Is Pisa Worth Visiting? 11 Reasons to Visit Pisa
I may be a bit biased, but for me, Pisa is totally worth visiting! You can visit the main attractions in less than a day but there is even more to explore beyond the leaning tower and the rest of the piazza. You can find a lot of delicious places to eat that aren’t just tourist traps and there are also parks and a great botanical garden. It is a city full of hidden gems as well as free and affordable activities.
Pisa makes a great day trip from large cities like Florence. At only about 1 hour away from Florence by train, it is easy to visit Pisa in one day, and you could even squeeze in Lucca to your itinerary if you wanted. Lucca is another beautiful town 30 minutes away from Pisa by train.
Why Visiting Pisa is Worth It:
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a classic Italian landmark
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is known across the world and is a quintessential landmark of Italy. Admittedly, because of this, it can be swarming with tourists. It is definitely worth a quick visit along with the duomo and baptistry. There is a grassy area near the baptistry where you can sit down and enjoy some relaxation. It makes a good place for a picnic.
It is possible to climb to the top of the tower, but you will need tickets. Look for the building across from the Duomo and there should be a large banner that says biglietti/tickets. This is where you can purchase tickets to go up the tower as well as gain entry to the other monuments in the square.
It is a great base for day trips
Pisa in itself is a great day trip from Florence, but there are other wonderful places to visit that are more accessible from Pisa. Some of these areas include Lucca, Cinque Terre, and Viareggio. It is closer to the beaches of Tuscany than other popular cities like Florence and Siena. Marina di Pisa is only a 20 minute bus ride, while Viareggio is less than 30 minutes away by train. So not only is visiting Pisa worth it, but it also is the perfect place to use as a starting point for other trips.
Cinque Terre is a very popular collection of small fishing villages made up of colorful buildings and stunning views. Lucca has an old city center filled with winding streets and adorable shops. It is surrounded by a wall that has been transformed into a treelined walking/biking/running path.
There is a great aperitivo culture
Visiting Pisa is worth it for this alone. There are numerous places to sit down for a drink and snack before heading for dinner. In the summer, there are several small bars set up along the banks of the Arno. Piazza Della Pera buzzes with pleasant conversations amongst friends enjoying an aperitivo. This piazza is great as it is not only peaceful but also has room for kids to play.
You can find a sampling of great places for aperitivo here.
The food
It is best to stay away from a lot of the restaurants close to the tower. They are not very high quality and the prices are higher when compared to restaurants away from the main attractions. It is best to venture off the beaten path when looking for something to eat or even for gelato.
If you know where to go, you can find delicious and high-quality food nearby. Some places include Il Bastione, La Taverna, and Al Medina. If you are vegetarian, it is typically easy to find something on the menu or ask the servers if they can make you something that caters to your dietary needs. We love the pizza and have even found a favorite falafel place in Piazza Garibaldi.
The museums
It may not seem like it at first glance, but Pisa actually has several very interesting and fun museums. From art to maritime history, there are several options for you to visit. Palazzo Blu is an art museum that hosts special exhibits along with their permanent exhibits. The Navi di Pisa Museum exhibits 8 different sections that show over 1,000 years of naval history. You will learn of trading routes, see the evidence of shipwrecks, and much more.
Other museums include the Museum of Opera del Duomo which is home to different art and artifacts from the Duomo and baptistry. The museum of Saint Mathew is popular for its art from medieval times, some of which was created by famous Tuscan artists. The Natural History Museum is located outside of the city but I highly recommend it if you have the time. Visiting Pisa is worth the trip for the museums alone!
It only takes one day to explore most of the city
Pisa is not a large city and most places most people want to visit are relatively close together. To see the Field of Miracles (where the tower is located), enjoy good gelato, and visit a museum or two, you would not need much more than a day. Many people even combine seeing Pisa with Lucca, another nearby and fun city.
You can find amazing gelato
Some of the best gelato I have had in Tuscany has been in Pisa. To see my favorite gelaterias check this post out. Rufus is probably my personal favorite, plus it is located a little bit off the beaten path but still not too far from the tower and main streets.
You can walk the city walls
It isn’t in every city that you can walk on top of their ancient walls. This is an affordable activity and there are 4 different access points around the city. One of which is near the leaning tower.
Visit the oldest academic botanical garden
Located next to the Field of Miracles the university’s botanical garden has views of the leaning tower as well as greenhouses and walking paths lined with different plants.
If you are visiting with your dog, there is no need to worry as they are welcomed into the garden. The only place dogs are not allowed is one of the buildings which has old wax models of different plants and their life cycles.
Walking the streets and venturing along the Arno River
One of our favorite things to do in a new city or village is to explore the streets. You never know what you may come across, may it be a small osteria, shop, or even just the peace of being off the beaten path.
There are sidewalks on either side of the Arno that you can follow. Toward Ponte Victoria, there is a beautiful riverside park that has a paved path lined with trees. It is my mom’s favorite place to walk when she is visiting. During the summer, there are several small bars that pop up along the shores of the river where you can enjoy a drink or two.
Cheap and accessible airport
If you are looking for cheap flights in or out of Italy, visiting Pisa is definitely worth it. The Pisa International Airport has flights that depart all around Europe as well as other continents (such as Africa). You can find cheap flights that are both international and national. Using sites such as skyscanner.com will help you find these more affordable flights.
The airport itself can easily be accessed by the Pisa Mover which travels between the airport and Pisa centrale (train station). It is so close that we actually can walk to it from the center of Pisa. Pisa’s train station is very close to the center of the city.
Visiting Pisa is worth it
Whether it’s just a day trip or your home base while visiting Tuscany, Pisa is a great little city to visit. It is full of things to do besides just the famous leaning tower. Depending on what you wish to see, it can even be a half-day excursion combined with Lucca. Visit for the tower, and stay for the atmosphere.
