Pisa merits a visit, at least once in a lifetime! Spend a few hours here on your next trip to Italy and you’ll realise why Pisa is worth it.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the great Wonders of the World and deserves a quick visit if you’re coming over to Italy. In contrast to some of the country’s other top UNESCO sites, it’s extremely easy to see and won’t take much time if you’re on a rushed itinerary.
Pisa’s Cathedral, the baptistery, and the famous leaning bell tower stand in a large grassy square aptly called the Field of Miracles. The manicured lawns are roped off and the white marble edifices appear strategically placed on an imaginary film set, waiting for visitors to capture their magnificence. A circumference of medieval walls put the finishing touch on this picture-perfect scene.
Walking through Pisa’s historic centre is hassle-free too – atmospheric pedestrian streets lined by cute shops and dozens of eateries lead from the River Arno to the World Heritage Site. Impossible to get lost as everyone is heading the same way. This means that Pisa can be seen on a day trip, or squeezed into a half-day itinerary between other must-see destinations in Tuscany.
This post explains why Pisa is worth visiting, with all the info you need to know about the top sites and how simple it is to get here. Still not sure whether Pisa is worth seeing on your trip to Italy? Read on to find out just why Pisa is worth it!
Why Visit Pisa (Italy)
- 1. Pisa is a Top UNESCO Site
- 2. Visit the Field of Miracles
- 3. Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- 4. Marvel at Pisa Cathedral
- 5. See Pisa, Florence and Lucca on the same itinerary
PLANNING A TRIP TO ITALY? SEE OUR GUIDES TO:
* Lucca
* Cinque Terre
* Florence
* Siena
* Venice
* Bologna
Have a glance at our Table of Contents to see which part of this ‘Why Visit Pisa’ article interests you most. © Original text and photos by Kali Marco.
Why Pisa is Worth Visiting
Pisa is one of those iconical places with a magical aura that fascinates everyone whatever their age, so it’s a fun outing for all the family. The Leaning Tower of Pisa in the Field of Miracles is the focal point of this intriguing city.
Yes, millions of tourists visit the city of Pisa each year, but the Leaning Tower is surrounded by a wide open space and it’s remarkably easy to get a good pic – simply wait a moment to take a silly selfie holding the tower up, pose for your Instagram shots or video the scene for prosperity. You can even go up the Tower of Pisa if you book in advance.
The broken beauty of the Fallen Angel who lies dramatically at the foot of the leaning tower, and the she-wolf suckling human babies on a stone pedestal, are sculptural pieces that spark the imagination even further.
While Pisa’s main attractions can be seen in a morning, you can obviously spend much longer here. In fact, if you’re flying into Pisa airport for a short getaway, you can save time by staying a couple of nights in the city and taking day trips to Florence, Lucca, and Siena.
How to See Pisa on a Quick Visit
This is an easy walking itinerary to see the main sites if you’re visiting Pisa for half a day.
Pisa Centrale railway station is a good starting point to explore the old town as both long-distance and regional trains stop here, as well as the airport shuttle (which also connects to carparks conveniently located for anyone driving to Pisa).
Map of Pisa showing the walking route from Pisa Centrale Station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We followed this route to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and pinpoint places of interest to see along the way. It’s a pleasant 30-minute stroll.
Click on the image above to see the interactive Google Map of the walking route from the main Pisa Centrale Station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You’ll also see that Pisa San Rossore Station is marked on the map – only 1.5 km from the Field of Miracles, this is the nearest railway station but fewer trains stop here so you need to check beforehand.
Walking route from Pisa Centrale Station to the Leaning Tower.
- Arrive at Pisa Centrale Station (by train or airport shuttle). There’s a left luggage service in the station
- Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II (large square with the statue of Italy’s first king near the train station)
- Corso Italia (pedestrian high street lined with quaint shops and cafés) leads to the medieval quarter
- Ponte di Mezzo iconic bridge over Arno River (950m from Pisa Centrale, 1.7 km to the leaning tower)
- Piazza Garibaldi (features 18th century Casino dei Nobili and the statue of Guiseppe Garibaldi)
- Terme di Nerone (Nero’s Baths) archaeological site with the Roman ruins
- Porta Nuova in Piazza Manin (street market by the ‘New Gate’ in medieval walls of Piazza Miracoli)
- Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles UNESCO World Heritage Site – Pisa Cathedral complex)
- Torre di Pisa (the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa)
Interesting Facts About Pisa and the Leaning Tower
The history of Pisa is remarkable and partly explains why the city is worth visiting.
Interesting Facts about Pisa
- Pisa lies on marshlands near the mouth of River Arno (12 km from the Ligurian Sea);
- A historical name, Pisa means ‘marshy lands’ in ancient Greek;
- The Republic of Pisa existed between the 11th and 15th centuries;
- In the Middle Ages, Pisa was an important Mediterranean seaport and trading hub;
- At the height of their maritime power Pisa controlled Corsica and the Balearic Islands (Spain);
- Their influence waned after losing battle to Genoa (1284);
- River Arno silted up and by the 15th century the port of Pisa was cut off from the sea;
- Pisa was an important stop on the European pilgrim route to Jerusalem.
Pisa World Heritage Site
- Piazza dei Miracoli is a Unesco World Heritage Site in Pisa. Listed in 1987, the ‘Field of Miracles’ is a monumental cathedral complex in Romanesque style laid out on formal lawns and surrounded by a crenellated medieval wall. The site comprises:
- Duomo di Pisa (Cathedral of Pisa)
- Torre di Pisa (Leaning Tower of Pisa)
- Battistero di San Giovanni (Pisa Baptistery)
- Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum)
- Camposanto (monumental cemetery)
- Sinopie Art Museum
Facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Field of Miracles
- The Leaning Tower is the stand-alone Pisa Cathedral Bell Tower;
- Construction of the Torre di Pisa began in summer 1173 and was completed more than 200 years later;
- 14,500 tonnes of white marble were used to build this bell tower;
- A combination of foundations laid on soft ground and the excessive weight of the marble employed caused the tower to subside;
- The lean was noticed early on and the architects tried to compensate by making the last five storeys of the campanile taller on one side;
- It has been gradually sinking ever since;
- Originally the Tower of Pisa measured 60m high;
- The actual height of the tower is now 56.67 metres on the highest side and 55.86 metres on the lower side (a 5 metre off perpendicular tilt);
- Inside the Tower of Pisa there are 251 steps leading up to the top;
- The Tower of Pisa was closed for restoration between 1989 and 2001;
- Engineers calculate that the leaning tower will be stable for another 300 years;
- Currently, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is open to the public and visitors can climb up the interior stairway to the belfry lookout deck on the 7th floor.
- Pisa cathedral and baptistery are subsiding too;
- Galileo was baptised in Pisa Baptistery (1565);
- Sacred earth from the Hill of Calvary was shipped from Jerusalem to Pisa and used in the foundations of the Campo Santo cemetery;
- The campaniles of St. Michele dei Scalzi and St. Nicola churches in Pisa are also leaning.
Information for Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa
It’s free to enter the ‘Piazza dei Miracoli‘ World Heritage Site (the Field of Miracles is the huge grassy square that surrounds the Tower of Pisa and Cathedral Complex). However, an entrance fee is charged to go up the leaning tower.
Visiting Pisa Cathedral ‘Duomo di Pisa‘ is also free of charge but you’ll need an entrance pass with a time slot. Get this directly from the ticket office in the Field of Miracles as soon as you arrive, or online when you purchase a ticket for the Tower of Pisa.
Climbing the Tower of Pisa: Tickets and Opening Times
Purchase tickets to the Tower of Pisa in advance and, at the same time, get your free pass to the Cathedral. This is essential on a day trip, even more so if you are only in Pisa for a few hours, and need to choose a time that fits your schedule.
Entrance price to the Leaning Tower of Pisa costs 20€ (2023). Kids under 8 years of age are not allowed inside, and those between 8 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Tower of Pisa is open every day, and opening hours vary depending on time of the year. As a guideline, in winter the tower is usually open 10 am to 5 pm (longer on festivities), and during the summer 8.30 am until 10 pm. For specific dates check the official website.
If you’ve arrived on spec (we often leave our travel plans flexible too), go directly to the booking office in the Square of Miracles and see if there are any slots left for the same day. Don’t stress if there’s nothing available, the joy of visiting Pisa is seeing the Leaning Tower from the outside!
The Leaning Tower is the highest building in Pisa. Inside the bell tower, 251 white marble steps spiral up a narrow staircase to a viewing platform that circles the bell chamber on the 7th floor (it takes about 30 minutes to walk up). This is well worth the effort, for the 360º panorama over the city to the surrounding mountains, especially at sunset. The last flight of steps up to the very top is closed to the public for safety reasons.
* It’s a simple but steady single-line climb in a confined space.
An entrance fee is also charged to visit the Baptistery, Camposanto, Opera del Duomo Museum, and Sinopie Museum (the combined ticket costs 10€).
Dress Code for the Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral
There is no dress code to climb the Tower of Pisa. However, Italian churches can be fairly strict, so don’t wear anything too short if you want to enter the cathedral (best to have bermudas or skirts that go below the knees, and bring something to cover your shoulders).
Leave backpacks or handbags in the lockers at the booking office, as you’re not allowed to take any kind of bag inside the tower.
Must-See Places Near Pisa
The city of Pisa is located some 12 km from the Ligurian Sea, in the Province of Pisa which is part of the Tuscany Region. Apart from being a great starting point for exploring Tuscany, Pisa is an ideal destination for a relaxing vacation, close to some beautiful beaches and countryside perfect for peaceful walks. Think about hiring a cycle, e-bike or scooter to get around.
- Marina di Pisa is the nearest beach and a family coastal resort just south of Pisa (14 km)
- Parco Regionale Migliarino – San Rossore is a huge nature reserve 5 km from Pisa which includes:
- Marina di Vecchiano – a long stretch of golden sands backed by dunes north of Pisa (15 km)
- Gombo beach – protected wild sandy beach and dunes with a curious petrified forest (10km)
- Lake Massaciuccoli is Tuscany’s largest lake with boating and kayaks (17 km north of Pisa)
- Monte Pisano lies inland from Pisa (20 km) – olive groves, woodland walks, natural hot springs
Day Trips From Pisa
1. Enjoy a day out in Florence
2. Get the train to Lucca
3. See the Ligurian coast
4. Visit Cinque Terre
6. Discover the villages of Tuscany
7. Join a wine-tasting tour
Where To Go After Pisa
Related Posts on Where to Go after Pisa:
* Florence and Lucca
* La Spezia and Cinque Terre
* Siena and Rome
* Bologna and Emilia Romagna
* Venice and the Lagoon Islands
Useful Info for Visiting Pisa
How to Get to Pisa, Italy
Getting to Pisa by Air
Nearest International Airports:
Pisa Galileo Galilei (PSA);
Florence Airport (FLR): 85 km to Pisa via A11/E76 (1 hour).
Pisa’s international airport is only a short distance away from the city, it receives a lot of international flights and is conveniently placed for visiting Tuscany.
Quickest way to get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa from the airport is to catch the direct bus to Piazza dei Miracoli (The Square of Miracles). Runs every 15 minutes, and the fare costs 2€.
Alternatively, get the electric shuttle train from the airport to Pisa Centrale Station which only takes 5 minutes. The ‘Pisa Mover‘ runs daily from 6 am to midnight, with a frequency that varies from 6 to 9 minutes during the main part of the day. A single ticket costs 5€ and can be bought on arrival at vending machines at Pisa Airport station.
If driving to Pisa, the Pisa Mover offers a very convenient parking and shuttle service from the San Giusto/Aurelia funicular station on the same route. The ‘park and ride’ costs 2.50€ for 18 hours of parking with 1 free return shuttle (1€ extra for each additional ticket). Sundays it’s even cheaper at 1.20€.
The PisaMover carparks are the best place to park your car on a trip to Pisa. Their long-term rates are pocket-friendly – a couple of days’ parking currently costs around 12€. Motorhomes are not allowed.
See MAP of how to get to the PisaMover carparks >>>
How to Get to Pisa by Train
The best way to get to Pisa from Florence, Lucca or Siena is by train. Pisa has 2 railway stations: the main station Pisa Centrale and the smaller Pisa San Rossore.
Pisa Central Station is a railway hub on 3 main lines: Pisa-Lucca-La Spezia-Genoa, Pisa-Livorna-Rome, and the Pisa-Florence lines. There’s a luggage storage office near the end of Platform 1 where you can conveniently leave your bags.
Outside the station, you can board Bus number 1 to the ‘Torre’ stop for the leaning tower (direction Park Pietrasantinato). However, it only takes 30 minutes to walk to The Square of Miracles along a straightforward route, crossing the Arno River bridge and along the historical streets of Pisa.
A direct train to Pisa San Rossore is the best option if you’re short of time, as this station is only 400 metres away from the Leaning Tower (a few minutes walk). Check up beforehand, as this is a smaller station and all trains don’t stop here.
- Pisa (Centrale Station) to Lucca: 30 minutes;
- Pisa to Viareggio: 15 minutes;
- Pisa to La Spezia: 45 minutes;
- Pisa to Florence: 1 hour;
- Pisa to Siena: 1h 45 min (Florence line to Empoli (30 min) change train to Siena (1h 10 min);
- Pisa to Rome: Fast train 2h 10 min.
How to Get to Pisa by Road
Distances to Pisa by road and the rough time this takes on a car journey along the quickest route. Flixbus has a frequent intercity bus service between Pisa and these Italian cities.
- Pisa to Marina di Pisa (on the coast) by car via SP224 12 km. Local bus nº 010 takes 20 min;
- Pisa to Lucca: 19 km, 30 minutes by car via SS12;
- Pisa to Viareggio: 35 min (23 km) by car via SS 1;
- Pisa to La Spezia: 1 h (75 km) by car via A12/E80;
- Pisa to Florence: 1 h 20 min (95 km) by car;
- Pisa to Siena: 1 h 50 min (125 km) by car via Empoli;
- Pisa to Rome: 4 h (350 km coastal route) by car via E80;
- Pisa to Milan: 3 h (280 km) by car via A15/E33 and A1.
Where to Stay in Pisa
If you decide to stay in Pisa for 1 or 2 nights, booking accommodation near the Centrale Railway station is the easiest option. If you’re coming by train, or flying in and getting the airport shuttle, this is the most convenient area as you’ll not want the hassle of lugging your baggage through town. There’s a decent choice of reasonably priced Bed and Breakfasts, hostels, and hotels around here as well as Airbnbs (which are ideal for families).
A House Swap is a wonderful idea too. We did this in Italy through a top worldwide home exchange platform, using a points system (it’s very simple as you don’t have to find a simultaneous or reciprocate exchange). Imagine staying in an authentic Pisan home and living like a local for a couple of days!
Looking for a romantic getaway in a classy historic building with close up views of the Leaning Tower? Relais I Miracoli is a boutique hotel, located literally a few steps away from the Field of Miracles in the Santa Maria neighbourhood. Unbelievably, the ancient residence dates to the 12th century and has been elegantly restored keeping the original ceiling beams and 19th-century wall frescoes.
Finally have a look at Marina di Pisa, if you prefer staying on the coast for a couple of days or longer. Accommodation ranges from select resorts to budget hotels and family-friendly private apartments.
Best Time to Visit Pisa
Pisa is a fascinating city to visit all year round, weatherwise here are a few things to consider while planning your trip.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Pisa if you’re looking for pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and reasonably priced accommodation (excepting the Easter holidays). Weekdays are best as there are fewer day trippers around.
The summer months are hot and sunny so it’s a good time to combine Pisa with a few days on the coast. Daylight hours are longer, so you can pack more sightseeing into your day. Bear in mind, summertime is the peak holiday season so Pisa, and Tuscany generally, will be crowded with tourists.
Winter weather in Pisa is notably cooler and may be overcast or rainy. However, the city is quieter and accommodation will be cheaper if you’re looking to stay over (excepting the Christmas period). Low season is great for visiting Tuscany in general as the famous sites won’t be so busy.
Is Pisa Worth It?
To summarise, the main reason to visit Pisa is to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Field of Miracles UNESCO World Heritage Site. This alone makes Pisa worth it! If you can only spend half a day in Pisa that’s enough time to see the main sights, but there are many reasons to stay for 2 or 3 days or even a longer vacation.
Why it’s worth visiting Pisa for a few hours on your trip to Italy:
- Pisa has an international airport with a fast shuttle into the historical city centre
- Stazione di Pisa Centrale is a railway hub with direct fast trains from Italy’s main cities (Rome, Milan, and Florence for example), and regional lines to Lucca, La Spezia, Livorno, Siena, etc.).
- It’s easy to plan a half-day itinerary of Pisa and simple to reach the Leaning Tower
- Pisa’s lively historic centre has plenty of restaurants, cafés, and gelaterias!
- Highlights of the atmospheric old town include Ponte di Mezzo over River Arno, the medieval quarter with well-kept historical buildings, the ancient city walls, and the Field of Miracles
- If you’re on vacation in Tuscany, it’s simple to add Pisa between visiting other places or as a day trip
Why Pisa is worth visiting for 2 days or a longer vacation:
- Pisa is the ideal base for seeing more of Tuscany on day trips (Florence, Lucca, Siena, the Tuscan villages), as well as Liguria (La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Portofino), Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Parma, Modena)
- Only 12 km from the Ligurian Sea, there’s a great choice of coastal resorts and beaches near Pisa (Marina di Pisa, Gombo beach, Marina di Vecchiano, Viareggio)
- San Rossore nature reserve is close to Pisa (a huge protected park with wild beaches, sand dunes, boating lake, and forest trails)
- Monte Pisano is 20 km away (olive groves, natural hot springs, mountain walks)
- Wine tasting tours, olive mills, truffle hunting, and cooking lessons in a Tuscan farmhouse are some of the local culinary experiences
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