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Comune in Tuscany, Italy
Photo: Flickr user: Tet_Sy, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Leaning Tower
The structure was conceived as the cathedral's bell tower. Construction began in 1173 and the tower started leaning soon afterwards due to subsidence of the ground underneath its base. A project to keep the tower from leaning more and tipping over finally reached a successful conclusion in 2001, and the tower is again open to those wishing to climb it. Climbing the tower requires a reservation-based ticket for €18. Tickets can be bought for the tower on the day, for a specific entry time. This could be 45 min-2 hr after the purchase time, but there is a lot to see while you wait. It is better if you buy tickets online for €18 well in advance (up to 20 days). The tickets are non-exchangeable, effectively non-refundable, and only good for the tower, so they're a bit of a risk to purchase in advance. Make the effort to climb, though, and you'll be rewarded by the view. The famous Pisa leaning tower is not the only one in Pisa; due to the marshy land that they are built on, there are two other leaning towers in Pisa: the Bell Tower of San Nicola Church, near the banks of Arno and the Bell Tower of San Michele of Scalzi Church. For safety reasons, children who will not have turned 8 by the end of the year are not permitted to enter. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. ID may be requested to certify the age.
Pisa Cathedral
A splendid cathedral, containing artwork by Giambologna, Della Robbia, and other major artists. Fine Romanesque style with double aisles and a cupola, a huge apse mosaic partly by Cimabue, and a fine pulpit by Giovanni Pisano in late Gothic/early Renaissance style.
Baptistry of St. John
Large round Romanesque dome with many sculptured decorations and a fine view up top; climb this if you want a great view with the Leaning Tower visible in your photos. Arabic-style pavement, pulpit by Nicola Pisano (father of Giovanni), and fine octagonal font. At regular intervals, the ticket-checker-guard at the entrance comes into the baptistery and gives an audio-treat of echo-effect. The guard shouts out few sounds which when echoed sound like pure beautiful music. You can also cast your inhibitions to the wind, stand by the wall, and sing long notes that turn into chords by yourself, as the echoes go round and round the dome of the building.
Monumental Cemetery
A huge cemetery building with lots of interesting art, including a collection of ancient Roman sarcophagi and splendid medieval frescoes by the "Master of the Triumph of Death". There is also a 19th-century statue of the famous mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci, a native of the city.
Has sculptures and paintings that used to be preserved in the Cathedral and the cemetery. Some of the more unusual are bronze griffins from Syria captured by the Crusaders. You can also capture nice photos from the Tower and the Duomo from its balcony.
Skipped over by many visitors, this museum is a treat for art lovers. After World War II many of the surviving murals and pieces of murals from Pisa's Campo Santo were detached from the walls to try to preserve them. It was unexpectedly discovered that the artist sketches underneath survived. These were moved to this museum.
A small town square with many historical buildings that hosted the political powers of the city in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, but most of them are not accessible to tourists, as they are now property of the University of Pisa or Scuola Normale Superiore (a prestigious elite school).
The main Scuola Normale Superiore building, with an elaborate façade, by the important Italian Renaissance artist and architect Giorgio Vasari - who is also said to be the first historian of art.
Clock Palace
A 14th-century building that has replaced the Torre della Fame (tower of hunger), where the Conte Ugolino della Gherardesca was imprisoned and left to die of hunger with his sons, as cited in the Dante's Divina Commedia.
Designed by Giorgio Vasari in the 16th century for the Ordine dei Cavalieri di Santo Stefano (Order of Chivalry of Saint Stephan), a chivalric order founded to fight piracy in 1561.
This is a fantastic history and art museum, which houses almost all of the original artwork from all the churches in and around Pisa. Although fairly small, it is one of the biggest for Tuscan Renaissance art, hosted in the rooms of the San Matteo monastery. A gem overlooked by most tourists.
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.
A Romanesque octagonal church with conical spire by Diotisalvi, who also built the baptistry - a Templar church, striking and forceful. Usually is not open to the public.
A monument to Italian culture in the 1400s Palazzo Agostini, on Lungarno. In 1839, it was the seat of the meetings of the first Italian Congress of Scientists.
A very small Gothic church built in 1230 to house a thorn from Jesus's crown, it's considered one of the best expressions of Italian Gothic. It is so small that in 1800, it was moved from the Arno riverbank to a place some metres higher, one stone at time, to protect it from flooding. It's usually not open to the public.
A fortress converted to a public park which opens in summer for open air cinema, music shows and other events.
A fortress built to guard the access by the river Arno and the shipyard in the middle age, when the sea was closer to the city.
Orto botanico
The first university botanical garden in Europe, created by the will of Cosimo de' Medici in 1544.
Museo degli strumenti per il calcolo
This museum hosts artifacts from the history of computers, including Italy's oldest computer built in the end of the 1950s, and a collection of mechanical calculators from the early 1900s.
Keith Haring mural. Keith Haring visited Pisa and fell in love with the town, so he decided to paint this amazing mural as a gift to Pisa. Though extremely large, it is easy to miss so look out for it; it is located between via Giuseppe Mazzini and via Massimo D'Azeglio just off Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.
When you have done the main attractions of Pisa, there is still one little gem left: Marina di Pisa, the harbor of Pisa at the Mediterranean sea. It hosts a beach, not with sand, but with little marble pebbles. The pebbles are smooth, and will not harm your feet, but since they are slightly unstable near the water, sea water compatible footwear is recommended for walking along the beach and getting in or out of the water.
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.
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).
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.
Very good pizza. Accurate and fast service. Fabulous Cecina. Mainly locals came to eat.
Fantastic sgabeo. Amazing sandwiches, incredible bread and delicious ingredients. Unique place for the variety and quality.
Very nice sandwich with fresh ingredients. Truly authentic. Fast service, quality ingredients, vegan options available. There is limited seating inside but plenty of seating available outside.
Great place to get fine pizza by the slice, cecina, and excellent focaccine. You can eat there or grab your food to go.
Students' favorite pasta spot. Huge portions for cheap prices.
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).
Local pub that pairs home-made burgers and local craft beers at very competitive prices.
Generous portions in an informal setting.
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.
Great pizzas, they make them in front of you. Very kind personal, high quality ingredients.
Nice tomato sauce, very good mozzarella. Lots of locals. Delicious cecina, quality ingredients and very nice owners!
Has very good food in a cozy environment.
NamasteIndia Ristorante Indiano
Authentic typical Indian food. 5 minute walk from railway station.
Good food and research of the Tuscan typical recipes, nice and smiley service. Closed on Sunday.
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.
Affordable pizzeria which also serves good foccacia. Relaxed student-like atmosphere.
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.
A good Indian restaurant near the Leaning Tower with a beautiful atmosphere and really good dishes.
Ice cream made using quality ingredients, many of which are locally sourced.
Artisan organic beer and organic food.
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.
food and art café
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.
Good coffee, fine service and the best dressed baristas. They also sell French wine, including champagne.
Dog friendly speciality coffee shop.
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.
Free internet and kitchen.
Countryside 3-star with outdoor swimming pool, free internet access, restaurant, bar, English cable TV, bicycle, free car parking and family rooms.
Small hotel with 12 rooms.
A resort in the Tuscan countryside near the banks of the Arno river. 30 cottages surrounded by mountains, valleys and picturesque historical villages.
Near the tower, rooms with private bathrooms.
Six rooms with private bathroom and shower, fully furnished, A/C, LCD TV, free internet access, coffee machine. Consistently clean and welcoming.
Rooms are modern with good views.
Faded old world elegance on the banks of the Arno - the suite is fit for a visiting cardinal, a mere bishop shouldn't qualify. The original frescoes and tiling are a major constraint on what can be renovated, so expect some gloomy corners and rattly furniture.
4-star hotel, some rooms have sky view, all rooms have WiFi. There are also a restaurant, ample parking space and conference facilities.
The Pelican
3-star with en suite single, double, and triple rooms, great location.
Bed and Breakfast.
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.
By train
Pisa Centrale is the main railway station, just south of city centre.
By road
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.
By bus
The LAM or city buses run frequently to 18:00 then sparsely to 23:00.
By bicycle
Pisa has a public bicycle service called Ciclopi which allows travellers pick up and drop cycles to and from 15 points around the city.00.
By car
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).
By taxi
Taxis can be an expensive way to move around the city.
By e-scooter
Electric scooters are available in Pisa as a convenient, eco-friendly transportation option.
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Pisa (PI) · International · PSA
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