8 Best Day Trips From Pisa, Italy

Thinking about visiting Pisa and wondering what convenient day trips it may offer by way of train? Then you are in luck! There are many great options and here we will go over some of the best day trips from Pisa. 

There are many great day trips from Pisa that can be enjoyed via the train. You may wish for a day by the sea or a journey into the region’s art capital, there is sure to be a day trip from Pisa for everyone to enjoy. 

We love traveling by train for several reasons other than the fact that we don’t have a car. For one thing, we don’t have to pay for gas, find parking, or navigate the roads. We use Trainline to find prices and book tickets for almost all of our trains. 

Cinque Terre

This day trip from Pisa brings you to the seaside. Cinque Terre is made up of five separate fishing villages consisting of colorful buildings, quaint restaurants, and lively streets. Bustling during the summer months, Cinque Terre is stunning and it is easy to see why it is so popular. The villages include Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. 

There are trails that connect the villages, so those who like to hike can enjoy a good trek. If you choose this route, be sure to check that the trails are open as some have been closed for various reasons such as mudslides. In addition to hiking, there is a ferry that travels between four of the five villages and a train that stops at each village. The time between each village via the train is only a couple of minutes making it very convenient to see them all in one day! 

Are you thinking of hiking in Cinque Terre? Here is a helpful post. 

Getting There By Train

Pisa Centrale → Cinque Terre (any of the villages) 

From Pisa Centrale, you will have one transfer in La Spezia. In La Spezia, you will take a regional train directly to Cinque Terre. 

Time to Monterosso: approximately 1.25-2 hours depending on the trains

Florence

One of the most visited cities in Italy, Florence is a can’t miss stop on your Tuscan adventure. A day trip from Pisa is easy, but I would recommend spending at least a couple of days in the city if possible. 

Art is a huge part of Florence, it is the home of Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. The Duomo is a masterpiece covered in intricate carvings and three different colored marble from different parts of Tuscany. 

Ponte Vecchio is a famed bridge that is purely for pedestrian traffic and is bordered on either side by shops featuring gold jewelry. Museums such as the Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery are filled with pieces by world-famous Italian artists. 

Enjoy a day or two filled with history, great food, and beautiful scenery.

Getting there by train

Pisa Centrale → Santa Maria Novella

Time – Approximately 1 hour

Siena

This incredible city has maintained its medieval charm as it remained untouched by the war. Siena’s historic center is perfect for a day trip from Pisa or even for a couple of days. The Duomo is stunning both inside and outside and definitely deserves some of your time. 

The main piazza is one of the most unique in Italy. Piazza del Campo slopes down toward the town hall and resembles the shape of a seashell. On sunny days you can find people laying out and enjoying the sunshine. Twice a year Siena hosts a horse race in the piazza, Palio di Siena. 

One of the best things to do in Siena is to just wander the streets and discover beautiful views, hidden gems, and unique architecture. 

Here is a helpful post on visiting Siena in one day. 

Getting there by train

Pisa Centrale → Siena (one change in Empoli)

Time – Approximately 1.75 hours 

Lucca

An easy day trip from Pisa, Lucca is one of our favorites. The historic center is surrounded by some of the oldest intact walls in all of Italy. The top of the walls has been converted into a beautiful walking/biking path lined with large trees on either side. 

Inside the center, you will find plenty of shopping, numerous historic churches, and quiet side streets perfect for exploring. 

The botanical garden is a quiet place with a pond filled with lilies and turtles. You can also climb to the top of Guingi Tower which is easy to spot with its olive trees growing from the top. Stop for a quiet meal or aperitivo and just enjoy the quintessential Italian atmosphere. 

If you are wondering if this day trip from Pisa is truly worth it, check out this post. 

Getting there by train

Pisa Centrale → Lucca

Time – Approximately 30 minutes

Viareggio

Are you visiting Pisa and hoping for a beach day? Viareggio is one very popular beach destination and is easily accessible as a day trip from Pisa. 

Viareggio has large sandy beaches bordering the Tyrrhenian seaside. Much of the beach is covered by private beach loungers and umbrellas that are available for rent. You can also find sections of the beach that are available for public use.

If you are ready to leave the beach, Viareggio has a boardwalk lined with many shops and restaurants. There is a lively nightlife and it is known for its Carnivale festival. 

Getting there by train

Pisa Centrale → Viareggio

Time – approximately 20 minutes

Pietrasanta 

A day trip to Pietrasanta from Pisa is more than doable with just a short train ride. It is a quaint village filled with art installations. There are numerous art galleries, wine bars, shops, and restaurants to enjoy. 

Spend a couple of hours exploring and enjoying the different churches and art around every corner. 

Getting there by train

Pisa Centrale → Pietrasanta

Time – approximately 27 minutes

Marina di Pisa

This small seaside village is an easy day trip from Pisa via bus. It is one of our go-to places to visit for a day by the sea as it is so close and the water is beautiful. The beaches are nearly all public and there are few private areas to rent chairs and umbrellas. 

Beware that the beaches consist of stones and can be a bit treacherous on bare feet. I recommend water shoes and maybe some padding for laying out. We have started to bring our yoga mats. 

In the summer the restaurants are bustling and there are many cafes where you can stop for a coffee or other refreshment. On the weekends there are also markets to wander through. 

There is a bike path that leads to Marina di Pisa if you are feeling ambitious. It is a flat ride that brings you directly to the village. 

Getting there by bus

The best recommendation I can make is to look up the nearest stop to you on Google Maps or Apple Maps. These should show you the timetables as well. 

Time – approximately 20 minutes

Castiglioncello

Castiglioncello is a scenic day trip from Pisa as it is not only close by but because it is also so easy to navigate from the train station. When you arrive, you can cross the road and already be in a park that borders the seaside cliffs. There are stunning views as well as little beaches where you can lay out to enjoy the sun and waves. 

We enjoyed wandering the backstreets and seeing all of the flowers and discovering little paths that lead down to the sea. 

If you enjoy vegan food there is a great vegan restaurant also near the station, Fito. I love the peaceful atmosphere along with the tasty food and wine. 

Pisa as a home base

Making the quiet city of Pisa into your home base while in Tuscany, at least for a couple of days, is totally worth it. There are many great day trips from Pisa that you can enjoy and are a bit closer than if you stayed in Florence. 

Happy travels!