In a nutshell
- Pisa’s biggest attractions — including the Leaning Tower — are all clustered on one square: the Piazza dei Miracoli. You can visit them all with a single combined ticket.
- Pisa is totally manageable in one day — all the highlights are within easy walking distance of each other.
- From the city center, it’s only 11 kilometers to the beach at Marina di Pisa — great for combining a city visit with some time by the sea.
- Hotels in Pisa are noticeably cheaper than in Florence or other Tuscan cities — a real bonus if you’re watching your budget.
Pisa Sights on a Map
Pisa is seriously manageable — you can reach all the highlights easily on foot.
We’ve marked all the must-sees on this map so you can plan your day:
Our Top 10 Things to Do in Pisa
The most significant attractions in Pisa are clustered at the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles.
Right here you’ll find the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Camposanto, and access to the city wall.
More highlights are scattered through the old town — all within easy walking distance.
The Leaning Tower
The Leaning Tower is the undisputed highlight of Pisa and the first stop for every visitor. It stands at the Piazza dei Miracoli, right next to the Cathedral — and technically, it’s also the cathedral’s bell tower.
Seeing it in person is genuinely impressive. The lean is even more dramatic than photos suggest.
It started tilting during its first construction phase in the Middle Ages due to the soft, sandy soil — but the decision was made to finish it anyway. By the time the tilt exceeded 5 degrees, structural engineers from around the world stepped in during the 1990s to stabilize it.
Today the lean sits at around 4 degrees, and you can safely climb it again.
Tickets cost 20 euros on the official website, or 25 euros on Tiqets — but those are fully refundable, which is worth knowing if your plans might change.
The Pisa Cathedral
The Cathedral stands directly next to the Leaning Tower, so you can easily tick off both in one go.
Admission is free — it’s included with any ticket for the Leaning Tower or other Piazza dei Miracoli attractions.
If you’re not buying a Tower ticket, just pick up a free entry pass on-site at the Cathedral.
Fun fact: construction of the Pisa Cathedral began at the same time as the Basilica di San Marco in Venice — the two cities were apparently in a full-on competition to build the most beautiful cathedral.
Baptistery
The Pisa Baptistery is the largest baptistery in Christendom — and another standout on the Piazza dei Miracoli, right across from the Cathedral.
You can visit the interior; the ticket costs 8 euros and also covers entry to the Cathedral.
Thanks to its cylindrical shape, the building has a seriously impressive acoustic echo. Every now and then one of the guards sings a few notes — the sound layers into something you really have to hear to believe.
Camposanto Monumentale
The Camposanto Monumentale is a vast cemetery — and one of the most underrated things to do in Pisa.
It’s packed with sculptures, sarcophagi, and a stunning cloister of white marble. Honestly, it feels more like an open-air museum than a burial ground — the level of artistry here is extraordinary.
Pisa’s most celebrated historical figures are buried here, and it’s a genuinely peaceful escape from the crowds outside on the piazza. The ticket costs 8 euros.
City Wall
Pisa’s 11-meter-high city wall is open to walkers and loops in a semicircle around the historic center. From up top, you get a totally different vantage point on the city’s landmarks — plus peeks into some lovely hidden gardens along the way.
The full route is 3 kilometers, so think about whether you want to do the whole thing. There are only four exit points along the wall, so plan ahead.
The ticket booth is right next to the Camposanto at the Piazza dei Miracoli — that’s also the main entrance to the wall. Tickets cost 5 euros.
Piazza dei Cavalieri
Just a short walk from the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Piazza dei Cavalieri is well worth the detour. It was designed by Renaissance star architect Giorgio Vasari — the same man behind the Vasari Corridor in the Uffizi in Florence.
The most striking building on the piazza is the ornate Palazzo della Carovana, which today houses the elite Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa — a university that has produced several Nobel Prize winners.
Lungarni
“Lungarni” means “along the Arno” — and it refers to the two riverfront promenades running along both banks of the Arno through the city.
These are Pisa’s most popular strolling boulevards, lined with beautiful palaces, cafés, and restaurants. Perfect for a late-afternoon aperitivo. Above all, don’t miss a walk here at sunset — the light on the buildings is really something.
Palazzo Blu
The Palazzo Blu is impossible to miss on the Arno riverbank — because it’s blue.
It’s Pisa’s most famous art museum, and it punches well above its weight. Alongside a permanent collection of Pisan art and artifacts from Roman and Etruscan times, it regularly hosts temporary exhibitions spanning all kinds of eras.
Past shows have featured Andy Warhol, Picasso, and Kandinsky, so it’s always worth checking the museum’s website before you visit.
Borgo Stretto
Diagonally across from the Palazzo Blu, the narrow Borgo Stretto leads into Pisa’s old quarter.
It’s the city’s top shopping street, and with its covered arcades it’s a little reminiscent of Bologna‘s historic center. The shaded walkways make it comfortable to browse even on the hottest summer days.
Make sure to also swing by the Piazza delle Vettovaglie right next door. A market runs here every day, and in the evenings the piazza’s bars and restaurants fill up with Pisa’s nightlife crowd.
Keith Haring in Pisa
The story goes that pop art legend Keith Haring once met a young Pisan in New York who raved about his hometown.
Inspired, Keith traveled to Pisa in 1989 and left his mark with the mural Tuttomondo on the side of a two-story building.
Today it’s a widely visited highlight near Pisa’s main train station — and a surprisingly moving piece of street art to stumble across.
Pisa in One Day
Staying somewhere else in Tuscany and planning a day trip to Pisa? No problem — these are the best things to do in Pisa if you’ve got just one day:
- Leaning Tower
- Cathedral
- Baptistery
- Piazza dei Cavalieri
- Borgo Stretto
- Lungarni
Pisa is compact and you can cover all of these on foot with time to spare for a relaxed lunch and some wandering.
From the main train station, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Piazza dei Miracoli — where you’ll find the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery all in one go. If you have accommodation in Tuscany outside the city, this itinerary is totally doable as a day trip.
Beach Vacation Near Pisa
Pisa isn’t right on the water, but the coast is only 11 kilometers away — super easy to tack onto your visit.
The nearest beach is Marina di Pisa, a charming little seaside resort dotted with Art Nouveau villas, restaurants, and bars. You’ll find both pebble beaches and sandy beaches here.
Marina doesn’t have a train station, so you’ll need to get there by car or bus. Bus No. 101 runs directly from Pisa’s main train station to Marina.
If you want more ideas for a beach trip in Tuscany, we’ve got a full guide to the most beautiful Tuscan beaches:
Our Hotel Recommendations in Pisa
Compared to hotels in Florence, prices in Pisa are significantly more affordable — though they are creeping up.
You can still find a great room for as little as 100 euros per night.
Here are our top picks for where to stay in Pisa:
Parking in Pisa
The entire historic center is a traffic-restricted zone — only residents are allowed to drive in.
Entrances are camera-monitored and fines can easily hit 100 euros, so don’t risk it.
Your best bet is to leave the car in one of the parking lots on the edge of the old town, unless your hotel has its own parking.
Here are two solid options:
- Piazza dei Miracoli Parking Lot: An unmonitored lot just a two-minute walk from the Piazza dei Miracoli. Costs 2 euros per hour.
- Andrea del Sarto Parking Lot: A good backup if the Piazza dei Miracoli lot is full. Slightly further away, but cheaper at 1.50 euros per hour. Note that it closes at 8 PM.
