Key Facts About Pisa, Italy

📍 Location

Pisa is located in Tuscany, in central-western Italy, about 20 minutes from the Ligurian Sea and roughly 1 hour from Florence by train.

🏛️ Why Visit?

While world-famous for the Leaning Tower, Pisa offers much more: a rich history as a former maritime republic, gorgeous piazzas, Romanesque churches, a lively student population, and scenic river views. It’s a great day trip or base for exploring western Tuscany.

🎯 Top Attractions

• Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente) – Iconic bell tower known for its tilt

• Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) – A UNESCO World Heritage site housing the Tower, Cathedral (Duomo), Baptistery, and Camposanto Monumentale

• Museo dell’Opera del Duomo – Artifacts and sculpture from the cathedral complex

• Santa Maria della Spina – Small Gothic church on the Arno River

• Borgo Stretto – Pisa’s elegant medieval street with cafes, boutiques, and arches

• Keith Haring’s "Tuttomondo" Mural – A surprising pop-art find in historic surroundings

🍝 Local Food to Try

• Pisan-style baccalà (salt cod)

• Cecina – A savory chickpea flour pancake

• Torta co’ bischeri – A local chocolate and rice tart

• Pappa al pomodoro – A thick bread and tomato soup

• Local wines from the surrounding Tuscan hills

🛌 Where to Stay

• Hotel Bologna – Central, charming, and walkable to key sites

• Relais dei Fiori – A boutique stay with vintage Tuscan charm

• NH Pisa – Directly opposite the train station for convenience

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

• Spring (April–June) and Fall (September–October) – Ideal for pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds

• Summer (July–August) – Busy and hot, but full of local energy

• December – Visit during the Luminara di Santa Ranieri light festival (June too!)

🚆 How to Get There

• By train – 1 hour from Florence or 25 mins from Lucca

• By air – Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA) is just 5 mins from town

• By car – Ideal if you’re road-tripping through Tuscany, but parking can be tricky

💡 Travel Tips

• Buy timed tickets for the Leaning Tower in advance — it books out quickly

• Combine Pisa with Lucca or the Tuscan coast in one day

• Walk along the Lungarno for river views and local life

• Climb the Leaning Tower — yes, it’s safe! — for iconic city views

• Arrive early or visit late in the day to avoid heavy tour crowds