Pisa is more than the Leaning Tower. The city is compact, easy to walk, and full of history, food, and student life. You can fly into Pisa International Airport and be in the centre in minutes using the Pisa Mover. Trains connect Pisa with Florence, Rome, and other Tuscan towns, so it works for a short break or a longer base.
We’ve put together this practical Pisa Travel Guide to help you plan what to see, how to book the key tickets in advance, where to stay, and how much to budget. It also covers simple day trips, the best time to visit, and how to move around without stress. Use it to sketch your plan, book what needs booking, and enjoy a smooth trip.
The nearby port of Livorno is also a popular cruise destination, so be prepared for cruise crowds on some days. Check the Cruisemapper website to see how many passengers and ships will be in on a given day and plan around it if you can.
Planning your Pisa trip?
Here are a few tools we personally find helpful when organising Pisa and wider Tuscany:
- Skip-the-line Leaning Tower, cathedral complex and small-group day tours:
Compare tickets and tours on GetYourGuide. - Travel insurance for flights, cruises and Europe trips:
Check policies with VisitorsCoverage before you leave. - Low-fee card and good EUR exchange rates for Italy:
Set up a Wise multi-currency account to avoid poor bank rates. - eSIM for data in Italy and beyond:
Buy an Italy/Europe eSIM on Airalo and skip airport SIM queues.
Using these links won’t cost you extra, but they help support this free Pisa travel guide.
Top things to do in Pisa
Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente)
The tower began leaning during construction in the 12th century due to soft ground. Today, you can climb nearly 300 steps to the top. The tilt makes the walk feel uneven, so wear good shoes. Views from the top cover the city and the Arno plain.
Daily numbers are limited, so it’s wise to book a timed ticket in advance, especially in spring and summer. You can often book a combined ticket or guided tour that covers the tower, cathedral and baptistery together to save time and queueing. We like checking options on GetYourGuide so you can compare reviews and pick a time that fits your day.
Morning and late afternoon light are best for photos and slightly shorter lines. Bags may need storage before entry, so check rules when booking. If you would rather not climb, the lawn and paths around the tower give clear views for classic Pisa photos.
Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta)
The cathedral sits next to the tower in Piazza dei Miracoli and is a key example of Romanesque style in Tuscany. The facade has rows of arches and carved details. Inside you will see marble floors, frescoes, and a famous pulpit.
Entry rules can change, and combined tickets often include the cathedral plus other sites. Dress modestly as it is an active place of worship. If you like art, spend time with the pulpit by Giovanni Pisano, which shows scenes in fine detail. Late morning light can make the interior brighter for photos. Plan 30–45 minutes inside, longer if you add the museum visit.
If you prefer a guide to bring the art and history to life, look for Piazza dei Miracoli small-group tours that include the cathedral on GetYourGuide. Many start right by the square and are easy to fit into a half-day plan.
Baptistery of St. John (Battistero)
The baptistery is the largest in Italy and mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles. Its interior is simple, but the sound carries well. At set times, staff may demonstrate the echo effect. Listen quietly to hear it fade around the dome.
Climb the gallery to look down on the font and to view the cathedral facade through the windows. The pulpit here is also notable. If you hold a combined ticket, time your visit to catch the acoustics demo. Early or late visits are calmer. The exterior marble changes tone with the light, so it is good for photos at different times of day.
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
Apart from the obvious attractions of things to do in Pisa, this museum is well worth a visit if you want to add context to the main attractions outside. It holds original works from the cathedral complex, moved indoors to protect them. You can see sculptures, metalwork, and pieces once on the facades.
It is usually quieter than the main square, so it makes a good break from crowds. Plan 45–60 minutes. If weather turns hot or wet, use this as your indoor stop. Buy a combined ticket to include it with the other sites. The museum helps you see details that are difficult to notice outdoors from ground level.
Piazza dei Cavalieri
This square was the political centre in medieval Pisa. Today it is known for the Palazzo della Carovana by Giorgio Vasari, now part of the Scuola Normale Superiore. The church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri is also here.
The area feels different from the tourist core and shows the city’s academic life. Come in the late afternoon for photos of the patterned facade. Spend 20–30 minutes walking the square, then continue to nearby streets for coffee or a snack. It is a short walk from Borgo Stretto.
Orto Botanico di Pisa
Founded in 1544, this is one of the oldest university botanical gardens in Europe. It offers shaded paths, a small pond, greenhouses, and labelled plants from many regions. It is a calm stop after the busy square.
Bring water and move slowly through the sections. Plan 45–60 minutes. It works well with a morning tower visit and a midday break here. Check opening hours as they can vary by season. If you like plants or need quiet time, this is a good pick.
Borgo Stretto
Borgo Stretto is a central street with arches, shops, cafés, and gelato. It is good for a simple lunch, coffee, or a slow walk. Look for local goods and basic snacks. In the evening, it becomes livelier with students.
Prices vary, so check menus before you sit. Use this area as a base to explore side lanes and reach the river. It pairs well with a visit to Piazza delle Vettovaglie, which is close by.
Mercato delle Vettovaglie
This daily market shows local life. Stalls sell produce, cheese, bread, and meats. Come in the morning when it is busiest. Try cecina (chickpea pancake) and look for simple picnic items.
Keep cash for small buys. The covered parts help on hot or rainy days. Plan 30–45 minutes. It is also a good place to pick up edible gifts or snacks for a DIY lunch by the river.
Other places to visit near Pisa (day trips)
Pisa makes an easy base for short rail trips around Tuscany. Regional trains are straightforward to book on the day, but in peak months it can be worth checking times in advance.
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Florence (about 1 hour by direct train): See the Duomo complex, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and walk the historic centre. Book major museums and dome climbs in advance. Trains often run from Pisa Centrale. Start early to avoid queues. You can fit key sights in a day, but art fans may want more time. Check timetables and prices on your preferred rail app or via a flight/hotel search tool such as KAYAK when planning your wider Italy route.
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Lucca (about 30 minutes by train): A small walled city with wide tree-lined walls you can walk or cycle. The oval Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, Guinigi Tower with rooftop trees, and calm streets make it an easy half-day or full day. Bike rental is simple near the station.
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Siena (about 2–2.5 hours by train/bus): Famous for the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the cathedral. The trip takes longer than Florence or Lucca, so start early. The historic centre has slopes and steps, so wear comfortable shoes. Consider a small-group day tour from Pisa or Florence if you prefer someone else to handle the logistics – you can compare options on GetYourGuide.
Where to stay: in or outside the centre
Pisa is small enough that your base choice mainly affects noise levels, budget, and how close you are to either the station or Piazza dei Miracoli.
- In the historic centre (near Piazza dei Miracoli, Borgo Stretto, Lungarno): Walk to most sights, easy food options, higher prices, more noise in peak months.
- Near Pisa Centrale station: Good for early/late trains and the airport link, lower prices, simple business hotels, longer walk to main square or a short bus ride.
- Outside the centre or in suburbs: Better parking, calmer nights, lower rates, need bus, bike, or car to reach sights.
- Near the airport: Handy for early flights and the Pisa Mover, limited evening options, short hop to the centre by shuttle.
For a quick overview of hotel options and guesthouses around Pisa, you can also compare prices and reviews on Booking.com or KAYAK before locking anything in.
Tip: Accommodation prices can vary hugely depending on travel dates. Before booking, see how we use Booking.com’s calendar tool to find cheaper hotel deals and reduce travel costs:
https://trustytraveltips.com/find-cheaper-hotel-deals-booking-com/
Travel costs (typical ranges per person, per day)
- Meals: €15–€25 (budget), €25–€45 (mid), €45+ (higher-end).
- Coffee/gelato/snacks: €2–€8.
- Leaning Tower climb ticket (approx): €20–€30; combined complex tickets vary.
- Local transport (bus): €1.70–€2.50 per ride; bike rental €10–€20/day.
- Accommodation: €40–€80 (budget), €80–€150 (mid), €150+ (upscale).
- Day trip train fares: €6–€12 (Lucca), €10–€20 (Florence) each way.
Note: Prices vary by season and booking time. Using a low-fee card like Wise can help you avoid extra bank charges when paying in EUR or taking out cash.
Suggested budgets (per person, per day)
- Shoestring: €60–€80
- Hostel or budget guesthouse, self-catered breakfasts, simple lunches, set-menu dinner, one paid attraction.
- Mid-range: €120–€180
- Mid-range hotel, two paid attractions, sit-down meals, coffee and gelato, day trip by regional train.
- Comfort: €200–€300+
- Central hotel, guided tour or tower climb plus museum, nicer dinners, flexible transport.
Money-saving tips
- Buy combined tickets for the cathedral complex.
- Book the Leaning Tower in advance to secure your time and avoid resellers.
- Use regional trains for day trips; buy standard class.
- Refill water at public fountains; carry a bottle.
- Eat one meal as a picnic from the market.
- Stand at the bar for coffee to pay less.
- Walk or rent a bike instead of taxis.
- Visit major sights early or late to avoid peak lines.
Best time to go
- March–May: Mild weather, growing crowds. Good balance of lines and temperatures.
- September–October: Warm days, fewer crowds than summer.
- June–August: Hot, busy, longer hours; book everything early.
- November–February: Cooler, shorter days, fewer visitors; some sites run shorter hours.
How to get around
- On foot: The centre is compact; most sights are within a 15–20-minute walk.
- Bike: Many flat routes; rentals are common near the centre and station.
- Bus: Local buses cover suburbs and the airport link via Pisa Mover to Centrale.
- Train: Use Pisa Centrale for day trips to Florence, Lucca, and beyond.
- Car: Not needed in the centre; ZTL zones restrict entry. If you plan a wider Tuscan road trip, pick up a car after Pisa from a comparison site such as DiscoverCars, then park outside the historic cores.
When you run out of things to do in Pisa, check out other places in the Mediterranean here.
Watch our video on Pisa
