Pisa
Italy’s Tuscany is home to one of the country’s most famous cities. Pisa, the picturesque Tuscan city, is the perfect vacation destination for culture lovers and history buffs. Here, millennia-old buildings combine with Italian flair to create an incomparable experience.
Pisa lies at the confluence of the Arno and Auser rivers. The circumstances that led to the founding of the city are not known. However, the city was probably founded by the Etruscans, as archaeological finds have been made here.
The world-famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its architectural masterpieces sits enthroned in the heart of Pisa. The iconic Leaning Tower is the city’s landmark and a truly extraordinary structure. Just a stone’s throw away from the Leaning Tower is the Duomo di Pisa, the magnificent cathedral.
But Pisa has much more to offer than its world-famous landmarks. On a stroll through the winding alleyways of the medieval old town, for example, you can discover charming squares such as the Piazza dei Cavalieri, which was once the political center of the Republic of Pisa.
Off the beaten tourist track, you can experience the authentic charm of Pisa. Let yourself be tempted by the delicacies of Tuscan cuisine in the cozy street cafés and trattorias. A glass of the excellent Chianti wine rounds off the experience perfectly.
Visitors from all over the world come here every year, but many only stay in the city for a short time. This means they miss out on the beautiful palazzi, churches and squares that characterize life in the city.
Discover the sights of Pisa
The square around the Cathedral got its name from an Italian writer and poet who wrote about the "Meadow of Miracles" (Piazza dei Miracoli) in his book. The green area near the city walls is located a bit away from the historical center.
If you look for pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you will come across countless pictures of tourists in strange postures. We have taken a closer look.
Before we set off for Pisa, we had already heard in the press that it was going to be wet there. Wet from above - there was supposed to be a lot of rain - and wet from below - the Arno had already overflowed its banks and the high water determined life in the…
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Travel information about Pisa
Arrival
By plane
Galileo Galilei International Airport is about 4 kilometres from the city centre. Numerous international airlines fly to it.
From the airport you can easily get to the city by public transport.
By train
Pisa’s main railway station (Stazione Ferroviaria Pisa Centrale) is south of the centre. It takes a good 20 minutes to walk from there to the cathedral. The central station is served by numerous trains from large cities in Tuscany, but also from other Italian towns.
Pisa also has a smaller train station called Pisa San Rossore. This is closer to the Leaning Tower.
By car
Pisa is connected to the Genova-Livorno motorway (A12) and the Firenze – Mare motorway (A11). In addition, toll-free motorways lead into the city from Livorno and Florence.
By boat
The nearest major port is in Livorno, 20 kilometres away. Many cruise ships dock here.
On the way in Pisa
By public transport
Public transport is operated by the CPT company.
In the centre of the city you will find the main bus lines: LAM rossa, LAM blu and LAM verde. These operate from 6am – 8:30/9pm. At night, the night LAM runs from 9pm until midnight.
Bus lines 1, 2 and 3 connect the city centre with the various suburbs.
Fares for a 70-minute ticket start at €1.20. Cheaper are the 4, 10 or day tickets.
By bike
It is easy to get around the city by bicycle. There are several rental stations.
On foot
The centre of Pisa is quite small and can be explored very well on foot.
Parking in Pisa
There are limited, but sufficient parking facilities for visitors in Pisa. With a little planning, you can find a suitable parking space near the sights.
Parking near the Leaning Tower
For visitors wishing to visit the Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli, there are several parking options in the immediate vicinity:
- Piazza dei Miracoli parking lot: this unmonitored parking lot is located just a 2-minute walk from Piazza dei Miracoli. The charge is 2 euros per hour.
- Andrea del Sarto parking lot: If the parking lot in Piazza dei Miracoli is full, this parking lot is a good alternative and is only a short distance away. Here you pay 1.50 euros per hour, but it closes at 8 pm.
Free parking options
There are also some free parking lots near the city center that are a good option for visitors:
- Parking Via Piave: This central parking lot in Via Piave is only about a 5-minute walk from the Leaning Tower and is free to use on Sundays.
- Other free parking lots are located in the outskirts of Pisa, but are a little further away from the center.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Pisa is from April to June and in September and October. Temperatures are pleasant then and there is relatively little rain. Summer is very dry, but also very hot. Winter is suitable for visitors who avoid crowds and are not afraid of cool temperatures.
Spring (March to May)
- Pleasant temperatures between 14°C and 22°C
- Around 8 days of rain in April, with an average rainfall of 76 mm.
Spring is a popular time to visit as the temperatures are mild and it is not yet too hot. However, you should expect occasional rain showers.
Summer (June to August)
- Temperatures: High temperatures between 24°C and 30°C, with peaks of up to 35°C
- Rainfall: Very low, only around 25 mm in July (driest month)
- Rainy days: Only 3-4 rainy days in midsummer
Summer is the warmest and driest season in Pisa. However, the heat can be a little too intense for some visitors.
Fall (September to November)
- Temperatures: Pleasant values between 17°C and 25°C
- Rainfall: Increasing from October, with around 129 mm in November
- Rainy days: 8-10 rainy days in October and November
Winter (December to February)
- Temperatures: Rather cool, with highs around 12°C and lows around 3°C
- Rainfall: Moderate with around 70-90 mm per month
- Rainy days: 7-9 rainy days