I bet that when you think of Pisa, the first thing that pops into your head is its leaning tower, right?
That's exactly what happens to the millions of tourists who drop by every year.
But guess what?
Most of them are missing out on the best of Pisa.
What if you could escape the crowds and enjoy the real Pisa from a whole new angle?
Keep reading! 😉
Piazza dei Miracoli: Baptistery, Duomo, and Leaning Tower
Most tourists who arrive in Pisa packed like sardines on tour buses from all over the country have only one goal in mind: seeing or climbing the Tower of Pisa.
So, almost everyone swarms in droves to the famous Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) during the middle of the day.
Got the whole day to explore Pisa? Then flip your itinerary and save your visit to the Tower of Pisa for sunset.
Here's how to do it:
How to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Paid ticket
If you want to climb the Tower of Pisa and visit the Baptistery, I recommend buying your tickets online at least 15 days in advance (I'll leave the link to the official website in the handy links at the bottom of the page).
The best time to book is late in the afternoon or first thing in the morning (heads up, though: there are plenty of early-bird tourists!). 😉
Without a doubt, the late afternoon is the perfect choice if you're enjoying a more relaxed vacation in Pisa and the surrounding area. If that's your vibe, make sure to check out the deals on premium accommodations and experiences by Voyage Privé in Tuscany.
By the way, this paid ticket gives you access to the Duomo (cathedral) at any time, with no restrictions.
Free ticket to the Duomo
If you just want to stroll around the Campo dei Miracoli (another name for the square) and step inside the cathedral, you'll need to head over to the ticket office located in the Sinopie Museum building.
Usually, they'll give you a ticket for a time slot one or two hours after you pick it up.
That's one of the reasons why Piazza dei Miracoli is always packed with people chilling on the grass or sitting on curbs and steps all around.
Want to know a little trick?
When you ask for your free Duomo ticket at the ticket desk, ask for the latest slot possible—the very last one available.
That way, you can make the most of your day exploring the rest of Pisa, then head back at sunset to enjoy the cathedral and the whole area with a bit less hustle and bustle (though you won't be totally alone!).
Plus, the Square of Miracles is an absolute treat for the eyes once night falls, thanks to the floodlights illuminating the buildings.
A different way to explore Pisa
So, what else can you do in Pisa?
1. Get lost in the narrow streets of its medieval center
Pisa's historic center has nothing to envy compared to other medieval towns across Tuscany and Italy:
- Arched porticoes along Borgo Stretto street, reminiscent of Bologna.
- Colorful facades with trompe-l'œil art and laundry hanging out to dry.
- Narrow pedestrian streets lined with local shops just waiting to be discovered.
- Centuries-old palaces and churches around every corner.
- Squares packed with monumental buildings, irresistible terraces, and fresh produce markets.
I've marked the medieval area in yellow on the map at the bottom of this page. That way, you can't get lost… or can you? 😉
2. Enjoy the food and the vibrant student vibe in its squares
Since it's a university town, its squares are full of budget-friendly bars and restaurants that are always buzzing.
Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Cairoli are great starting points to grab an aperitivo and end up dining at a trattoria, osteria, or pizzeria in the old town.
Any recommendations?
Loads! And as you can guess, I didn't try them all. But here are two very different spots:
- Pizzeria il Montino: super famous (and authentic). Cheap and quick service. You'd better book in advance! 😉
- Da Nando Pisa: a trattoria specializing in seafood where you can feast on their seafood platter (mid-to-high price range).
By the way, there's no such thing as bad gelato in Italy, and that holds true in Pisa too. Tested and proven. 😉
3. Stroll past palazzos along the banks of the Arno River
One of the most peaceful spots in Pisa is the bank of the River Arno, locally known as the Lungarno.
Both sides of the river are lined with Pisa's most eye-catching palaces (the Palazzo Blu really stands out), making it the perfect place for a relaxed walk soaking in the city's beauty without the crowds.
And when you've had your fill of open spaces, head south across the river along Corso Italia boulevard, the city's main shopping strip. At the end of the street, you'll hit the massive Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and, just a bit further down, the central train station.
4. Day trips to neighboring Tuscan towns
Got a few extra days to explore Tuscany?
Here are a few places you definitely shouldn't miss:
- Lucca and its quirky oval-shaped square.
- The countless hidden gems of Florence.
- Siena and the Val d’Orcia.
- The unspoiled beaches of the Maremma Natural Park.
- A roofless cathedral in Tuscany.
- The Cinque Terre, just a stone's throw from Tuscany.
How to get to Pisa
By train
If you're exploring Italy on your own, one of the best ways to get around is by train:
- It's budget-friendly and sustainable.
- You dodge all the parking headaches.
- There's a station in pretty much every major town and city.
I've left a link to the official Trenitalia website at the end of this post.
By car
Living in Genoa for 5 years gave me plenty of chances to visit Pisa, both on my own and showing visitors around.
Sometimes driving was just handier, so over time we found a free parking area, although it's a bit of a trek from the city center: Via Andrea Pisano.
As you can see on the map, it's quite far from the center, but we almost always managed to find a spot.
Alternatively, there are plenty of paid parking lots in Pisa. I've pinned one on the map right next to the Piazza dei Miracoli (that was always my backup plan).
By plane
Yes, Pisa has its own airport! 😉
And it's linked to the city by a super cheap city bus that takes only about 15 minutes to run between the airport and the central train station.
Once you get to the station, just follow the bus signs. If you can, buy your ticket at the airport info desk—it'll be cheaper.
By boat
By boat? Yes, unfortunately so.
And I say unfortunately because a major source of crowds in Pisa is the nearby port of Livorno, where mammoth cruise ships dock almost daily, sending massive crowds packed into buses straight into Pisa.
I'm not really into traditional cruise ships. You can tell, right? 😅
Where to sleep
While living in Genoa, I only ever did day trips to Pisa; in other words, I never stayed the night.
So, I can't really recommend (or advise against) any specific place to stay. But I'm sure you'll find something that suits you among the hotel deals on Booking or shared apartments on Airbnb.
Useful links
- Official website for the historic complex of Piazza dei Miracoli (tickets).
- Trenitalia.
- Hotels in Pisa.
- Flights to Pisa: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
- 5% discount when booking your travel insurance with IATI.
On a road trip around Italy? Then you might also like:
- Photo road trip through Tuscany.
- Florence in a weekend.
- Exploring the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre.
- Discover the charms of Camogli.
- What to do in Rome.
- Venice in low season.
- Road trip through Umbria, have you been?
- Thermal baths in Lake Garda.
- Romantic getaway to Lake Como.
- Amalfi Coast itinerary.
Map
So, what do you think? Do you agree with me that Pisa is way more than just a leaning tower?
Tell me in the comments below!