Pisa Tourism And Travel Guide

Pisa, one of the most famous cities in Italy in the Tuscany region is one of the major maritime republics in the country since 11th Century. The city grew in population and developed immensely after that with beautiful infrastructure and world famous monuments. Pisa is situated in the western part of Italy and is easily accessible by air, road and rail and you can easily reach the city from Florence as well. Weather in the city is absolutely amazing for you to visit any time of the year and tourism in Pisa is popular due to the stunning Leaning Tower of Pisa. Read through our travel guide to Pisa and learn about the various things to do and places to go to while you are in the city.

By Air:

The closest airport is the Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport, located at a distance of 6.1 km from the city center. This is the only airport that serves the city of Pisa and is used by many coming from out of the city or country as well. A fifteen minute cab ride from the airport will take you to the center of the city or if you do not have too much luggage, you can even walk it down there.

By Road:

The roads of the Tuscan region are just stunning; the beautiful views and the great weather make it even better. The SS1 Aurelia motorway is the best way to get to Pisa by road; if you are coming from Rome, you will have to take the A1 autostrada and then hop on to the SS1 Aurelia.

By Rail:

The Pisa Centrale Station is the city’s railway station, located at a distance of 4.8 km from city center. With trains coming in from different parts of Italy as well as Europe, this railway station is the main station that serves the area of Pisa. If you are going to Pisa to only see the Leaning Tower, then you should take a train to go to the San Rossore Station that is close to the monument.

Getting Around:

Taxis and busses run by CPT in Pisa are the main modes of transportation in the city. The busses are inexpensive and quite comfortable. You can even choose to walk and explore around the city, which is actually the best way to discover new places.

Spring (March-May):

With a pleasant climate and moderate temperatures, spring is the best season for tourists to visit Pisa. Temperatures during this time range from 18°C (64.4°F) to 24°C (75.2°F) and the city is visually very vibrant. There is also some amount of rain during this time.

Summer (June-August):

Summers in Pisa are usually quite hot with temperatures ranging from 24°C (75.2°F) to 33°C (91.4°F). The city sees elongated hours of sunlight throughout the day and evenings and nights are a bit cooler than the mornings. A lot of people visit during this time as well.

Autumn (September-November):

The Autumn season eliminates the heat and slowly brings in the cold. This season that lasts from September to November brings in cool winds and temperatures fall, ranging from 24°C (75.2°F) to 21°C (69.8°F). This is also a great time to visit due to the pleasant winds and moderate temperature.

Winter (December-February):

Winters in Pisa could be extremely cold or sometimes just moderate. Moderate winters see temperatures ranging from 18°C (64.4°F) to 5°C (41°F) and if the cold is extreme, the mercury further drops down to sub zero levels. You never know what kind of winter is coming your way and should be prepared with warm clothing.

Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa:

When you visit Pisa, don’t miss this beautiful monument that was built in the 12^th Century. The structure of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is such that it leans to one side, making it absolutely unique. The architecture of the structure is something that makes it a site to witness.

Catch a Glimpse of Tuttomondo by Keith Harring:

The famous graphic artist Keith Harring has left his mark on Pisa. He has made a beautiful mural on the back wall of St. Anthony’s church, showing his love for the city. This mural is extensive and contains several figures in vibrant colours.

Walk Across the Ponte di Mezzo:

The iconic Ponte di Mezzo is an 89 m bridge on the Arno River. Connecting the northern and the southern part of the city, this bridge is absolutely a must visit when you visit Pisa.

Have an Aperitivo Pisan Style:

Enjoy the Pisan culture by enjoying an aperitivo at a ciccheti bar. Go to one of the famous squares like Piazza delle Vettovaglie that has an array of different bars, coffee shops and clothing stores. Go bar hopping and experience the nightlife of Pisa.

Take Part in the Festival:

Every year the illuminating festival takes place in the city in order to give respect to one of the patrons of Pisa. During the festival, the houses and structures around the Arno River are illuminated, making it look absolutely beautiful.

Pisa has a beautiful variety of restaurants serving authentic Tuscan cuisine that will satiate your food cravings. The Osteria i Santi, located right by the Leaning Tower of Pisa is an inexpensive restaurant that serves delicious food. This place serves some of the classic Italian dishes and is an absolute treat. If you are a spaghetti lover, you must visit the Spaghetteria Alle Bandierine. It is famous amongst the locals and tourists go there to escape the crowd and eat some good spaghetti. The Osteria di Culegna is another great eatery which serves Italian dishes that are true to the cuisine and not altered in taste; visit this restaurant to have a scrumptious meal and enjoy the culture and food of Pisa. Other restaurants famous amongst both locals and tourists are Numero 11, Osteria del Porton Rosso, Gusto Giusto and many more.

Some of the best places to go shopping in Pisa include Borgo Stretto, Corso Italia and Borgo Largo. Borgo Largo and Borgo Stretto are amongst the more posh areas for shopping and you will find world famous clothing and accessory brands to choose from. These are some of the most expensive stores in the city; if you are on a budget, visit Corso Italia, which is more of street shopping with numerous things being sold. Clothing, jewelry, shoes, artifacts, handmade products and a lot more can be found on this street. The street is full of bars and cafes as well, so if you are tired from all the shopping, sip on a brew and regain your energy to back shopping.