Before you go

Your trip to Pisa.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Pisa – Toscana Destination Toscana about 85 km from Florença

How to get there

Aeroporto di Pisa Galileo Galilei (PSA) 3 km
Pisa Centrale 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before you buy. Pisa Airport is linked to Pisa Centrale station by the Pisa Mover, an automated shuttle of just a few minutes. From Roma or Milán, take a train to Florença; from there regional trains reach Pisa in about 1 hour. From the station to the tower is roughly 2 km, on foot or by city bus.

How many days

One day is enough for the Piazza dei Miracoli, including the climb of the tower, the Piazza dei Cavalieri and a walk along the lungarni. If you arrive at the airport you can use Pisa as a first stop and continue to Lucca the same day or the next, about half an hour by train.

When to go

April to June and September to October are usually the most pleasant months. In summer, from June to August, the Piazza dei Miracoli gets very crowded and hot around midday. On 16 June, the eve of the patron saint San Ranieri, the Luminara takes place, when the buildings along the Arno are lit with thousands of candles.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The center is flat and can be explored on foot, and the airport and train station are close. The historic center has a ZTL (limited traffic zone) closed to outside cars; if you arrive by car you should leave it in parking outside that zone.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Pisa

Morning
Tower and cathedral in the Piazza dei Miracoli
Start early at the Piazza dei Miracoli, with the climb of the Torre di Pisa at the time shown on your ticket. Then enter the cathedral, whose timed ticket is included with any other entrance to the square.
Afternoon
Batistério, Camposanto and museums
Have lunch near the square and return to the Battistero, where the guards often demonstrate the dome's echo, and to the Camposanto, with its frescoes. If you have energy left, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo displays the original sculptures from the monuments.
Late afternoon
Piazza dei Cavalieri and Borgo Stretto
Walk along Via Santa Maria to the Piazza dei Cavalieri, with the decorated façade of the Palazzo della Carovana. Continue under the arcades of the Borgo Stretto, the city's main shopping street, down to the river.
Evening
Lungarni and dinner
Cross the Ponte di Mezzo and walk along the lungarni to the little church of Santa Maria della Spina. Dinner begins around 19:30–20:00; the area around the Piazza delle Vettovaglie, the old market, hosts many osterias.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take from Pisa airport to the center?

A few minutes. The Pisa Mover links the airport to Pisa Centrale station. From the station the tower is about 2 km away, roughly a 25-minute walk across the center, or a few minutes by city bus or taxi.

Do I need to reserve the climb of the Torre di Pisa?

Yes, it is recommended. Entry to the tower is by timed ticket and group sizes are limited. Tickets are sold on the official website up to 90 days in advance and at the square's ticket offices while there is availability. Arrive before your slot to leave bags in the cloakroom.

Can you do a day trip from Florença to Pisa?

Yes. Regional trains depart frequently from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station and take about 1 hour to reach Pisa Centrale. Many people combine Pisa and Lucca in the same day, since the two are about half an hour apart by train.

Is Pisa more than just a photo with the tower?

Yes. The Piazza dei Miracoli also includes the cathedral, the baptistery with its echo and the Camposanto with medieval frescoes. Beyond the square, the Piazza dei Cavalieri, Borgo Stretto and the lungarni reveal the university city, which is calmer than the area around the tower.

Pisa or Lucca: where to stay?

Pisa is convenient for those arriving or departing via the airport. Lucca, half an hour by train, is quieter at night and offers a walk along its walls. Both work well as a first or last night in Tuscany.

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