Luna Explores Europe
24 Hours in Pisa: more than just a Leaning Tower
I'm Luna, and a few years ago I began exploring Europe with my wonderful boyfriend. I’m eager to share my adventures, tips, and more with fellow travelers. So far, I've embarked on 8 trips and visited 12 countries.
When my boyfriend and I decided to take my mom to Italy for her birthday, I honestly thought Pisa was just that one iconic leaning tower.
But I was wrong.
Pisa has more to offer than you'd think.
Would I recommend spending serveral days here? Not really. Pisa is perfect as a day trip, especially since it's so close to places like Florence. While we actually stayed for 48 hours, here's a trimmed-down itinerary that covers everything you can do in just 24 hours in Pisa.
Must-see attractions (that you'll need a ticket for)
That square where the Leaning Tower is located - the Piazza dei Miracoli - was much larger than we expected. Besides the tower, you'll find a stunning cathedral, a baptistery, two museums, and even a cemetary where famous Pisans are buried.
At the ticket office, you can buy combination tickets that give you access to multiple attractions. We paid 11 euros per person to visit everything except the tower itself.
Why skip the climb? We figured once you're up there, you're missing the very thing you came to see - kind of like going up the Eiffel Tower and then not being able to see it.
With the combo ticket, you'll easily spend 2.5 to 3 hours exploring. A little tip: go early! Especially if you want that classic "holding up the tower" photo without the crowds.
Walk the Walls of Pisa
A fun and lesser-known extra? Walking along Pisa's old city walls. For just 5 euros per person, you get a panoramic view over the city - tower included!
What we didn't expect was how far those walls actually go. There are four different access points, which makes it easy to hop on or off and escape the busy streets of the center.
If you're comparing prices, our tital (combo ticket + wall walk) came to 16 euros each. If we had added the tower climb, it would've been 36 euros per person. Definitely something to think about!
Free things to do in Pisa
If the weather plays along, take a stroll along the Arno River. Several bridges cross the river and offer beautiful views of colorful buildings with the mountains in the background - perfect for a quick photo session.
The city center is also lovely for wandering. Pisa is full of charming piazzas, many of them with old palaces nearby. History and art lovers will enjoy spotting statues of iconic figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Galileo Galilei scattered throughout the city.
Where to eat and drink in Pisa?
We absolutely loved indulging in Tuscan specialties! Here are a few of our favorite spots:
- Breakfast: Caffé Antiche Terme - a cozy start to the day with a cappuccino and a cornetto al pistacchio (so good!)
- Dinner: Bar & Food 62 - a classic Tuscan dinner spot where we enjoyed pici (thick pasta noodles) with wild boar sauce, a juicy T-bone steak, and a delicious bottle of wine
- Pastries & snacks: Salza - this place is perfect for traditional Tuscan cookies, sandwiches, and beautiful pastries
All around town, you'll find plenty of cute cafés and cocktail bars.
Tip:
If you're after a well-priced cocktail, head a little further away from the tower - drinks there can be up to 3 euros cheaper!
Where to go next?
After you've seen Pisa, you've got options. Florence is just over 50 minutesn away by train, and makes for a great next stop. If you're looking for something more relaxed, consider visiting Lucca, Livorno, or Siena instead.
And if wine is your thing: we did a wine tasting in Chianti region from Florence for just 55 euros per person, including transport. The tour lasted 6 hours and was absolutely worth it.
Do you want to read more articles like this? Click here to read my 24 hours in Prague article!