This list of places to see in Pisa It is designed for travelers who do not want to miss any of the attractions of one of the oldest and most famous cities in Italy.
This small city, which runs perfectly in one day, is known throughout the world for its Leaning Tower located in the no less impressive Piazza dei Miracoli, although beyond this square and its fantastic buildings, we assure you that in a walk through its streets, you will find a city with a beautiful historical center full of charming corners.
Based on the time we spent in the city during our trip to Florence in 5 days and on the trip to Cinque Terre, we have made a list of what we think, are the 10 essential places to visit in Pisa. We start!
1. The Leaning Tower
The Leaning Tower is one of the most visited monuments in Italy and one of the most essential places to see in Pisa. Actually, the tower is nothing more than the bell tower of the Duomo, since in Italy it is customary that it is not integrated into the church building.
The famous inclination of about 4 degrees began at the beginning of the construction in the year 1173, product of the clay soil and the shallow depth of the foundations and after 177 years, the construction of the 8-story tower and the bell tower ended, reaching a height of 55 meters.
In 1990 it was closed to stabilize the tower and prevent its fall, a process and some works that lasted for 20 years, reopening to the public in 2011.
As a curiosity, it is said that Galileo Galilei demonstrated one of his theories, throwing from the top of the tower two cannon balls.
To climb the tower and enjoy its views it is advisable to book the entrance in advance, having a limited number of daily visits. You can also try your luck and go to the ticket office very soon, just in front of the Tower, so that they give you time to climb during that same day.
A good option for a similar price is to book this entrance to the Leaning Tower with which you will avoid the long lines of the tower and the cathedral, especially in high season.
Visiting hours: every day from mid-June to August from 8am to 10pm. From April to mid-June from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other months from 9am to 6pm.
Pisa's leaning tower
2. The Cathedral
Located in the middle of the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Cathedral or Duomo, is another of the places to visit in Pisa more beautiful. This building, built in 1063 thanks to a spoils of war, stands out for its pristine white and gray marble facade and a huge solid bronze door.
Inside, clad in black and white marbles, you can see two rows of impressive Corinthian-style columns from Elba Island and a wooden ceiling, mosaics, decorations and its great jewel, Giovanni Pisano's pulpit, which make It is worth entering and spending an hour enjoying this amazing art show.
A good option to know the history of the cathedral and Piazza dei Miracoli is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish.
Visiting hours: every day from April to October from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The rest of the months close around 5pm.
Pisa Cathedral
3. The Baptistero
The Baptistero, located in front of the Cathedral, is the largest in Italy and our favorite building in Pisa. With a height similar to that of the Leaning Tower and a diameter of 36 meters, this white marble building is a real wonder.
And although its interior could be considered sober, we assure you that it impresses both for its grandeur and for the octagonal baptismal font, placed in the center.
In addition to enjoying the interior acoustics, do not forget to climb some side stairs to the top of the Baptistero, from where you will have magnificent views of the Cathedral.
An interesting way to know the history of this building is to book this guided tour in Spanish that includes the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower.
Pisa Baptistery
4. Monumental Cemetery
The Cemetery or Monumental Cemetery, is the last of the monuments built in the Piazza dei Miracoli and another of the essential places to see in Pisa. Its construction began in 1278 and lasted until 1464 creating a Gothic cloister to house 84 sarcophagi from the Roman era.
Externally, the Cemetery impresses with its long marble wall with 42 blind arches and inside, in addition to the tombs, it is worth noting the magnificent frescoes painted on the walls.
Keep in mind that although it is a building that goes unnoticed by the beauty of the other three monuments of the square, the cemetery is a surprising visit and is highly recommended.
Monumental Cemetery, one of the places to see in Pisa
5. Piazza dei Miracoli
Piazza dei Miracoli or Piazza del Duomo, declared a World Heritage Site, is an attraction in itself. Old center of urban life, this group is recognized worldwide as one of the best examples of medieval art, in which in addition to the places mentioned above, a grassy and paved part, in which we recommend sit on the side, to enjoy the views of the 4 buildings and the beautiful fountain of the “Cherubim”.
Do not miss the fun spectacle of tourists trying to make the typical photo holding the Eiffel Tower.
Piazza dei Miracoli
Our recommended hotel in PisaWe stayed at the Hotel La Pace, located near the train station and a 20 minute walk from Piazza dei Miracoli. In addition to a good location, it has parking, a good breakfast and a great quality / price ratio.
6. Piazza dei Cavalieri, one of the places to see in Pisa
Piazza dei Cavalieri is the second most important square and one of the places to visit in Pisa in one day. In ancient times it was the political and civil center of the city until it became the headquarters of the military order of the Knights of St. Stephen. It is currently surrounded by important buildings such as the Palazzo della Carovana, the Palazzo dell'Orologio, the Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici and the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri as well as the statue of the Grand Duke Cosimo I de 'Medici, founder of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen, which can be seen in the center of the square.
A good option to know the history and not miss anything of Pisa is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish that includes the entrance to the Leaning Tower or book this private tour in which you choose what you want to visit.
Piazza dei Cavalieri
7. Church of Santa Maria della Spina
Walking along the bank of the Arno River you will find the Church of Santa Maria della Spina, one of the places to see in Pisa more beautiful and interesting.
This small Gothic church was built in 1230, although it had to be dismantled and rebuilt again in 1875 because of the instability of the land. The exterior marvels at its ornamentation with sculptures of Christ and the apostles and its interior, quite sober, stands out for the Gothic sculpture of the Virgen de la Rosa.
Church of Santa Maria della Spina
8. Corso Italia and Ponte di Mezzo
In the Ponte di Mezzo begins the commercial street par excellence of Pisa, Corso Italia. This street, which has several historic buildings, will take you to the Central Station while you entertain yourself looking at shop windows and enter one of its coffee shops.
Before starting the tour, we recommend you to enjoy the views of the colorful, Pisan-style houses, located on both banks of the Arno River, from the Ponte di Mezzo that showed the power of the most emblematic families of Pisa during the Middle Ages.
Arno river from the Ponte di Mezzo
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Historic center of Pisa
The best thing to discover the true essence of this ancient city is to get lost in its historic center, other places that are essential to see in Pisa.
You can start in Piazza delle Vettovaglie in which a fruit market is installed in the morning, or Piazza Garibaldi, one of the meeting points and with more atmosphere of the city.
During the tour you can enter one of the most interesting churches to see in Pisa such as Santa Caterina, San Paolo all'Orto, Santa Cecilia, or San Matteo that currently houses the National Museum.
Piazza Garibaldi, one of the places to visit in Pisa
10. Borgo Stretto
Borgo Stretto is the most charming alley in the historic center and another of the essential places to visit in Pisa.
This old street still maintains the medieval character with its rustic buildings of the fourteenth and fifteenth century and exclusive shops located within the arcades.
In addition to walking around the alley, you can not miss two of its best known corners: Salza pastry shop, which serves delicious chocolate and coffee cakes and the Ghibellina bookstore.
How to get to Pisa
To arrive to Pisa by plane, it is best to land at the Pisa Airport, located 3 kilometers away or at the Florence Airport, located 85 kilometers away.
If you land at Pisa Airport, you just have to take the train that will take you in 5 minutes to the central station for 1.50 euros.
In case of being in Florence, the best option by public transport to get to Pisa is the train from the Santa Maria Novella Station making a journey of one hour for a price lower than 9 euros.
If you have a day and are staying in Florence an interesting option to get to know the history of the city is to book this excursion to Pisa with a guide in Spanish in which you can include the entrance to the Leaning Tower and in which you will be picked up In your hotel.
Another good alternative from Florence is to book this excursion to Pisa, San Gimignano and Siena with a guide in Spanish, where you will meet two of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany.
For more information about the transfer you can consult this post on how to go from Florence to Pisa.
If you want to help us complete the list of 10 essential places to see in Pisa, add yours in the comments.
