Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Italy, best known for its world-famous leaning tower. But the tower isn't the only thing to see – there are other architectural and artistic marvels in this beautiful city. The half-hour walk from the Campo dei Miracoli to the train station runs through a pedestrian street with many interesting sights, shops, and restaurants. The best way to visit Pisa is walking the streets, as the city centre is small and cosy, and enjoying the sight and the atmosphere.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Pisa would not be Pisa without the university. The city is animated by the students, who organize parties, shows, and cultural events, and fill the central street of the city at night. The University of Pisa has 60,000 students in a city of 90,000 inhabitants (200,000 in the metropolitan area). You'll notice the student flair in the city once you leave the touristy Campo dei Miracoli. The climate of Pisa is something in between the one in the north and in the south of Italy. Winters are mild: not as warm as in Catania nor as cold as in the Po Valley in the north. Temperatures almost never drop below zero.
In the city centre, just walk. The LAM or city buses run frequently to 18:00 then sparsely to 23:00. The most useful route is LAM Rossa, the red line, between railway station, riverside (stop Lungarno Pacinotti 2) and Leaning Tower (stop Piazza dei Miracoli). LAM Verde runs near the airport. Tickets for both LAM and out-of-town buses are €1.50 single, a pack of ten is €14. Single tickets can also be purchased from the bus driver for €2.50. Tickets must be validated on boarding the bus; they are then valid for 70 minutes. Pisa has a public bicycle service called Ciclopi which allows travellers pick up and drop cycles to and from 15 points around the city.
Pisa is divided into 4 historical quarters. There is much more than the leaning tower in the city and several different walking itineraries are available. The Piazza dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles is to the North of central Pisa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and contains the city's most famous sights: 3 Torre Pendente (Leaning Tower), Piazza Arcivescovado 1, ☏ +39 050 835011, info@opapisa.it. Daily 09:00-19:00. The structure was conceived as the cathedral's bell tower. Construction began in 1173 and the tower started leaning soon afterwards due to subsidence of the ground underneath its base.
Take a photo of yourself holding, leaning against, or "anthropologically appropriating" the leaning tower of Pisa. Take a stroll along the central shopping roads of the city, Corso Italia and Borgo Stretto, both pedestrian-only. Enjoy an aperitivo (evening drink with a light dinner buffet) in one of the many bars and pubs that offer it, around Piazza Gambacorti, Piazza delle Vettovaglie o Via delle Case Dipinte. Football: Pisa SC were relegated in 2026 and now play soccer in Serie B, the second tier. Their Arena Garibaldi (capacity 25,000) is just north of the historic centre. On June 16th Pisa hosts the Luminara festival, held for the patron saint's day (San Ranieri).
Pasta and pizza are among the tourists' favorites like everywhere in Italy, but Tuscan and Pisan cuisine has more to offer: several kinds of soups made with bread (for instance, pappa al pomodoro, or kale-based bordatino), meat dishes (chianina and mucco pisano are renowned beef breeds; game such as boar or hare can be found in various restaurants), and cold cuts.
During summer nights, everybody stays around the banks of the rivers, sipping drinks bought from the several bars in the area. A few very good wine bars are also available for colder, winter nights. 1 Orzo Bruno, Via Case Dipinte 6/8 (A bit tricky to find but worth it), ☏ +39 050 578802. Su-Th 19:00-01:00, F Sa 19:00-02:00. Artisan organic beer and organic food. €4.5 for a pint, €4-8 for food. Bar Mocambo, Via S. Bernardo, 29. Cozy cocktail bar with a vast selection of drinks. Outstanding signature cocktails. Serves more than 100 kinds of rum from all over the world, often paired with treats such as specialty chocolate.
Pisa is a safe city. You do not need to worry about your safety (except in some zones at night, such as the area surrounding the station). However, you should take the obvious precautions (like, if you stay in a very cheap hotel, take your valuables with you) and watch out for pickpockets in the touristy areas. As stated in the Buy section, avoid purchasing sunglasses, umbrellas, and other trinkets from illegal sellers. Definitely steer clear of counterfeit luxury goods. Upon arriving to Pisa, it is not uncommon for tourists to be swarmed by African vendors. Some vendors can be pushy or even downright aggressive. Even saying "no thank you" can bring unwanted attention.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Pisa typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 8 rainy days.
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