Reasons You Should Visit Pisa, Italy, at Least Once in Your Life

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Building, Church

Everyone knows that Pisa has a tower and that the tower leans. This spectacular torre is located on Piazza dei Miracoli, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. After taking one of those essential tourist photos, climb to the top of the belltower. The stairway is made of almost 300 marble stairs, but the view is worth the effort. From the very top of the tower, it’s possible to admire a breathtaking view over the city, the Arno River, surrounding mountains and, on sunny days, the sea far in the distance.

Cathedral

Everyone comes here to see the tower, but Piazza dei Miracoli is also home to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy, the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta. This church is an excellent example of Roman-Pisan gothic architecture and is completely made of white marble. The contrast of colours between the white façade of the Duomo and the surrounding green grass is simply spectacular.

Building, Historical Landmark
The famous Italian scientist Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa in 1654, in the Ammannati House located on Via Giuseppe Giusti 24. Unfortunately, there is no museum, and the house is not open to the public, but you can take some pictures of the beautiful façade and, then, have a pleasant walk along Borgo Stretto, one of the oldest streets in Pisa.

University

Most tourists don’t know that Pisa is one of the most important college towns in Italy. The University of Pisa, founded in 1343, is one of the oldest and most highly respected in all of Europe. One of the favourite spots among students is Piazza dei Cavalieri, also home to one of the greatest universities in the world, the Scuola Normale Superiore, founded by Napoleon.

Art Gallery, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Tuttomondo is the name of the graffiti realised by Keith Haring in 1989 for the city of Pisa. 180sqm (1,940sqft) in size and located a few rides from the Central Station, on the south wall of the church of Sant’Antonio Abate, Tuttomondo represents peace and harmony in the world.

Church

On the opposite side of the Arno River from the Leaning Tower, there is Santa Maria della Spina, which is an amazing gothic church. This small church is simply spectacular, but, sadly, it’s closed to the public. Located near the riverbank, this is a perfect place for taking some stunning pictures.

Ice Cream Parlour, Ice Cream
Pisa is full of good ice cream shops, but the best of all is La Bottega del Gelato, a small gelateria located on Piazza Garibaldi, near the Arno River. There is nothing better than ordering an artisan gelato made with seasonal and fresh ingredients and, then, tasting it while strolling down the narrow cobblestoned streets of the town, admiring the buildings.

Architectural Landmark

Italians love markets of all kinds, but food markets are something they excel at. The old vegetable and fruit markets around Piazza delle Vettovaglie, one of the most frequented squares in Pisa, is a great stop if you want to buy some fresh food for a quick lunch or just to live an authentic Italian moment.

Natural Feature

There is something magical about the Arno, especially the sunsets. In Pisa, the river carves up the historic part of the city and is surrounded by colourful buildings and palaces. It is the perfect place to watch the sun go down and live a romantic moment with your partner. Don’t forget to take beautiful pictures to remember the view.

Train Station
Pisa is a very small town, so you can easily explore it in one day. The best way to move around in Pisa is walking or cycling. Getting hold of a bike is easy, thanks to the several bike-sharing services located in the central station and by Galileo Galilei Airport, just 1km (0.6mi) from the city centre.

Market
For one weekend every year, Pisa becomes the Italian capital of independent publishing. The city hosts conferences and stands with more than 100 exhibitors from all over Italy, over 200 events and 4,000sqm (43,060sqft) of books. This year, Pisa Book Festival takes place from 30 September to 3 October.

Natural Feature

In the province of Pisa, you can find one of the oldest hot springs in Tuscany, Casciana Terme. This thermal resort is the perfect destination for those who need to relax and spend a few hours in a silent and comfortable place away from the crowds and chaos of the city.

Natural Feature

One of the best things to do in Pisa, even in the last days of summer, is to visit the beaches. Pisa is well connected to the coast via public transport, and the beaches are 15-20 minutes away from the city. The closest beach is Marina di Pisa, but, for better experiences, go to the little town of Castiglioncello, which has both rocky and sandy beaches, which are a 30-minute train ride away.