When you think of Pisa, you will likely imagine pictures of the legendary Leaning Tower. However, this Italian city offers much more than that. It may be one of the smaller cities in the Tuscany region, but this gorgeous city has an abundance of architectural wonders. Here is our list of the best things to do in Pisa that deserve to be discovered.
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Is Pisa worth visiting?
Why is Pisa worth visiting? Because it’s is one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany – it has many ancient churches, palaces and squares. It is rich in history because it was once one of the most important Italian cities. Also, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.
How long do you need for Pisa?
Allow yourself at least two hours, if you want to see only the cathedral and the main monuments on the square. If you decide to climb the tower, add one hour for that. To make the most out of the city, spend more than a day here.
Best things to do in Pisa
If you find yourself in here or you are wondering what the best attractions are, then you are in the right place. Read along to find out what to do in Pisa so you will not miss any attractions and landmarks.
1. Medieval walls
Did you know that Pisa has the oldest city walls in Italy that remain almost entirely intact? Yes, that is right, these medieval ramparts kept invaders out of the city. The construction of the walls started in the 12th century. It took 130 years to complete it. For many years these walls defended the city. Today they offer spectacular views of the Field of Miracles.
The walls fortified with towers and bastions are over 2 metres thick.
After years of restoration, it’s now possible to walk over the walls, which were not open for centuries. The ancient walls opened their doors to tourists only a few years ago (in 2019). Because of that, it is one of the new attractions, and many visitors miss it.
Walking the medieval walls is one of the unusual things to do in Pisa because you can observe the area of the Field of Miracles from above. The 11-metre-high walls offer the best views of the baptistery and the cathedral. A 3 km (2 mi) long section of the walls is open to the public.
How do you walk the walls of Pisa?
To walk the walls, you need to access them from 4 different entrances. There are 4 main city gates Porta Nuova in the Square of Miracles (staircase in the tower near the baptistery), Porta a Lucca, Porta San Zeno and Porta Calcesana.
GOOD TO KNOW:
- The walls are open daily from April to August 2024, from 10 am to 8 pm (last entry at 7.30 pm). In September and March, visiting hours are from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last entry at 5.30 pm. In October, visitors must enter by 5:30 pm, while from November to February, the latest entry time is 4:30 pm.
- Tickets cost €5 per person (as of May 2024).
TIP:
If you are short on time, enter the walls through the tower behind the baptistery. This section of the walls offers the best views of the Field of Miracles.
2. Square of Miracles
Square of Miracles – one of the most famous places in the world.
It is easy to see why visiting the Square of Miracles is one of the first things to do in Pisa. Did you know this grass square is an important centre of European medieval art? It is also one of the finest architectural complexes in the world and one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy. 
The Square of Miracles is also famous because the whole piazza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can find iconic attractions, such as the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Cathedral and the Monumental Cemetery, here. Some say these marble structures represent birth, life and death when combined.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Many refer to this beautiful grass square as the Field of Miracles or the Campo Dei Miracoli.
Can you visit the Square of Miracles for free?
If you want to see only the exterior of the buildings, you can visit the Square of Miracles for free. However, if you want to climb the leaning tower and see the other buildings from inside, you need to buy two separate tickets.
3. Leaning Tower
One of the first tourist attractions where you should head is its Leaning Tower, and there is a reason for that. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the world’s most famous bell tower. It is, in fact, the star attraction in the city. Why, you may ask? It’s because this gorgeous bell tower is not vertical.
ABOUT THE TOWER:
The tower construction started over 200 years ago. At that time, this city was one of the most powerful republics. The building of the tower began after the construction of the nearby cathedral. However, the tower started to sink on its south side before they finished the third story. Almost 100 years later, engineers working on the tower built the upper floors shorter on one side. They tried to compensate for tilt by angling the upper stories and making them more vertical.
Why is the Leaning Tower of Pisa leaning?
The architect failed to take into account that it has unstable soft soil. The shallow foundations and unstable ground caused the tower to start to lean. The Leaning Tower was not stable for hundreds of years. The recent restorations stopped it from falling over completely.
It is hard to believe that the tower is still standing because this building was not stable for hundreds of years.
Will the Leaning Tower eventually fall?
The Leaning Tower of Pisa now leans at 3.99 degrees. Physicists considered the weight and height of the bell tower. They said the maximum angle before the tower falls would be 5.44 degrees. However, it once leaned briefly at 5.5 degrees.
Climbing the Leaning Tower is one of the best things to do in Pisa because it is the most famous leaning tower in the world. This eye-catching bell tower is also a must-see Italian UNESCO World Heritage site.
FUN FACT:
Did you know that Galileo Galilei proved the theory of gravity by dropping weights from the Leaning Tower?
Each year millions of visitors come to see this world-famous site. Most tourists only take pictures of the tower and pretend to push it straight. Instead, climb to the bell tower and enjoy beautiful views of the city.
GOOD TO KNOW:
If you want to visit the Leaning Tower, you should know there is a ticketing system. Be aware of long queues. Tickets sell out quickly during the summer months because only 15 people can buy the tickets for the Leaning Tower every 15 minutes.
TIP:
Visit the Square of Miracles early in the morning before the hordes of tourists arrive in the city. Climb the Leaning Tower a first thing in the morning for a more peaceful experience. The skip-the-line ticket for Leaning Tower costs EUR 30 (as of May 2024).
4. Camposanto
Camposanto – the youngest of the landmarks of the Square of Miracles.
If you prefer something a little quieter, consider visiting nearby Camposanto. While thousands of tourists flock to see the Leaning Tower, only a few see this beautiful complex. Many refer to it as a monumental cemetery or old cemetery. In fact, its name translates to “Holy Land”.
FUN FACT:
The legend has it that, back in the 12th century, the archbishop of Pisa brought the sacred soil from Jesus’s place of crucifixion. Also, there is a legend that bodies buried in the ground rot in just 24 hours.
About Camposanto
This large site with a rectangular cloister was the fourth landmark built in the Field of the Miracles. Its construction started a century after bringing the soil from Jerusalem. For many years Camposanto served as the final resting place of famous and influential people from Pisa. On the floor of the large cloister, you can see the graves of Pisan noblemen. On the sides are various sculptures, a collection of Roman sarcophagi, and even urns.
Visiting Camposanto is one of the unusual things because art historians referred to its courtyard as the Sistine Chapel of Pisa. This monumental cemetery is a sacred place. It is home to beautiful frescoes and artworks.
Why is Camposanto in Pisa unique?
Camposanto is unique because many refer to it as Pisa’s Sistine Chapel. It is hard to believe that the frescoes in Camposanto once covered more square meters than in the Sistine Chapel. Most of them come from the 14th and 15th centuries – they have mostly biblical themes.
FUN FACT:
The fine Renaissance frescoes drew visitors for centuries to the city. The Leaning Tower became a famous attraction only in the late 19th century.
Unfortunately, bombs destroyed most of the paintings during the Second World War. They demolished everything inside the cemetery, including frescoes. After that, they uncovered the original sketches in red pigment on the walls underneath. Once here, do not miss the paintings in the corner closest to the cathedral. These are the oldest pictures, and they cover three themes: the Triumph of Death, the Last Judgement and Hell.
GOOD TO KNOW:
If you want to visit Camposanto, consider purchasing a ticket that includes entry to the cemetery, cathedral, baptistery, and nearby museums. It will cost €10 (as of May 2024). For an additional €17, you can also explore the Leaning Tower (prices as of May 2024).
5. Pisa Baptistery
Afterwards, visit the Pisa Baptistery, which you can find in the middle of the square. Its full name is Battistero di San Giovanni. As the name suggests, this baptistery is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. This cylindrical-shaped building replaced an old baptistery which was once here.
The construction of the baptistery started almost a hundred years after they started building the nearby cathedral. At that time, Pisa was still a powerful Maritime Republic. The country had a strong bond with the Islamic world. Because of that, the arches that decorate its exterior recall the style of oriental buildings.
Exploring the Pisa Baptistery is one of the best things to do in Pisa because this eye-catching building is a masterpiece of Pisan-gothic architecture. But, that’s not all, it’s the largest baptistery in Italy, can you believe it? This marble structure is almost as tall as the nearby Leaning Tower.
Moreover, this baptistery is a perfect example of the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic style. It took over 200 years to finish this building because of a shortage of money. Nicola and Giovanni Pisano (the famous father and son) left their marks on this unusual building. The lower part of the structure has round arches. The upper section has pointed arches – typical for more ornament Gothic style.
FUN FACT:
Did you know that the famous scientist Galileo was baptised here?
Here’s where it gets juicy: if you look closely, you will also see that, just like the Leaning Tower, the baptistery also leans slightly to one side. It tilts 0,6 degrees towards the cathedral because it has the same unstable sand as its taller sibling.
The inside of the building is quite simple. The decoration is not as impressive as the outside. The main highlight here is the marble pulpit showcasing scenes from the New Testament. The Pisa Baptistery is also famous for its acoustics. A guardian comes inside every 30 minutes to intonate a few notes. Also, due to its perfect acoustics, they often use this building as a concert hall.
TIP:
Don’t forget to visit the upper level – you can see beautiful views of the cathedral and the bell tower.
6. Pisa Cathedral
The opposite of the baptistery is Pisa Cathedral with its gorgeous four-tiered façade. This massive cathedral is, in fact, one of the top attractions because it’s one of the finest Pisan-Romanesque buildings in Tuscany. It’s also the oldest of the three structures in the square. Many refer to it as the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta because it is devoted to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
The locals built this medieval Roman Catholic cathedral outside the city’s early medieval wall. It was because this powerful republic had no fear of being attacked.
The building you can see today is a result of numerous restorations. Different styles and designs influenced its construction. The façade of the cathedral is from grey and white marble.
Visiting the Duomo is one of the best things to do in Pisa because it’s one of the most impressive churches in Italy. This gorgeous cathedral is a masterpiece of Pisan architecture with a strong Byzantine influence. It is also famous for its bell tower (the Leaning Tower).
Do not miss the bronze door with reliefs cast by Bonanno Pisano (the first architect of the bell tower). When inside, pay attention to beautiful paintings and frescoes. Most pictures are from the Renaissance because the fire destroyed the original art. The golden ceiling and the carved pulpit by Giovanni Pisano are some of the highlights. Also, do not miss religious relics and tombs.
FUN FACT:
Inside the cathedral, you can see a large bronze chandelier which many call “Galileo’s lamp”. The legend has it that Galileo Galilei first thought about the law of perpetual motion when he saw the hanging lamp. He watched the movement of the lamp. He noticed that its oscillatory movement was constant.
7. Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum)
Make sure you put the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo on your list of attractions. You can find the Cathedral Museum in a former Capuchin convent. It is just a short walk from the Leaning Tower. The Cathedral Museum is one of the unusual things to see because it is overlooked by tourists. Even though it is one of the least-visited places, it is definitely worth a visit.
Why is the Museo dell’’ Opera del Duomo unique?
The Museo dell’’ Opera del Duomo in Pisa is unique because it houses exhibits removed from the Duomo, Baptistery and even Camposanto over the years. The museum houses priceless masterworks in 25 rooms. It also offers beautiful views of the Leaning Tower from the garden and the second floor.
Because of that, visiting the Cathedral Museum is one of the best things to do in Pisa.
Many of those sculptures once decorated buildings of the complex. Today they stay in the museum for their protection.
Among the highlights is a 10th century bronze hippogriff, works by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, tombs, and paintings. Also, do not miss the crucifix known as the Crocifisso d’Elci and a bust of Julius Caesar. Perhaps you do not know, but art historians estimate that it comes from Caesar’s lifetime or within 20 years after his killing.
GOOD TO KNOW:
If you didn’t buy any Field of Miracles tickets in advance, buy timed entry pass at one of the ticket offices to enter the Duomo. These passes are limited in number.
8. National Museum of San Matteo
If there is one more museum you should visit when exploring the city, it is the National Museum of San Matteo. The National Museum of San Matteo may be one of the less-visited attractions, but it is well worth a visit. You can find it in the elegant building, which once served as a convent and a prison.
Why is the National Museum of San Matteo famous?
The National Museum of San Matteo is famous because it houses stunning artefacts and paintings of the Pisan and Florentine art from the 12th to the 17th century. It also preserves numerous painted wooden crosses. It also has the largest collection of ceramic basins in the Mediterranean area.
Painted wooden crosses are one of the pearls of the Pisan school. The suffering Christ, with closed eyes and his head bent to the right, is the new iconography model of Christ imported from Byzantium.
Visiting the National Museum of San Matteo is one of the best things to do in Pisa because you can learn more about Tuscan art. This is the most prized museum in the city. In this museum, you can find a collection of paintings from famous artists, such as Donatello, Simone Martini, Giunta Pisano or Berlinghiero. Particularly noticeable is a statue of the Madonna del Latte by Andrea Pisano and Gentile da Fabriano’s Madonna of Humility. Also, do not miss Donatello’s bust of San Rossore and the painting of Santa Caterina by Simone Martini made of panels.
TIP:
If you want to see only one museum when exploring the city, visit this one.
GOOD TO KNOW:
You can find the National Museum of San Matteo on the banks of the River Arno. The National Museum of San Matteo is not open on Mondays, and the entry fee to the museum is € 5.00 (as of May 2024). You can also purchase a combined ticket that includes the Palazzo Reale Museum for €8 (as of May 2024).
9. River Arno
After exploring the Square of Miracles, head towards the River Arno. Just like other waterways, River Arno influences this city. Maybe you do not know it, but River Arno is the second most important Italian waterway (after the Tiber). The locals built Pisa around this river because it was an important means of communication for their trade. Once River Arno was a source of employment. Today it is a popular place for a walk and celebrations.
Walking along the River Arno is one of the best things to do in Pisa because it offers photogenic views of the city. The marble Mezzo Bridge is the city’s most beautiful bridge and the oldest of them all. The area around it is stunning. You can find here gorgeous buildings and charming cafes and bars nearby.
TIP:
If you are planning to spend a weekend here in June, every year on the last Saturday of June, there are celebrations in the city. The famous San Ranieri celebrations (a tradition of lighting the city with thousands of candles) and the Battle of the Bridge are held annually here. Ponte di Mezzo is a bridge where special events take place. The locals also celebrated the patron saint (Saint Ranieri) with the regatta of San Ranieri the next day in the late afternoon.
10. Santa Maria della Spina
Not many would place Santa Maria della Spina on their list of places to visit, but it would be a mistake. Did you know that the church of Santa Maria della Spina gets its name from the thorn possession (spina in Italian)? Yes, that is right, this small church once held a thorn relic from Christ’s Crown of Thorns. It was a gift from a Pisan merchant who brought it from the Holy Land. Today you can find this relic in Santa Chiara.
This small church with a white marble façade was enlarged in the 14th century. Today it is one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the city. Santa Maria della Spina is famous for its Pisan Gothic style and ornate design. Statues of saints, unusual spiky pinnacles and spires cover the roof. They reflect the history of the church. Inside, you can see a copy of Pisano’s Madonna del Latte. The original statue is now in the nearby National Museum of San Matteo.
GOOD TO KNOW:
- You can find Santa Maria della Spina on the left bank of the River Arno, opposite the National Museum. Many years ago, this church was even closer to the river. It suffered severe foundation damage. Because of that, they rebuilt it on the present site to protect it from flooding.
- Most of the time, Santa Maria della Spina is not open to the public. Hence, check the opening times before your visit, as they vary. However, it is still worth seeing it from the outside because it is one of the most beautiful churches in the city.
11. Gelateria De’Coltelli
If you fancy some ice cream, stop at Gelateria De’Coltelli on the banks of the River Arno. Buying a gelato from Gelateria De’Coltelli is one of the best things to do in Pisa because you can taste authentic ice cream here. Yes, that is right, this small gelateria has unusual gelato flavours. The owners make ice cream only from fresh fruit and use natural flavours. They respect the seasonality, and their packaging is also compostable.
12. Borgo Stretto
Just a short walk from there is Borgo Stretto – a popular place for locals to shop. In fact, this is one of the most famous medieval shopping streets in the city. Borgo Stretto is a very narrow atmospheric street, mostly pedestrian. You can find here designer stores, quaint cafes and stores that sell everything from books to ice cream. Once here, stop at Chiesa di San Michele which once belonged to the monks.
Strolling through Borgo Stretto is one of the best things because this street is perfect for shopping. Moreover, centuries-old photogenic townhouses with wooden shutters line this street. It is an excellent place for snapping a few pictures.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Borgo Stretto lies in the heart of the city. It starts at the Piazza Garibaldi next to the Ponte di Mezzo.
13. Find the Birthplace of Galileo Galilei
Just a few minutes walk from there is Ammannati House. Ammannati House is one of the unusual attractions. Why, you may ask? Modern scholars re-examined Galileo’s baptising documents. Now they believe that the Ammannati House on Via Giusti is the birthplace of this great artist. The House of Galileo Galilei is an important landmark in the city. While the building is not open to the public, you can see a marble plaque on the house.
14. Sinopie Museum
If exploring museums is your thing, then there is also the Sinopie Museum. The word Sinopie translates to preparatory sketches. They were the first step towards making a fresco. During the Renaissance, authors would use a dark red natural earth pigment for their drawings. They would mix it with water and apply it with a brush on a plaster.
DID YOU KNOW?
These preparatory drawings were not colourful or detailed. They were only sketches on the first layer of plaster to show the sponsor what the fresco would look like.
The Sinopie Museum is the only place where you can see numerous preparatory drawings for frescoes. Because of that, the Sinopie Museum is one of the unique attractions.
Most of the preparatory drawings you can see today in Sinopie Museum once decorated the walls of the nearby Camposanto. Maybe you do not know it, but bombing during WWII damages Camposanto’s frescoes. It uncovered these original rough sketches hidden underneath the pictures.
Visiting the Sinopie Museum is one of the unusual things to do in Pisa if you are an art lover. The Sinopie Museum contains one of the world’s largest collections of original preparatory drawings. These valuable sketches from artists are, in fact, extremely rare. They are the only preliminary graphic works that have survived the Middle Ages. Also, they helped scholars to recognise various artists who collaborated on artworks.
TIP:
Head to the Sinopie Museum to see the sketches first. Afterwards, visit the nearby Camposanto, where you can appreciate the magnificent frescoes.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Admission to the Sinopie Museum is a part of a combination ticket to the Baptistery, Cathedral, Camposanto and the Opera del Duomo Museum (as of May 2024).
15. See the city at night
Once you have visited attractions during the day, also see the city in the evenings. As the temperature drops, most visitors leave the city before sunset. Pisa becomes more peaceful again. The famous attractions on the Square of Miracles are lit up, and you can appreciate their beauty without hordes of tourists. Because of that, exploring the Square of Miracles at night is one of the best things to do in Pisa.
16. See the other leaning towers of Pisa
Did you know that Pisa has more than one leaning tower? While the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the most famous, more towers tilt in the city. Finding other leaning towers is one of the unusual things because most tourists do not know about them. One of them is Campanile of San Michele degli Scalzi. You can find it near the river. This bell tower is smaller and less decorative than the famous Leaning Tower. However, it is definitely worth seeing it. Some say this tower leans at a more impressive angle than its majestic cousin. There is also the Church of San Nicola and its slightly tilting bell tower.
17. Guelph Tower
If you are looking for unusual places to visit, go to the Guelph Tower. This complex was once the main shipbuilding area in the republic. Later, military defeats turned this area into a fortress with defensive fortifications. The 18-metre-high Guelph Tower became a part of the citadel. Today, the Guelph Tower is one of the less-visited attractions in Pisa. This attractive tower offers beautiful views of the city and the River Arno.
18. Pisa Botanical Gardens
Did you know that this city is home to the first university botanical garden in Europe? Even though the gardens are only a short walk from the Square of Miracles, many tourists do not visit them. The centuries-old Botanical Gardens offer an excellent escape from the busy square.
The gardens stretch about three hectares and consist of different sections. They have ponds, greenhouses, rare trees and plants from every continent. Moreover, Ferdinand I de Medici founded the Botanical Museum in the 16th century here. The museum houses portraits of famous botanists and objects related to the teaching of the subject.
GOOD TO KNOW:
You can find the Pisa Botanical Gardens on Via Luca Ghini (a road named after its founder). An entry ticket to the Botanical Gardens costs €4 for an adult (free every first Sunday of the month).
19. Palazzo Blu
If art is your thing, visiting the Palazzo Blu should be on your list of things to see. The building, with the striking blue colour of the façade, houses a collection of paintings and other art. Here you can see artworks from the 14th to 20th century and the Museum of Art and Culture. Fine furniture, coins and temporary exhibitions with works of the most celebrated artists are just some of the highlights.
Now you know what are the best things to do in Pisa!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps to support and run our blog.
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Last updated:03/05/2024
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