Choose from 9 Fun Things to Do in Pisa
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Leaning Tower of Pisa
Perhaps one of the world's most beloved architectural mistakes, the Leaning Tower of Pisa's imitable tilt has made the UNESCO World Heritage site an icon of Tuscany and all of Italy. Travelers flock to take the must-have photo in which they pose as if holding up the famous leaning tower, which was originally intended as a bell tower for Pisa Cathedral. If you're up to the challenge of ascending the leaning tower's 294-step spiral staircase, you'll be rewarded with stunning views over Pisa. And you won't have to worry about toppling over—thanks to expert engineering using cables and counterweights, the tower is completely stable.
The Basics
Due to the Leaning Tower of Pisa's global renown and unstable subsoil, tickets to the 12th-century tower are strictly limited and visits are timed. With that, booking in advance is a must and skip-the-line tickets are highly recommended—jumping a long queue could save you hours of precious sightseeing time.
All Pisa tours cover the Leaning Tower, generally depart from Florence or Rome, and often include other Pisa sights such as the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Piazza dei Cavalieri, which boast the sublime Pisa Baptistry and Duomo, a marvel of Romanesque architecture. Travelers short on time can combine a visit to Pisa with whistle-stop tours of Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, and Florence, all of which travel through the serene Tuscan countryside.
The Basics
Due to the Leaning Tower of Pisa's global renown and unstable subsoil, tickets to the 12th-century tower are strictly limited and visits are timed. With that, booking in advance is a must and skip-the-line tickets are highly recommended—jumping a long queue could save you hours of precious sightseeing time.
All Pisa tours cover the Leaning Tower, generally depart from Florence or Rome, and often include other Pisa sights such as the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Piazza dei Cavalieri, which boast the sublime Pisa Baptistry and Duomo, a marvel of Romanesque architecture. Travelers short on time can combine a visit to Pisa with whistle-stop tours of Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, and Florence, all of which travel through the serene Tuscan countryside.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located on Piazza dei Miracoli, locally known as Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). From Pisa Central, take either the LAM verde, 2, 4, or 13 metro line to station Pacinotti 1, from where the tower is about a 10-minute walk. From Florence, the RV Express train departs for Pisa every 30 minutes and takes one hour; from Rome, take a direct train to Firenze and make your connection to Pisa from there. If arriving in Livorno by cruise ship, catch a bus or metro into the city center and you'll find that direct, 15-minute trains to Pisa Central Station depart regularly.
When to Get There
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is open daily. Hours are from 9am to 6pm in November, February, and March; from 10am to 5pm in December and January; from 9am to 8pm from April to September; and from 10am to 7pm in October. If visiting in June, expect large crowds and festive euphoria in equal measure—La Luminara di San Ranieri celebrations take place on June 16, illuminating the city with thousands of candles and fireworks.
- Book skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid disappointment and dodge the long lines.
- Opt for a private tour of Pisa, Tuscany, or the Cinque Terre to travel with a tour guide who will customize your itinerary.
- Children under the age of 6 are not permitted to ascend the tower.
How to Get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located on Piazza dei Miracoli, locally known as Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). From Pisa Central, take either the LAM verde, 2, 4, or 13 metro line to station Pacinotti 1, from where the tower is about a 10-minute walk. From Florence, the RV Express train departs for Pisa every 30 minutes and takes one hour; from Rome, take a direct train to Firenze and make your connection to Pisa from there. If arriving in Livorno by cruise ship, catch a bus or metro into the city center and you'll find that direct, 15-minute trains to Pisa Central Station depart regularly.
When to Get There
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is open daily. Hours are from 9am to 6pm in November, February, and March; from 10am to 5pm in December and January; from 9am to 8pm from April to September; and from 10am to 7pm in October. If visiting in June, expect large crowds and festive euphoria in equal measure—La Luminara di San Ranieri celebrations take place on June 16, illuminating the city with thousands of candles and fireworks.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Tuscany 56126, Italy
Hours: Daily April–Sept 9am–8pm; Oct 10am–7pm; Dec–Jan 10am–5pm; Nov, Feb–March 9am–6pm
Admission: Tower climb €30
From $ 12
Pisa Duomo
Visitors flock to Pisa’s famous leaning tower, which is part of a magnificent cathedral complex centered around the 17th-century Duomo and adjacent baptistery. A splendid example of Pisan Romanesque architecture, the Duomo’s original and renovated elements include a splendid apse mosaic, ornate pulpit, golden coffered ceiling, and more.
The Basics
The Piazza del Duomo, more commonly known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), houses Pisa’s Duomo complex, one of Italy’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The original church was built in the 11th century, but a fire in 1595 destroyed most of the medieval art and architecture—though the rendering of St. John’s face by Cimabue in the apse mosaic and the ornately carved pulpit by Giovanni Pisano survived. A series of renovations over the subsequent centuries added the Latin-cross floor plan, galleried exterior topped with a small dome, bronze doors from the Giambologna school, rounded apse, and five interior naves with a forest of massive pillars rising to the gilded ceiling.
The walled Piazza dei Miracoli is one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany and can be very crowded during the summer months. Booking a skip-the-line Pisa tour ahead of time is essential to avoid a long wait at the ticket office and ensure a time slot to visit the cathedral of Pisa along with the campanile and battistero (baptistry) before closing time. Consider a small-group tour of this stunning complex, or a Leaning Tower family tour if traveling with kids. If you have time for a full-day tour, you can easily combine a Pisa visit with nearby Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, or other towns in Tuscany’s Chianti region.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Ticketed visitors can use the Opera della Primaziale Pisana building’s restrooms and store bags and luggage in the cloakroom for free.
- There are a number of restaurants and cafés located around the perimeter of the square.
- The Duomo is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Piazza dei Miracoli is about one mile (1.5 kilometers) north of the Pisa train station across the River Arno. Trains run daily from Rome, Florence, and Venice. It is about a 20-minute walk through the historic center of Pisa to the Duomo, or you can take the No. 4 or No. 21 bus from the station.
When to Get There
The Duomo is most crowded from late morning through the afternoon, so try to arrive in the early morning to enjoy the square and its sights before the throngs of daily visitors arrive.
Other Sights in the Piazza dei Miracoli
In addition to the Duomo, visitors can tour the Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) and Sinopie Museum, which displays preparatory sketches for the cathedral’s frescoes. The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (Duomo Opera Museum), founded in 1891, houses treasured works of art removed from the Duomo and baptistery for various reasons over the centuries.
Address: Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa 56126, Italy
Hours: Open daily
From $ 18
Collegiate Church of San Gimignano
Taking prize place beside the Town Hall on Piazza Duomo, the Collegiate Church of San Gimignano, or the Duomo of San Gimignano, ranks among most impressive monuments of San Gimignano’s UNESCO-listed historic center.
Behind its comparatively reserved façade, the church’s main claim to fame is its exquisite frescos, which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, and remain remarkably unrestored. The bold colors and painstaking detail bring to life iconic biblical scenes including Cain and Abel, Noah’s Ark, the Garden of Eden and dramatic depictions of Heaven and Hell, with highlights including works by Bartolo di Fredi, Lippo Memmi, Benozzo Gozzoli and Taddeo di Bartolo.
Adjoining the church, the small Museum of Sacred Art includes more works taken from the Collegiata and other San Gimignano churches, including a Crucifix by Benedetto di Maiano and the ‘Madonna of the Rose’ by Bartolo di Fredi.
Insider’s Tip: Don’t forget to take a peek at the chapel of Santa Fina, a Renaissance masterpiece by architect Giuliano da Maiano, sculptor Benedetto da Maiano and painter Domenico Ghirlandaio.
Practical Info
The Collegiate Church of San Gimignano is located in Piazza Duomo in the historic center of San Gimignano. Opening times are: Nov-March Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 12.30-5pm; April Oct Mon-Fri 10am-7.30pm, Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 12.30-7.30pm. Adult admission is €4, while combined admission to the church and the adjoining Museum of Sacred Art is €6.
Address: Piazza Duomo, 2, San Gimignano, Italy
Hours: Nov-March Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12.30-5pm; April-Oct Mon-Fri 10am-7.30pm, Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 12.30-7.30pm
Admission: Adult €4, Child €2
From $ 120
Pisa Cemetery (Camposanto)
Italy is home to some of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, including the Monumental Cemetery of Pisa (Camposanto Monumentale). Part of the UNESCO-listed cathedral complex, this Gothic cloister features intricate marble arches encircling a central courtyard, 14th-century frescoes, chapels, and rows of Roman sarcophagi.
The Basics
The Monumental Cemetery of Pisa (Camposanto Monumentale) is one of the most beautiful sights on the Field of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli), famous for being home to the Leaning Tower. The cemetery was built on sacred soil brought back to Pisa after the Third Crusade in the 12th century, and legend holds that this holy earth can reduce bodies to skeletons within a day of burial. In addition to its Pisan Romanesque architecture, the cemetery is worth visiting for what remains of its fresco cycle and Roman sarcophagi.
Piazza dei Miracoli is one of Tuscany’s most popular destinations and is often very crowded, so book a skip-the-line tour in advance to avoid a long wait at the ticket office. You can also combine a Pisa tour with day trips to Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, or other towns in nearby Chianti.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Visitors with tickets can use restrooms and free cloakroom in the complex’s Opera della Primaziale Pisana building.
- The Piazza dei Miracoli square is lined with a number of restaurants and cafés.
- The Camposanto cemetery is accessible to wheelchair users.
- You must wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees to enter the cemetery chapels.
How to Get There
The Piazza dei Miracoli is about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) north of the Pisa train station, with trains connecting daily to Rome, Florence, and Venice. From the station, walk through the historic center of Pisa or take a bus to the Piazza dei Miracoli.
When to Get There
The Piazza dei Miracoli is most crowded from late morning through the afternoon, so visit in the early morning to enjoy the Leaning Tower, cemetery, and other buildings before most other visitors arrive.
Other Sights in the Piazza dei Miracoli
In addition to the Camposanto Monumentale, Piazza dei Miracoli is home to the Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa) and baptistery, Leaning Tower, Sinopie Museum, and Duomo Opera Museum (Museo dell’Opera del Duomo), which houses a collection of artworks removed from the duomo and baptistery over the centuries.
Address: Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa 56126, Italy
From $ 35
Piazza dei Miracoli
One of the most famous sights in all of Tuscany—perhaps all of Italy—stands in the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. This grassy expanse is home to the city’s cathedral complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Duomo, Monumental Cemetery, and Opera del Duomo Museum. The headliner, however, is the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The Basics
Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), also known as Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), attracts throngs of visitors snapping pictures of the Leaning Tower, but the square is home to much more than this iconic landmark. The magnificent Duomo and baptistery are splendid examples of Pisan Romanesque architecture, the Monumental Cemetery (Camposanto Monumentale) is home to a pretty central courtyard and 14th-century frescoes, and the Opera del Duomo Museum holds an important collection of religious art.
This public square is one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany and is very crowded in the summer. Booking a skip-the-line Piazza dei Miracoli tour ahead of time helps avoid a long wait and enjoy priority admission to the cathedral, baptistery, and bell tower. Consider a Leaning Tower family tour if traveling with kids, or pair your Piazza dei Miracoli visit with a walking or bike tour of Pisa’s other attractions.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Even if you don’t have tickets to visit the cathedral complex, you can stroll through Piazza dei Miracoli to view the Duomo and Leaning Tower from outside.
- Ticketed visitors can use the restrooms and store bags and luggage in the cloakroom for free.
- The square is a large lawn area closed to traffic, so a safe place for kids to play.
- A number of restaurants and cafés are located around the perimeter of the square.
- Piazza dei Miracoli is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
Piazza dei Miracoli is about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) north of the Pisa train station across the River Arno, about a 20-minute walk through the historical center of Pisa. Buses 4 and 21 run between the station and the square.
When to Get There
The piazza and the cathedral complex are most crowded from late morning through the afternoon. The best time to tour is in the early morning before the throngs of daily visitors arrive.
The Duomo Complex in Piazza dei Miracoli
Pisa’s vast Duomo complex is made up of a number of sights and buildings. In addition to the cathedral, baptistery, and bell tower, visitors can tour the Monumental Cemetery. The complex’s two museums are the Sinopie Museum, which holds preparatory sketches for the cathedral’s frescoes, and the Opera del Duomo Museum, with a collection of works of art that once decorated the Duomo and baptistery.
Address: Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa 56126, Italy
Admission: Free
From $ 13
Knights' Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri)
Pisa’s most famous attraction may be its Leaning Tower, but for centuries its heart was Knights’ Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri), remodeled by the architect Vasari in the 16th century into a classic example of Renaissance civic planning. Today, the square is home to Pisa’s university in the medieval center.
The Basics
The elegant Knights’ Square is lined with historic palaces and the church of the Knights of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, designed by Vasari and named for the religious and military order founded by Cosimo de’ Medici. A statue of Cosimo stands in front of the Palazzo della Carovana, which features detailed monochromatic etchings on its facade known as sgraffito, also by Vasari.
Knight’s Square is one of the most important public spaces in Pisa’s historic center, and it’s generally included in walking, bike, and Segway tours of the city, along with the Piazza dei Miracoli, home of the Leaning Tower. Pisa is a popular day trip and shore excursion destination from Florence, Livorno, and La Spezia. Joining a tour with skip-the-line entrance to the city’s most famous attractions is highly recommended in the crowded summer months.
Things to Know Before You Go
- When touring the historical center of Pisa and Knight’s Square on foot, wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- The public square is easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller, and most of the space is pedestrian only.
- A number of cafes and gelato shops are just off the square, making this an ideal spot for a quick espresso or cone.
How to Get There
Knights’ Square is in Pisa’s university quarter on the edge of the medieval city center. It’s a short walk south of Piazza dei Miracoli. Buses run throughout the area, and street parking is limited.
When to Get There
Pisa’s main attractions are crowded during summer, so for fewer people and shorter lines, visit the city in the quieter spring or fall. Knight’s Square is home to Pisa’s historic university, which makes it vibrant during the school year when it’s crowded with students.
Pisa’s Other Square: Piazza dei Miracoli
The Piazza del Duomo, more commonly known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), houses Pisa’s Duomo complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a splendid example of Pisan Romanesque architecture that includes the 17th-century Duomo, its adjacent baptistery, and the iconic bell tower (the Leaning Tower of Pisa).
Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa 56126, Italy
Admission: Free
From $ 13
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina
Pisa’s exquisite Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina is covered in intricate and fanciful stonework, a hallmark of the 14th-century Pisan Gothic style. With its fairytale exterior and magnificent Madonna of the Rose by Andrea and Nino Pisano inside, this church is a tiny gem and the perfect foil to the grandeur of the city’s Duomo.
The Basics
Built in 1230 to house a thorn from the Crown of Thorns (now displayed in the city’s Church of Santa Chiara), this small, striped marble church is considered one of the most important Gothic churches in Europe and is a highlight of Pisa. The original church was enlarged in the mid-1300s; in 1871, just as waters of the Arno River began to rise, it was moved from a location along the riverbanks to its present site, on the riverside walkway. The richly decorated exterior features a number of statues by Giovanni and Nino Pisano and other important 14th-century artists from Pisa.
The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina is one of the top sights in Pisa, along with the Piazza dei Miracoli, where the Duomo and Leaning Tower is located. Walking and Segway tours often include a visit to Santa Maria della Spina along with skip-the-line tickets to the Duomo, tower, and baptistery. If you have time for a full-day tour, you can easily combine a Pisa visit with nearby Lucca, Siena, or San Gimignano.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Visitors must wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees to enter the church.
- If you’re taking a walking tour of Pisa, choose comfortable shoes and wear a hat and sunscreen in summer.
- The church is located on Pisa’s river walk, a delightful route that hugs the Arno River as it winds through the historic city center.
- The Church of Santa Maria della Spina isn’t accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina is built into the promenade wall lining the Arno across the river from the Piazza dei Miracoli. It’s an easy walk from the main train station.
When to Get There
Pisa’s Duomo complex is most crowded from late morning through the afternoon, so try to schedule your tour in the early morning and then move on to Santa Maria della Spina when the throngs of daily visitors arrive.
Pisa’s Iconic Piazza dei Miracoli
The Piazza dei Miracoli, home to Pisa’s Gothic Duomo and baptistery and iconic Leaning Tower, is one of the most popular sights in Tuscany. In addition, you can tour the Monumental Cemetery and Sinopie Museum, which has a collection of preparatory sketches for the cathedral’s frescoes. Finally, the Duomo Opera Museum houses art that’s been removed from the Duomo and baptistery over the centuries.
Address: Lugarno Gambacorti, Pisa 56125, Italy
Admission: Varies
From $ 145
Church of San Sisto
The Church of San Sisto is one of the oldest churches in Pisa, Italy and was built in the Middle Ages around the late 1000s in a Romanesque style. Despite several renovations throughout the centuries, the church you see today still looks very much like it did when it was first built. The facade is divided into three parts, each separated by pilaster strips. Arches and windows with metal bars can be seen on the upper part of the facade throughout the entire exterior of the church. Visitors will also see replica ceramic basins from the 10th to 11th centuries; the originals can be found in the St. Matthews Museum.
The interior of the Church of San Sisto is divided into three aisles by two rows of granite and marble pillars. The pillars are crowned by capitals from ancient buildings which were reused in the construction of this church. As Pisa was once a big naval power, you will also see a rudder and a mast from the 14th to 15th centuries in the church.
Practical Info
The Church of San Sisto is located at Piazza Francesco Buonamici. Take bus line 4 to the Pacinotti 2 bus stop and walk down Via Curtatone e Montanara for about 5 minutes.
Address: Piazza Francesco Buonamici, 1, Pisa, Italy
From $ 52
Pisa Baptistery (Battistero)
Pisa’s Leaning Tower may be more famous, but the nearby baptistery (battistero) is equally captivating. Clad in white marble with intricately carved rows of Romanesque and Gothic arches and a cupcake dome, the baptistery is one of the essential sights in the city’s UNESCO-listed cathedral (duomo) complex.
The Basics
An excellent example of Pisan Romanesque architecture, the Pisa’s Baptistery (Battistero) sits just outside the cathedral (duomo) on the Field of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli). Inside, you can admire the beautifully carved pulpit by Nicola Pisano and ornate marble baptismal font, and then climb the stairs to the gallery for a bird’s-eye view. While on the gallery, try out the building’s remarkable acoustics by whispering sweet nothings beneath the dome.
The duomo complex is one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany and can be very crowded in the summer. Booking a skip-the-line Pisa tour in advance is essential to avoid a long wait at the ticket office and ensure a time slot to visit the cathedral, baptistery, and bell tower. Consider a small-group tour to see the highlights of Pisa, or a Leaning Tower family tour if you’re traveling with kids.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Visitors with tickets can use the Opera della Primaziale Pisana building’s restrooms, and store bags and luggage in the cloakroom for free.
- There are a number of restaurants and cafés located around the perimeter of the square.
- The baptistery is accessible to wheelchair users.
- You must wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees to enter the church and baptistery.
How to Get There
The Piazza dei Miracoli is about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) north of the Pisa train station, across the River Arno, and there are trains from Rome, Florence, and Venice each day. From the station, you can walk through the historic center of Pisa to the Field of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli), or you can take a bus from the station.
When to Get There
The duomo complex is most crowded from late morning through the afternoon, so try to arrive in the early morning to enjoy the church, baptistery, and bell tower before the throngs of daily visitors arrive.
Other Sights in the Piazza dei Miracoli
In addition to seeing the baptistery, you can tour the cathedral, Leaning Tower, Monumental Cemetery (Camposanto Monumentale), and Sinopie Museum, which displays preparatory sketches for the cathedral’s frescoes. Visit the Duomo Opera Museum (Museo dell’Opera del Duomo) to see works of art removed from the cathedral and baptistery over the centuries.
Address: Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa 56126, Italy
From $ 35