander the Camposanto, the most beautiful cemetery in the world

The screen of white marble running along the north edge of the Campo dei Miracoli is the perimeter wall of what has been called the most beautiful cemetery in the world – the Camposanto.

According to legend, Archbishop Ubaldo Lanfranchi had Pisan knights on the Fourth Crusade of 1203 bring a cargo of soil back to Pisa from the hill of Golgotha, in order that eminent Pisans might be buried in holy earth.

The building enclosing this sanctified site was completed almost a century later and takes the form of an enormous Gothic cloister. However, when Ruskin described the Camposanto as one of the most precious buildings in Italy, it was the frescoes he was praising.

Paintings once covered more than two thousand square metres of cloister wall, but Allied bombs set the roof on fire, drenching them in molten lead. One important survivor is the remarkable Triumph of Death cycle.

Detail of the Camposanto Cemetery in Pisa, Italy © Shutterstock

#5 Swot up at the museums of the Campo dei Miracoli

Re-opened in 2019 after a comprehensive restoration, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is now unmissable. It holds a vast array of statuary from the Duomo and Baptistry, plus ecclesiastical finery, paintings and other miscellaneous pieces. Highlights include:

• The extraordinary bronze doors made for the Duomo by Bonanno Pisano (first architect of the Leaning Tower) in 1180,
• Giovanni Pisano’s affecting Madonna del Colloquio (Madonna of the Conversation), so-called because of the intensity of the gazes exchanged by the Madonna and Child.

On the south side of the Campo, the only gap in the souvenir stalls is for the Museo delle Sinopie.

After the bomb damage wreaked on the Camposanto, restorers removed its sinopie (the sketches over which frescoes are painted) and these great plates of plaster now hang from the walls of this high-tech museum.

#6 Take in Pisa’s best piazzas

If you have time for a wider exploration of the city, head first for Piazza dei Cavalieri, the central civic square of medieval Pisa, which opens unexpectedly from the narrow backstreets to the southeast of the Campo.

Covered in monochrome sgraffiti and topped with busts of the Medici, the Palazzo dei Cavalieri is next to the church of Santo Stefano, which still houses banners captured from Turkish ships by the Knights of St Stephen – a grand title for a gang of state-sponsored pirates.

From here Via Dini heads east to the arcaded Borgo Stretto, Pisa’s smartest street. Pisa’s market area is west of here, on Piazza Vettovaglie and the narrow streets that surround it. The Borgo meets the river at Piazza Garibaldi, at the foot of the Ponte di Mezzo.

Beautiful building of University on Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa, Tuscany - Italy © Shutterstock

#7 See some of Pisa’s best paintings at Museo Nazionale di San Matteo

East of Piazza Garibaldi, by the river, is the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo, where most of the major works of art from Pisa’s churches are now gathered. Best of the paintings are polyptychs by Simone Martini and Francesco Traini, a panel of St Paul by Masaccio, Gentile da Fabriano’s Madonna of Humility and a trio of works by Gozzoli.

Among the sculptures, two masterpieces stand out – Donatello’s reliquary bust of the introspective St Rossore, and Andrea and Nino Pisano’s Madonna del Latte. The latter is a touchingly crafted work showing Mary breastfeeding the baby Jesus. The museum also has a stash of fine Middle Eastern ceramics pilfered by Pisan adventurers.

#8 See artefacts at the Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Reale

The Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Reale displays artefacts that once belonged to the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy rulers of the city, who successively occupied the house.

Lavish sixteenth-century Flemish tapestries share space with antique weaponry, ivory miniatures, porcelain and a largely undistinguished picture collection. The best-known painting, a version of Bronzino’s portrait of Eleanora di Toledo, is displayed alongside a dress that belonged to her.

#9 See the oldest Roman warship ever at the Arsenale Mediceo

West along the river from the Palazzo Reale lies the Arsenale Mediceo. Built by Cosimo I, it is being converted into the Museo delle Navi Romane, which will house the sixteen Roman ships that have been excavated since 1998 from the silt at nearby San Rossore.

Almost perfectly preserved in mud for two millennia, the cargo-laden fleet includes what experts believe could be the oldest Roman warship ever found.

View of the Arsenale Mediceo (the Medici shipyard) Pisa, Tuscany, Italy © Shutterstock

#10 Seek out great regional art at the Palazzo Blu

On the south bank of the river, west of the Ponte di Mezzo, the line of palazzi is enlivened by the brightly-hued Palazzo Blu. It holds a permanent collection of regional art from the fourteenth to the twentieth centuries, as well as occasional big-name exhibitions on the ground floor.

#11 Visit the Santa Maria della Spina

West from the Palazzo Blu, just before the Ponte Solferino, is the oratory of Santa Maria della Spina. Founded in 1230 but rebuilt in the 1320s by a merchant who had acquired one of the thorns (spine) of Christ’s crown, this effervescent little church is the finest flourish of Pisan-Gothic.

Originally built closer to the water, it was moved here for fear of floods in 1871. The single-naved interior has lost most of its furnishings, but contains a trio of statues by Andrea and Nino Pisano.

Gothic church Santa Maria della Spina on the embankment of the Arno River © Shutterstock

#12 Head to Elba

Nearly 30km long by some 20km wide, Elba is Italy’s third-largest island. Ever since Napoleon was exiled here, it has been captivating visitors.

It has exceptionally clear water, fine white-sand beaches, and a lush, wooded interior, superb for walking; almost everyone, including a surge of package tourists in July and August, comes for the beach resorts, so the inland villages remain largely quiet even in high season.

Historically, Elba has been well out of the mainstream. The principal industry until World War II was mining, especially of iron ore. The Romans wrote of “the island of good wines” – a reputation Elban wines retain to this day – while control in later centuries passed from Pisa to Genoa and on to the Medici, Spain, Turkey and finally France.

That cosmopolitan mix has left its legacy on both architecture and cultivation. Most people know the island as the place of exile for Napoleon, who, after he was banished here in May 1814, revamped education and the legal system, built roads and modernized the economy before escaping back to France in February 1815.

View of Portoferraio on Elba Island, Italy © Shutterstock

Elba’s best beaches

No fewer than 156 beaches dot Elba’s rocky coast, from little-visited shingly coves to broad white sand stretches.

The island’s best-known beaches can become packed in high season, but if you don’t mind negotiating the ranks of baking bodies on sunloungers, they offer all the facilities you could wish for, from snack bars to diving centres.

The big five are fine-sand Procchio; Fetovaia, with its crystal-clear water; beautiful Cavoli, a sandy arc in a sheltered bay where you can swim well out of season; Marina di Campo, a full-blown resort; and Biodola, occupying an idyllic sweeping bay near Portoferraio.

To avoid the worst of the crowds, however, head to one of the beaches below.

Acquavivetta

Not far from Sansone, this shingly beach is backed by high rocks. The gently sloping seashore makes it a good spot for swimming, especially if you have kids in tow.

Reachable from the beach at Sant’Andrea, this small patch of sandy beach has a natural pool of clear, shallow water formed by two tongues of rock.

In the bay of Biodola, sandy Forno is less busy than Biodola beach itself, set in a lovely little bay, surrounded by villas and dense vegetation. There’s a restaurant here (though it’s the island’s most expensive), as well as snack bars.

Also known as La Polveraia, this sheltered shingly beach on the island’s western coast is always fairly quiet, even in high season. The dark rocks here plunge sheer to the transparent water below.

A dazzling stretch of shingle, enclosed by sheer white cliffs and lapped by clear water.

Sant’Andrea

A lovely, fine sand beach, well set up with sun loungers, parasols and beach bars. A natural rocky barrier keeps the water shallow, and you can rent boats, windsurf and dive here too.

#13 Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano

All seven Tuscan Islands, and the seas around them, form the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano, the largest protected marine park in Europe.

You can take a ferry from Portoferraio or Porto Azzurro to various smaller islands, and from Marina di Campo in the south you can visit the beautiful island of Pianosa, an uninhabited former military base, with great beaches and abundant wildlife.

See parks.it and islepark.it for further information.

Capraia Island, Arcipelago Toscano National Park, Tuscany, Italy © Shutterstock

From the bustling Piazza dei Miracoli to the charming streets of Sant'Antonio and Borgo Stretto, Pisa offers a range of neighbourhoods to stay .

Piazza dei Miracoli is the heart of Pisa and home to the famous Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery. This is where you’ll find the best properties .

Located just south of the Piazza dei Miracoli, Sant'Antonio offers a quieter and more residential atmosphere while still being within walking distance of the main sights.

Located southwest of the Piazza dei Miracoli, San Francesco is a neighbourhood with a relaxed atmosphere. It's close to the Arno River and has some beautiful churches. It's a bit removed from the tourist crowds but still within a reasonable walking distance from the main attractions.

Situated on the eastern side of the city centre, Santa Maria is known for its picturesque streets, charming squares, and local markets. It offers a more authentic Pisan experience, with fewer tourists and some good guesthouses.

Browse the best hotels in Pisa.

San Matteo museum, wood sculptures room © Shutterstock

During Pisa’s Golden Age, from the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries, the city was one of the maritime powers of the Mediterranean. Decline set in with defeat by the Genoese in 1284, followed by the silting-up of Pisa's harbour.

From 1406, the city was governed by Florence , whose rulers re-established the University of Pisa. As one of the great intellectual establishments of the Renaissance, Galileo was a teacher here.

Subsequent centuries saw Pisa fade into provinciality, though landmarks from its glory days now bring in hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

Pisa’s proximity to the coast means that seafood is served in most restaurants, with baccalà alla Pisana (salt cod in tomato sauce) and pesce spada (swordfish) featuring prominently. Nearly all menus have two sections, labelled “mare” (for fish) and “terra” (for meat).

Avoid the temptation to eat in the vicinity of the Campo dei Miracoli – aimed squarely at the tourist trade, these places are generally of poor quality. Here’s where to eat.

Pisa’s lively student population means there are plenty of cheap eateries and bars around Piazza Dante and Piazza delle Vettovaglie.

There are plenty of good quality places to eat between Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Cairoli.

From buses to bicycles, it is easy to get around Pisa. Here’s how to do it.

Pisa has an extensive bus network operated by the Compagnia Pisana Trasporti (CPT). Buses serve both the city centre and the surrounding areas, including the airport.

Pisa is a compact city, and many of its popular attractions are located within a short distance of each other. Pisa has excellent train connections, making it easy to explore other cities in Tuscany and beyond. The main train station, Pisa Centrale, is centrally located and serves both regional and high-speed trains.

Pisa is a bike-friendly city, and renting a bicycle can be a fun and eco-friendly way to get around. There are several bike rental shops in the city centre, and Pisa has dedicated bike lanes and paths to facilitate cycling. Taxis are available throughout the city, and you can easily find them at designated taxi stands or hail one on the street. Taxis in Pisa operate on a metered system.

Palazzo Blu is a centre for temporary exhibitions and cultural activities© Shutterstock

Spring (April to June) is a popular time to visit Pisa, as the weather is mild and pleasant. The temperatures are generally comfortable, ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). It's a good time to visit if you want to avoid large crowds, although there may still be moderate tourist activity.

Summer (July to August) in Pisa can be very hot, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F). This is the peak tourist season, with larger crowds and longer queues at popular attractions like the Leaning Tower.

Autumn (September to October) brings pleasant temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) and fewer tourists compared to the summer months.

Winter (November to February) in Pisa is relatively mild, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). While it's the off-season, you can still enjoy the city's attractions without the crowds.

Find out more about the best time to visit Italy .

A day trip can be sufficient for Pisa. This allows you to see the iconic Leaning Tower, explore the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), visit the Cathedral and Baptistery, and stroll through the charming streets of the city centre.

If you have a couple of days, you can have a more leisurely experience here. You'll have enough time to explore the main attractions, soak in the atmosphere of the city, and also venture beyond the Piazza dei Miracoli. You can visit other notable sites like the Palazzo Blu, Museo di San Matteo, or take a walk along the River Arno.

Pisa’s Galileo Galilei airport lies about 3 km south of the city centre. The automated Pisa Mover ra il shuttle to Pisa Centrale station runs every 5–8min, from 6 am to midnight every day; the journey takes little more than 5 min.

An alternative to the Pisa Mover is the cheaper but rather less frequent LAM Rossa city bus, which takes about 10 min to reach Pisa Centrale; it leaves from in front of the Arrivals Hall.

The Airport Bus Express runs regularly to Florence and takes an hour, if traffic is light; at busy times it can take 1hr 30min. The ticket office and bus stand are to the right as you come out of arrival.

The drive to Florence is straightforward (a slip road takes you directly onto the motorway), but the road into Pisa is so confusing that, without directions from the car-rental desk, you may well end up getting lost.

Pisa Centrale train station is about 1 km south of the River Arno; the Campo dei Miracoli is about a 30min walk north, or a 5 min ride on bus #1, which leaves from outside the station.

The main bus terminus is Piazza Sant’Antonio, in front of the train station

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Stunning and Leaning Pisa

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Pisa and Its Lungarnos

Arno is the river which crosses the whole city of Pisa , as well as Florence. Italians call "lungarno" those streets which pass beside the river bank. The lungarnos of Pisa, with splendid buildings and palaces that rise upon them together with romantic bridges represent some of the most famous and characteristic places of Pisa. Thanks to the central position of the river, lungarnos were convenient for the edification of hotels. Their centered location make these hotels an ideal place to stay for tourists that come to visit Pisa. We suggest you to take a walk through these beautiful streets from where you can admire the panoramic view over the river and its surroundings. You should definitely try Pisa's tasty ice-cream or the local sweets that you can find in the fantastic cake shops situated on the lungarnos.

Pisa, city of Science, Art and Passion

Pisa hosts one of the oldest universities in Europe, considered as one of the most prestigious in Italy. Offering courses in Science and Humanistic fields, the university of Pisa attracts students from Italy and all over the world.

What to do in Pisa

We collect a wide variety of activities in order to help you orienting between Pisa attractions

Useful Informations

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Curiosities about Pisa How many leaning towers are there in Pisa? Where is the last Keith Haring mural?

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10 Tips For Visiting The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

A gravity-defying Italian tourist mecca, the Leaning Tower of Pisa offers a look at classic medieval Romanesque architecture. A day trip from Florence, the Pisa complex is more than just its leaning bell tower. There is a stunning cathedral, an acoustically intriguing baptistery, and a sculpture-filled cemetery.

Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa is more than just a propping-up-the-building photo opportunity, it is a peak into the deeply rooted Italian Catholic beliefs. It is an opportunity to enjoy masterful craftsmanship while poking a little fun at the sinking building.

1. Best Time To Visit

As with any sought-after tourist destination, visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa early in the day will help alleviate some of the crowd conditions.

Seasonally, the height of tourist season is July and August. If you visit during the shoulder seasons, you will find fewer crowds. April to early June can be cool and the crowds are minimal. From September–November, the weather is unpredictable but there are fewer visitors than the summer months.

2. Tickets And Hours

Visiting hours vary from season to season and sometimes month to month. It is best to check the Tower of Pisa ticket office for current hours of operation. The fee to climb the tower is about $20. Reservations are advised and you can book your tickets online .

Pro Tip: Children under 8 years old are not allowed to climb up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Children between 8 and 18 years old are required to climb with an adult.

3. Tower Of Pisa Guided Tour

There are lots of wonderful guided tour options that will have you skipping the lines and enjoying your day filled with history and leaning-tower adventures. Try this highly ranked, small group tour with tickets included to make the most of your visit.

Guided tours can be a little pricey, however, they will also save you time navigating the ins and outs of Pisa. A tour should hit all the highlights and guide you around the complex efficiently, offering historical insight you might otherwise miss.

Pro Tip: Choose your guide carefully. Have your travel agent book a tour or select one with an excellent rating.

4. Climbing The Tower Of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has 251 steps to reach the top of the bell tower. The original height was planned at 60 meters (196.85 feet), but it is actually much lower now. At last measurement, the highest side was 56.67 meters (185.93 feet) and the lowest side was 55.86 meters (183.27 feet).

The dizzying climb takes about 30 minutes to ascend the tight spiral staircase.

5. The Pisa Duomo

The Piazza del Mircaoli , “the Square of Miracles,” is made up of the Tower of Pisa, Il Duomo (the cathedral), the baptistery, and the cemetery.

The centerpiece of the medieval complex is the cathedral. It was founded in 1064 and consecrated in 1118, an architectural masterpiece for its time. Stunningly decorated and adorned with statues, mosaics, paintings, and other artistic masterpieces, it will take your breath away. There are many beautiful churches in Italy and Pisa’s cathedral ranks high on the list.

Pro Tip: To enter the cathedral, shoulders and knees should be covered. Visitors wearing short skirts, shorts, or bare shoulders may be turned away. Dress appropriately and carry a shawl or scarf to cover your shoulders if you want to enter Il Duomo and the baptistery.

6. Baptistery Of San Giovanni

The Battistero , or Baptistery of San Giovanni, was grandly designed to reflect the size and importance of its cathedral. The baptistery was constructed with a double dome giving it exceptional acoustic tones. If you time it correctly, you will encounter one of the staff members singing and you can enjoy the reverberating music enhanced by this architectural marvel.

7. The Cemetery At Pisa

The Camposanto at Pisa is a stunning monument to life and death. Exquisite statuary depicts tableaus of heavenly scenes rich with detail.

According to towerofpisa.org , “The foundation of the cemetery, Camposanto, is made up of 53 shiploads of earth that were brought back from the Hill of Calvary in Jerusalem.” The amount of manpower and horsepower it took to accomplish this feat is mind-boggling.

8. View From The Top Of The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

The view from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa on a clear day is lovely. It is almost 57 meters or 186 feet tall. That translates to about 15 stories high to give you an idea of the view.

Pro Tip: Climbing to the top of the tower is really more about the climb than the view. It is a bucket-list item for many travelers.

9. Strike A Pose With The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

One of the best IG moments at Pisa is striking a pose holding up the tower. The best way to accomplish a perfect shot is to arrive early; beating the crowds means a better opportunity to get a perfect shot.

Plan your poses ahead of time and choose the best photographer in your group to be in charge of staging the photo. Are you going to hold it up? With your hand? Foot? Back? Other fun shots include a ninja kick knocking the tower down, hugging the tower, and having the tower immerge from your unzipped backpack.

Have fun, be silly, and strike a Pisa pose.

10. How To Get To Pisa

Pisa is about 1.5 hours from Florence which can be a time commitment when you are on a short vacation. There are several good options to get you out to Pisa.

Guided tours that offer hotel pick up and drop off are the simplest ways to travel and also the most expensive.

The train is more budget-friendly, however, the complex is still about 20 minutes away after you disembark. From the Pisa train station, you can take a taxi (no rideshares available), a shuttle, a bus, a local train, or walk.

Pro Tip: The walking path that brings you to the Tower of Pisa is lined with pop-up souvenir vendors. Also, be aware of pick-pockets. Whenever there is a large crowd, you may encounter nimble-fingered wallet lifters.

Related Reading:

• 9 Tips For Hiking The Famous Path Of The Gods
• 5 Incredible Off-The-Beaten-Path Destinations To Visit In Tuscany
• I’ve Lived In Italy For 15 Years, These Are My 6 Favorite Wine Regions

This article originally appeared on TravelAwaits