10+ Best Things to do in Pisa (that aren’t just climbing the tower)

Last Updated on 4th July 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Pisa is best-known for its world-famous leaning tower and many tourists make the trip to the Italian city simply to see the torre pedente for themselves. However, there’s more than just a tower climb available for those willing to scratch beneath the surface. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Pisa, as well as what to know before you go.

While most people visit Pisa for the purpose of seeing the tower (known as torre pendente in Italian), it’s worth noting that the city actually contains more than 20 other historic monuments, including churches, bridges, and medieval palaces. Pisa also is home to one of the oldest universities in Italy. Indeed, the University of Pisa was founded in 1343.

Is Pisa a tourist trap?

I first visited Pisa just over ten years ago, and even back then (before social media had really grown in the way it has now), everyone was jostling one another in order to capture the ‘perfect shot’ of them leaning/ sitting/ pushing the tower.

Pisa is maybe the place where doing it for the photo was invented and this has remained the case to this day. Wandering through the more central (and therefore more touristic) areas of town, it can sometimes feel as if the entire city caters purely to the day trippers.

As such, most of the restaurants close to the Tower are pretty touristic and the streets surrounding the Square of Miracles are crammed with tourist shops. Visitors to the area should be wary of would-be pick pockets, but this is pretty common in all of Europe.

However, once you get away from the crowded tourist areas, particularly once you cross to the newer part of the city over the River Arno, you’ll find a quintessentially Tuscan town with plenty of bars, restaurants, cafés, and pastel hued houses.

I personally think that Pisa is worth a trip but you only really need a short time to see all of the main attractions (and if you do go, then paying to go up the tower is totally worth the extra cost).

How long do you need in Pisa?

Pisa is fairly small and all of the attractions are grouped close together (to be honest all of the main monuments in town can be seen from one another since they are all within the Square of Miracles).

As such, you really only need a single day or even just an afternoon in order to cover all of the main things to do in Pisa. You can even visit Pisa as a day trip from Florence as the cities are only an hour away from one another by train.

What is Pisa known for?

Pisa is undoubtedly most famous for its leaning tower of Pisa, which is part of a larger walled complex known as the ‘Square of Miracles’ (Piazza dei Miracoli in Italian). Some people go as far as to claim that Galileo conducted experiments to do with gravity from the top of the Pisa tower.

In centuries gone by, Pisa made much of its wealth as a maritime republic, and this is what financed most of the grand buildings and monuments across the city.

The city is also home to a small international airport which serves a variety of low-cost airlines, meaning that, for many, this is their first port of entry into the world-famous region of Tuscany as it’s often cheaper to fly into Pisa than into Florence. Pisa is also the gateway to the Cinque Terre region by air.

When is the best time to visit Pisa?

The best time to visit Pisa is in the European shoulder seasons (i.e. just before or after summer). Visit during the late spring or early fall and you’ll likely be rewarded with better weather, longer days, and cheaper prices than during peak season.

However, it’s worth noting that, thanks to the presence of the airport, Pisa is always quite busy and so you’ll always find people in front of the tower. The best time of the day to photograph the tower without too many people in it is in the early morning (before 8 AM).

Buying your tickets

Now, before we dive into the best things to do in Pisa, it’s worth talking about tickets. Tickets can be purchased up to twenty days ahead of time and you can either buy tickets to individual attractions, buy a complete ticket (though this does not include a visit up the tower), or buy a complete ticket + the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

I would personally recommend purchasing the complete ticket which includes the chance to go up the leaning tower of Pisa and this costs €27. At your purchase time, you have to select which time you would like to go up the leaning tower. Buy your tickets on the official site for the best deal.

Best things to do in Pisa

Walk around Piazza dei Miracoli

One of the best free things to do in Pisa is simply to stroll around the central square of the city (i.e. where all of the main attractions are) and admire the buildings from different angles.

This 22 acres area is of such historical importance that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. The buildings were constructed between the 11th and 14th-centuries, though the most important buildings are the baptistery (representing birth), the cathedral (representing life), and the camposanto (representing death).

If you would prefer to discover the area together with a local guide, then you can book an all-inclusive guided tour with optional leaning tower like this one.

Climb up the leaning Tower of Pisa

Of course, no trip to Pisa would be complete without ascending its tilting tower, which is constructed entirely out of white marble. Construction of the tower began in 1173 and it took over two hundred years to build.

Unfortunately, no one knows the name of the architect who designed the tower as this has been lost to the annals of history. What you might not also know, is that, as a result of the weight of the heavy marble on the soft ground, within five years of the start of construction, the tower had started leaning.

Builders tried to rectify this and so the tower leans slightly less at the top than at the bottom. If you’re worried about the lean, then there’s no need to worry. Indeed, during the late 1900s, a study was done to see how much the tower could lean before it would become structurally unstable.

It was deemed to have already gone past the point of stability and so a 10 year project was undertaken to stabilise the tower, at a whopping cost of 30 million euros. Today you can climb the staircase to admire the view from the top.

I personally recommend going up around an hour before sunset in order to get the best views (you have to choose the time you want to go up the tower at the time of buying your ticket). Some people find the sensation of going up the slanted stairs and falling into the walls pretty bizarre.

Once you’re at the top, one of the strangest things that you’ll notice is that one side of the viewing platform has six steps, while the other side only has four steps in order to accommodate the lean!

You aren’t allowed any bags at the top of the tower and will have to leave them in the cloakroom. You are allowed to bring cameras and smartphones. You should also be sure to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting. Be sure to also wear comfortable shoes as the marble steps are slippery from hundreds of years of use!

Pisa Cathedral

The tower was actually constructed to serve as the bell tower (campanile) for Pisa Cathedral, which was the first building to be constructed in the Square of Miracles. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

You can visit the cathedral for free if you purchase a ticket to any other monument within the Square of Miracles. If you don’t buy a ticket, you can still peer in the front doors. There are also a limited number of free tickets to visit the interior of the cathedral but you have to go to the ticket office to get one.

The gorgeous ecclesiastical building was established in 1064 and was built to celebrate a Pisan victory in Palermo the previous year. The Cathedral is also the final resting place of Pisa’s patron saint, Saint Rainerius.

However, if you thought that the exterior was stunning, then head inside for a true feast for the eyes. The cathedral embodies the wealth and power of the Pisan Maritime empire and you can see treasures from across Italy and beyond including granite columns from Elba Island and a gilt-golden wooden ceiling.

Baptistery of Saint John

The Baptistery of San Giovanni (known as Saint John in English) is the largest baptistery in Italy which has a staggering circumference of 100 metres and stands at 55 metres. The baptistery was built in the 12th-century as an addition to the cathedral.

Unfortunately, though entrance to the Baptistery was included within the ticket price, it was closed during our visit for renovations and so could only be admired from the exterior.

The best view of the Baptistery can actually be found within the cathedral. Head inside the cathedral and stand in front of the open entrance doors- you’ll find the baptistery framed by the doors, making for a rather nice photo!

Camposanto

The Camposanto (translated into English as Sacred Field) was established in 1277 as a final resting place for people buried close to the cathedral. One of the most notable people interred in the Camposanto is Fibonacci.

The name Camposanto likely derives from the fact that it was allegedly constructed upon soil brought back from the Holy Land by Ubaldo de’ Lanfranchi from the 4th Crusade during the 12th-century.

The Camposanto is also sometimes referred to as Camposanto Vecchio (old cemetery) and, rather than being a simple plot of land, it is actually a walled complex featuring a chapel, corridors, cloisters, and plenty of statues.

As part of the attractions within the Square of Miracles, you would expect that the Camposanto would be just as busy as all of the other attractions. However, we found that it was surprisingly quiet and calm, offering respite from the crowds outside.

Pisa City Walls

Dating back some 900 years, the Pisa City Walls which remain are a relic from the Middle Ages, when all of the city would have been protected, Today, part of these 11 metres high walls survive and you can stroll along them close to the Square of Miracles for free.

Piazza delle Vettevaglie

If you’re looking for a hip and trendy place to hang out during an evening out in Pisa, then you should be sure to head to Piazza delle Vettevaglie. This square dates back to the 16th-century when it was constructed under Medici rule and now houses cafes, restaurants, and a market.

Keith Haring Mural

Now, in a rather ancient city where almost all of the attractions date back many centuries, it can feel surprising to spy a Keith Haring Mural. The wall art is free to visit and was created in 1989 on the side of Sant’Antonio Abate church.

It’s one of the only pieces by Keith Haring in Italy and is one of the artist’s final works of art (Haring passed away just a few months after the completion of Tuttomondo).

If you’re walking to the city centre from the train station (a fifteen minute walk) or the airport (yes, you can walk directly into the city centre from the airport, it’s a 25 minute walk), then you can stop off at tuttomondo en route.

Piazza Dei Cavalieri

The impossibly beautiful square of Cavalieri lies in the shadow of the Palazzo dei Cavalieri and is translated into English as Knights Square. Home to the Normale di Pisa University, this square sometimes hosts markets and has several illustrious Renaissance buildings which you’ll want to snap photos of.

Santa Maria della Spina

This Pisan Gothic church is probably the most famous church in Pisa after the Cathedral and, while it may be tiny, the intricate details of this structure truly are a feast for the eyes. The church was built in the 13th-century (though was probably enlarged during the 14th-century).

What many people don’t know is that, due to rising river levels, the church was actually dismantled from its position closer to the water level and rebuilt on higher ground in 1871.

The church is named for the relic of a thorn, alleged to be from the crown of thorns, though this relic has since been moved to the Chiesa di Santa Chiara.

Unfortunately, the interior of the church was closed during our visit, though I still think it’s worth going to see the exterior of the church, if only to admire the amazing Gothic architecture set against the backdrop of the River Arno. The best place to enjoy views of the church at sunset is from Ponte Solferino.

Walk along the River Arno

Truth be told, my personal favourite activity in Pisa was strolling alongside the River Arno. Though it’s pretty to admire the view during any time of the day, the best time to visit is undoubtedly at sunset, when the reflections are bathed in a golden hue.

One of the main highlights of a stroll along the River Arno is the opportunity to spot the Guelph Tower. This tower dates back to the 15th-century and lies in an area which was once used for shipbuilding activities.

Museo Nazionale

For a greater insight into the history of Pisa and the surrounding Tuscan countryside, you’ll want to head to The National Museum of San Matteo. Set within the restored medieval Convent of San Matteo in Soarta, the museum showcases works of art from the Medieval period to the 16th century.

Palazzo Blu

Art lovers certainly shouldn’t miss out on the chance to visit Palazzo Blu, which is housed within the ancient Palazzo Giuli Rosselmini Gualandi and houses a permanent collection of artworks, as well as various temporary exhibitions.

Baths of Nero

One of the more hidden gems of Pisa that many tourists walk past but few tourists stop to look at are the Roman Baths of Nero. These historic ruins are the remains of Roman baths and sweating rooms and can be found just a couple of minutes walk from the Square of Miracles.

Walk around Pisa

Once you have seen the major attractions, you’ll want to spend some time in the back streets, getting to know the city on a more local level.

Do as the locals do and grab a pizza slice, chill out on a pretty piazza, and watch the world go by. If you’re curious to learn more about the history of Pisa, consider booking a walking tour like this one.

Discover the local foodie scene

Of course, one of the key highlights for many on any trip to Italy is the chance to sample some of the local cuisine. When it comes to Pisa, some of the local specialities include stuffed mussels and Spaghetti con le arselle (pasta with clams).

If you want to learn more about the foodie scene, then you can book a Pisa food tour like this one or a market tour and cooking class like this one.

Where to eat in Pisa

There is just one rule I would urge you to follow when dining out in Pisa (and this is the case for many iconic tourist cities): avoid eating in the city centre. I wasn’t entirely shocked when I read some of the reviews that had been written about various touristy restaurants in town:

Ristorante Tora Tora: This restaurant was situated close to our hotel and we loved dining out in the small piazza, indulging in local pasta dishes, and sipping on spritzes while watching the world go by.

Getting to Pisa

As well as the international airport (also known as Galileo Galilei Airport), Pisa has two stations. The main station is Pisa Centrale, and if you’re visiting via Cinque Terre or Florence, then this is probably the train station that you’ll get off at. From the station, it’s only a twenty minute walk to the Pisa tower.

Getting around Pisa

Like most medieval cities in Europe, the best way to get around Pisa is on your own two feet. There are lots of uneven cobbled lanes and so it’s best to wear comfortable shoes. If you would prefer to take a guided visit around the city, then there is also a small tourist train.

Where to stay in Pisa

As Pisa is most commonly visited as a day trip, the best way to experience the city without the crowds if before 10 AM and after 6 PM, when you’ll get to see the best of this Italian city without the day trippers.

We personally opted to stay a night in Pisa so that we could catch a flight the next day, experience the foodie scene, and go up the tower for the best of the evening light. As it’s such a touristy city, there are plenty of places to stay in Pisa.

We stayed at La Corte di Lisa, a friendly and cosy guesthouse on the other side of the River Arno from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We loved our comfortable bed, the quiet outdoor courtyard that guests have access to, and the fact that there was a shared kitchen (though the insulation between rooms could have been better). Check prices and availability here.

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