Things to do in Pisa: The 21 Best Places to Visit and Highlights

You’re going to visit Pisa during your next trip and you’re looking for the best things to do?

You’re at the right place!

During your stay, you will of course discover the city’s best places to visit such as the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but also hidden gems of this beautiful Italian city.

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared this guide of the best things to do in Pisa, with all the must-see attractions and points of interest.

At the end of the article, you will also find itineraries to visit Pisa in 1, 2 or 3 days as well as my suggestions of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in Pisa? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

Visiting Pisa: All Must-See Attractions

1. Piazza dei Miracoli

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Piazza dei Miracoli is a must-see in Pisa.

Also known as Square of Miracles or Piazza del Duomo, it’s home to the majority of the city’s landmarks.

There, you’ll be able to admire some of the city’s most beautiful historical and religious buildings, such as:

• Leaning Tower of Pisa: the famous leaning tower is one of the most visited monuments in Italy. I’ll give you all the historical and practical information you need to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa a bit below (point #2)
• Pisa Cathedral, right next to the tower. For more info, see section #3 of this article.
• The Baptistery (point #4 of this Pisa guide)
• Camposanto (point #5)
• Synopia Museum (point #6)
• Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo (point #7)

Pisa’s tourist office is also located in Piazza dei Miracoli. You should go there to pick up a map of the city.

2. The Tower of Pisa

Visiting Pisa without seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower, or going to London without passing by Big Ben: unthinkable!

The Leaning Tower is Pisa’s main tourist attraction, and you’ll soon realize this when you arrive in the Piazza dei Miracoli, the city’s busiest square.

Everywhere you look, you’ll see people looking for the perfect spot to take the famous photo of the tower being held up with their hands! And you’ll obviously try to do the same, otherwise it’s no fun! 😅

Depending on where you stand, you’ll see that the tower appears more or less tilted.

For the record, construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in 1173 and remained upright for only 5 years. By 1178, when only the first three floors had been built, it was already beginning to lean.

The other floors were then built specifically to try and compensate for the tilt, but the tower inexorably continued to lean more and more over the centuries.

To this day, we still don’t know whether this is due to a construction fault or to soft ground, but there is a difference of almost 4 metres between the top and the vertical.

It has been renovated and closed several times in an attempt to limit the damage, and its subsidence has now been stabilized.

Today, it is possible to climb the 8 floors and 293 steps of the Leaning Tower of Pisa to reach the top floor, at 56-metre-high.

The site houses the cathedral’s bells (the tower having been built as the cathedral’s campanile), but above all offers a 360° view of the Piazza dei Miracoli and its various monuments, as well as of the city itself.

Climbing up the narrow spiral staircase and walking around the top of the tower is quite a strange experience, as you really realize how much the tower is inclined!

3. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Pisa

Also located in Piazza dei Miracoli, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is Pisa’s other must-see monument.

Part of the UNESCO-listed group of monuments, its construction began in 1063, founded by booty brought back from Pisan expeditions to Sicily, particularly Palermo. It was consecrated in 1118.

The exterior is Romanesque, with alternating white and darker marble slabs. This style, known as the “Pisan style”, is found on many other buildings in Tuscany, including Florence Cathedral and Siena Cathedral.

The interior of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption features 5 naves, each 100 meters long. It houses a large mosaic depicting Christ and a 14th-century pulpit sculpted by Giovanni Pisano, considered the masterpiece of the place.

4. Pisa’s Baptistery of St. John

The Baptistery of St. John is another top tourist attractions in Pisa.

It stands opposite the entrance to the cathedral.

The base of the building, which began construction in 1152, is in the Pisan Romanesque style, while from the second floor upwards, the style is more Gothic. With a circumference of 107 meters, it is no less than the largest baptistery in Italy!

Its sober interior is renowned for its incredible acoustics. Every 30 minutes, a guard demonstrates the echo of the building.

5. The Camposanto monumentale

During your stay in Pisa and your visit to the Piazza dei Miracoli, you can also discover the Camposanto.

Located to the north of Piazza dei Miracoli, this monumental cemetery is built in the form of a cloister, with a garden surrounded by arched galleries

Built in 1278, it houses several tombs belonging to the city’s upper classes. As in some cathedrals, the graves are on the ground and you’ll be walking on them, so don’t forget to look down to see the ornaments.

The cemetery walls are also adorned with large 14th-century frescoes, some of which are currently being restored. Many of them were badly damaged by a fire caused by a bomb that exploded on the roof during the Second World War.

Surprisingly, the place is very quiet, you will feel far from the crowds that line the square just a few meters away!

It would be a shame not to visit, especially if you’ve bought the combined ticket with all the Piazza dei Miracoli monuments.

6. The Sinopie Museum

Let’s continue this guide of Pisa with the Sinopie Museum.

As I mentioned above, the Camposanto frescoes were partially destroyed by the cemetery fire. But thanks to a special method known as “a strappo“, the rest of the frescoes could be peeled away from the walls to be preserved and restored later.

Once these frescoes had been removed, the walls revealed sinopia, the original drawings of the frescoes, remarkably well preserved.

The sinopie museum brings these sketches together, allowing visitors to learn a little more about the fresco-making process.

Entrance to the museum is included in the combined ticket, so it doesn’t cost you anything to visit it. The visit is quick and will be of particular interest to art lovers.

7. Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo

Also on the Piazza dei Miracoli, you will find the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.

Renovated recently, it houses a collection of statues and paintings from the various monuments in the complex.

You should really visit it, especially since it’s also included in the Piazza dei Miracoli combined ticket.

And if you want to have a drink, you can go to the café located on the 1st floor. It offers a nice view over the leaning tower of Pisa!

8. Take a walk on the ramparts of Pisa

Wondering what to do in Pisa after visiting the Piazza del Duomo?

So you should take a stroll along the ramparts that surround the city of Pisa!

With a total length of 3 km, the route along the top of the ramparts allows you to contemplate the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Tower of Pisa from another angle. You’ll enjoy lovely views of the monuments, without the crowds!

The best place to start is at the Torre Santa Maria, on the Piazza dei Miracoli. It’s just to the north, to the right of the entrance to the Baptistery.

Access to the ramparts costs just 3€.

You can walk all the way to the Torre di Legno (not far from the Giardino Scotto), or exit early at Torre Piezometrica or Piazza delle Gondole .

Opening times can be found on the official website.

9. Piazza dei Cavalieri

The Piazza dei Cavalieri is the other must-see square in Pisa.

It has long been the center of political power and was home to numerous institutions during the Medici era.

The Piazza dei Cavalieri is home to several buildings:

• Palazzo della Carovana: built in 1562, it was the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen. Today it houses the students of the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, founded by Napoleon.
• Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri church, featuring a white marble façade
• The Palazzo del Orologio, made up of two tower-houses, once a hospice and prison. It now houses the school library
• Palazzo della Canonica, another of the school’s buildings.

Leave the square via Via Ulisse Dini to enjoy a lovely view of the Palazzo del Podesta, and you’ll arrive in the Borgo Stretto.

10. The Borgo Stretto

Let’s now talk about the Borgo Stretto.

Lying between Piazza dei Cavalieri and the banks of the Arno, it’s the perfect place to take a stroll while discovering an authentic and typical district.

Considered to be Pisa’s old town, it’s a lively place, full of small boutiques, bars and restaurants. So just have a walk along the pedestrian streets,  and stop for a drink or a coffee on of the numerou café terrace.

In this district, you can also find a popular morning market taking place at Piazza delle Vettovaglie.

Leaving the alleys to the south, you’ll come across Piazza Garibaldi, right on the river’s edge.

11. Churches to see in Pisa

Pisa is famous for its numerous beautiful churches.

Here are my favorites:

• Santa Maria della Spina: this tiny marble church stands on the left bank of the Arno. Gothic in style, the elaborate exterior features numerous statues and sculptures.
• The church of San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno, nicknamed the Old Cathedral, it was used as a cathedral before the Duomo was completed.
• Church of St. Catherine: built in 1251, it houses a beautiful altarpiece that can be seen in the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo
• Church of San Zeno: dating from 1029, this church was part of an abbey run by the Benedictines.

12. Corso Italia

Where to go in Pisa if you’re in the mood for shopping?

Corso Italia, from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (opposite the railway station) to Ponte di Mezzo (towards Piazza Garibaldi).

Here you’ll find the stores of major international brands such as H&M, Zara and Benetton.

13. Other museums to visit in Pisa

During your trip to Pisa, you can take some time to visit the city’s museums:

• Museo Nazionale San Matteo: housed in a former convent, its collection includes paintings by great Pisan and Tuscan artists. Also worth seeing are marble sculptures and ceramics from the Middle Ages. Entrance fee: 5€.
• The National Museum of the Royal Palace features a collection of private works by the House of Medici and Savoy. Open every day except Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can visit the Royal Palace Museum and the San Matteo Museum with a combined ticket for 8€.
• Palazzo Blu: recognizable by its blue facade, the palace houses a permanent exhibition of paintings and also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions. The second floor is devoted to the reconstruction of a late 19th-century aristocratic apartment. Ticket price: 3€.

14. Giardino Scotto / Cittadella Nuova

Giardino Scotto is located on the banks of the Arno river, not far from Corso Italia and Pisa Centrale train station.

This ancient fortress houses a public park within its walls. It’s perfect get away from the crowds and enjoy the peace and quiet.

The park has a children playground and an open-air cinema, which can be a great option if you don’t know what to do in the evening in Pisa. Films and screening dates are posted at the Giardino Scotto entrance.

15. The Tutto Mondo fresco

Now that you have seen most of the best places to visit in Piza, you go admire the city’s most famous fresco: Tutto Mondo.

It’s located on Piazzetta Keith Haring, close to the railway station and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.

This street art work by Keith Haring, created in 1989, features several colorful characters and animals intended to represent world peace. It was painted on the rear façade of the church of Sant’Antonio Abate.

It’s not the most exceptional fresco I’ve ever seen, and it didn’t particularly catch my eye, but you can have a look at it after your shopping session on Corso Italia or on your way to/from the station.

In this list of things to do in Pisa, you may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned the botanical garden of the University of Pisa. I haven’t forgotten it, but I don’t really recommend you to go there.

It may be one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, but it’s a bit neglected and thus not really worth a vist.

The 5 best things to do around Pisa

Now that you know all the best places to visit in Pisa, let’s talk about the best things to do in the city’s surroundings!

There are many beautiful towns and villages to visit in Tuscany, all easily accessible by train from Pisa. Perfect to plan a nice itinerary in Italy!

16. Lucca

Lucca is the ideal destination for a day trip around Pisa.

The town is only 30 minutes by train from Pisa, and the round trip costs less than 10€! For fares and timetables, you should check Omio.com website.

This ancient fortidied city, even if less famous than its neighbors Florence and Siena, is a really charming place.

Here are the best places to visit in Lucca:

• Guinigi Tower: the symbol of the city, with a hanging garden at the top. You can climb to the top for €4 and enjoy the view over Lucca
• The Clock Tower, the city’s highest tower, which you can also climb. It’s located right next to Guinigi
• Piazza dell’Anfiteatro (amphitheater square), built on the ruins of an ancient amphitheater, hence its elliptical shape
• The house museum of Giacomo Puccini, one of Lucca’s most famous opera composers
• Explore the fortified walls on foot or by bike
• Discover churches such as the Cathedral of San Martino di Lucca and the Basilica of San Frediano. Lucca is nicknamed “the city of 100 churches”.
• Wander through the cobbled streets of the historic center.

17. Florence

I can’t talk about the best things to do around Pisa without mentioning Florence!

The city is only 1 hour by train from Pisa, so it’s super easy to get there. Just like for Lucca, you can check the train schedules and prices on Omio website.

In Florence, you shouldn’t miss:

• Florence Cathedral, where you can climb the 400+ steps to the top of Brunelleschi dome for a panoramic view of the entire city and its emblematic monuments
• The Accademia gallery, home to Michelangelo’s famous masterpiece: The David, a mythical sculpture over 4 meters high.
• The Uffizi Gallery and its incredible collection of paintings by Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci
• Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
• Santa Croce Basilica, the largest Franciscan basilica in the world. Michelangelo is buried here.
• Ponte Vecchio and its gold jewelry boutiques
• Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria
• Piazzale Michelangelo: the best-known belvedere, perfect to admire the view over the city.

To plan your stay in Florence, you should read my dedicated article: The 27 best things to do in Florence

18. Siena

Another beautiful Tuscan town close to Pisa is Siena, located only 1h40 away by train (schedules and prices here).

Here are the best places to visit in Siena:

• Siena’s magnificent cathedral, located on Piazza del Duomo. The interior is a must-see: the mosaic floors and paintings are exceptional. It’s clearly one of the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve ever seen!
• Piazza del Campo, a huge square lined with restaurants on one side and the Palazzo Pubblico on the other
• The Torre de Mangia: you can climb to the top to admire the view
• Fortezza Medicea, offering a great view over the Cathedral and Palazzo Pubblico.

I give you all the details to organize your visit to Siena in my other article: The 20 best things to do in Siena.

From Pisa, you can also visit Siena with an all included day trip. It includes:

• Bus transportation
• Tour guide
• Visit to San Gimignano
• Lunch
• Guided tour of Siena
• Wine tasting in a Chianti vineyard.

This tour is perfect to discover the best of Tuscany in a day! You need to book it by clicking on the button below:

19. Cinque Terre

Around Pisa, you should really go on a day trip to the Cinque Terre.

These 5 small villages, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are among the most visited places in the region.

Located by the sea and built on steep terrain, they are famous for their colorful houses surrounded by terraced vineyards. You will see, they are even more beautiful when see in real than on pictures!

The easiest way to get there is to take the train from Pisa to La Spezia (1h20 journey). You need to book your train ticket in advance on Omio.com.

From there, you can take another train that stops at the 5 villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

You should get the 1-day train pass sold in La Spezia for 16€, as it gives you unlimited travel. You can stop at any village, visit, and take another train to go to the next village.

You can also enjpoy the hiking trails that link the 5 villages together, as they offer splendid views over the villages, the vineyards and the sea. Some are sometimes closed, but you’ll be given a list of the open ones when you will purchase your ticket at La Spezia.

And if you don’t want to bother with organization and just want to make the most of your visit, you can opt for an organized day trip to visit Cinque Terre.

From Pisa, you’ll reach Portovenere, then take the train or boat to Cinque Terre. The program includes visits to Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso.

You need to book your day trip to Cinque Terre by clicking on the green button below:

To learn everything you need to know to plan your visit to Cinque Terre, you should read my dedicated article: The ultimate guide to visiting Cinque Terre.

20. Volterra

Volterra is also located not far from Pisa, in Tuscany.

Perched on a hill, this medieval town offers beautiful views over the surrounding countryside, and its historic center is well worth a visit.

Here are the must-sees in Volterra:

• Piazza dei Priori, the town’s main square. Stop by the tourist office to pick up a map of Volterra.
• Volterra’s 11th-century Santa Maria Assunta cathedral
• The ruins of the Roman amphitheatre
• Etruscan walls and Porta dell’Arco
• The Guarnaci Etruscan Museum with its thousands of funerary urns
• Palazzo Viti, turned into a museum and featuring really nice period furniture.

How many days to visit Pisa?

One full day is enough to visit Pisa’s main places of interest.

If you have planned a stay of 2 days or more, you can take advantage of this time to visit the surrounding area.

To help your organize your visits, I have written itineraries to visit Pisa and the surrounding area in 1 or 2 days:

Visit Pisa in 1 day

If you’re planning to spend a day in Pisa, here’s the perfect itinerary to discover the best of the city:

• Start at Piazza dei Miracoli
• Climb the leaning tower of Pisa
• Visit the other monuments: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Sinopie Museum and the Camposanto
• Pass by Piazza dei Cavalieri
• Discover the authentic Borgo Stretto district
• If you’re interested in museums, visit the Palazzo Blu, the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo or the Museo Nazionale del Palazzo Reale (all on the outskirts of Borgo Stretto)
• Visit the Church of Santa Maria della Spina
• Shopping on Corso Italia
• See the Tutto Mondo fresco

Visit Pisa in 2 days

For a 2-day stay in Pisa, for the 1st day, you can do the itinerary I mentioned above.

The next day, you should explorie the city surroundings!

For a day trip (going back to Pisa for he night), you should opt for one of these 2:

• Cinque Terre
• Lucca

To visit Florence, Siena and Volterra, it’s best to plan to spend at least 1 night in these cities.

Where to stay in Pisa

Pisa is a small town, so you’ll find it easy to visit on foot, no matter which district you choose to stay in. In any case, you’ll be close to places of interest and the train station (for day trips or if you want to continue your trip in another city).

Just so you know: in Pisa, even in good hotels, you shouldn’t expect a modern decoration, it’s often quite vintage 😅

Here’s my selection of places to stay in Pisa:

• Hotel La Pace: Located 100 meters away from the train station and 20 minutes’ walk from the tower. Double room with period wooden furniture from €70, breakfast €9. Strong points: comfortable rooms, excellent breakfast. My favorite for its excellent value for money!
• Hotel Roma: Located just 100 meters from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Double room with view of the tower or cathedral from €85, breakfast included. Strong points: the garden, proximity to the Piazza dei Miracoli, good breakfast.
• Hotel Bologna: Located 5 minutes from the station and 15 minutes’ walk from the Leaning Tower. Warm, colorful double rooms from €105, breakfast included. Strong points: great welcome, excellent breakfast buffet, comfortable room, parking.
• Grand Hotel Duomo: Just a 2-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo. Double room overlooking the monumental complex from €105, breakfast included. Strong points: panoramic roof terrace, friendly staff, good and varied breakfast. An excellent choice of accommodation close to the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
• Hotel Pisa Tower: Located 50 meters from the Piazza dei Miracoli. Spacious, bright double room from €115, breakfast included. Strong points: pleasant breakfast terrace, hotel setting, friendly staff.
• Il Giardino Dei Semplici: This B&B is a 5-minute walk from Piazza dei Miracoli. Modern, comfortable double rooms from €125, breakfast from €8. Strong points: warm welcome, comfortable rooms, quiet, excellent location. The best choice for an upscale stay in Pisa!

Where to eat in Pisa

A trip to Pisa, and to Italy in general, also means taking the time to sample some excellent Italian cuisine.

• I porci comodi: located at 4 via l’Arancino. The best place in Pisa to enjoy an excellent board of Italian cured meats and cheeses! Delicious and reasonably priced. And don’t forget the sandwiches and panini with quality ingredients.
• Gusto Giusto: The restaurant is located in Via del Borghetto. It’s another place to eat excellent sandwiches made with typical products. For €5, you can compose your own sandwich with cured meats, cheeses and pickled vegetables.
• Il Pizzomane: Located away from the tourist sites, go to this restaurant if you’re in the mood for a delicious pizza. They’re hearty, reasonably priced and the staff is super friendly.
• La Cantini di Tipi: After sandwiches and pizzas, this restaurant is the perfect place to try a pasta dish, another Italian must! Fresh produce, homemade dishes and desserts, low prices, a warm welcome: you’re sure to have a great time!

How to get to Pisa

Pisa has an international airport close to the tourist attractions.

Once there, you can quickly reach the city center:

• By bus: the E25 crosses the city and takes you directly to the Piazza dei Miracoli
• By train: take the “Pisamover” shuttle bus from the airport exit to the central train station (10-minute journey). From there, you can walk to your hotel, or take another train to Pisa Rossore station, right next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• On foot: it’s only 3.5 km from the airport to reach the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

As flight prices to Pisa vary greatly, it’s a good idea to check them as soon as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner. You’re sure to get the best price!

Tourist map of Pisa

To help you visualize the city a bit better, I’ve put together a tourist map of Pisa listing the places to visit that I mention in this top 20 things to do in Pisa.

You can view the map legend by clicking on the button in the top left-hand corner with the little arrow.

And you, what do you plan to do in Pisa?

If you have any questions about planning your visit, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below!

Italy travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling in Italy? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Italy: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Italy are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to do in Italy – All the must-see places!

• Itinerary: One Week in Tuscany – The perfect itinerary to visit Tuscany in 6, 7 or 8 days

• Cinque Terre: The definitive guide to plan your visit
• Florence: The 27 best things to do and must-see attractions
• Milan: The Top 15 things to do in the city and around
• Pisa: Top 21 must-see attractions + Tips
• Rome: The 25 best things to do and see
• Siena: Top 20 best places to visit
• Turin: The 20 must-see attractions
• Venice: The 31 best things to do (+ Tips)

• 2 days in Florence
• 3 days in Florence
• 4 days in Florence
• 5 days in Florence

• 2 days in Milan
• 3 days in Milan
• 4 days in Milan

• 2 Days in Rome – How to visit Rome in 48h
• 3 Days in Rome – The best itinerary to visit Rome in 72h
• 4 Days in Rome – The best places to visit in 4 days
• 5 Days in Rome – How to spend 5 days in Rome
• 6 Days in Rome – The ultimate Itinerary + Where to stay
• One week in Rome – The perfect 7-day itinerary

• 2 Days in Venice – An Epic 48h itinerary
• 3 Days in Venice – The perfect 72h itinerary
• 4 Days in Venice – Itinerary + Best Things to do + Tips

• Where to stay in Milan? My guide to the best areas and hotels for a perfect stay
• Where to stay in Rome? – The definitive guide of the best areas!
• Where to stay in Venice? My selection of the best hotels and districts for an epic stay

• Omnia Card: The definitive guide

• Colosseum: The 7 best skip the line tickets
• Trevi Fountain: History, Secrets and Facts
• Rome’s Hidden Gems: The Definitive Guide with 17 secret spots!
• The 20 Best museums in Rome – With all my best tips!

• Rome in May: The definitive guide to plan your visit: weather, things to do, itineraries and more!
• Rome in June: Guide + All my best tips

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