Situated in the Tuscany region of Italy, Pisa serves as the capital of the Province of Pisa and is traversed by the Arno river, which also flows through Florence before reaching the Ligurian Sea. Pisa, along with its enchanting Piazza dei Miracoli, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, is an essential destination for any traveler exploring Tuscany. Every year, millions of people from all over the globe visit this iconic place, marveling at the unique beauty of the leaning tower and attempting, through clever perspective, to preserve its upright stance.

The city, with a population exceeding 90,000, is renowned for its architectural landscape. Numerous magnificent bridges span the Arno river, providing stunning views. Historical figures like Shelley and Leopardi praised the sunset views from the Ponte di Mezzo bridge as the finest in the world. Pisa is adorned with a variety of structures, from Gothic churches and Renaissance squares to Medieval palaces.

With a history spanning over a thousand years, Pisa’s roots can be traced back to the Etruscan era, and its name originates from the nearby “mouth” of the Arno river. The city flourished during the era of the Maritime Republics, becoming a focal point for artistic brilliance, boasting remarkable Romanesque and Gothic churches that have transformed it into a veritable treasure trove of art.

Pisa offers a rich cultural experience, highlighted by its educational institutions and historical sites such as the Piazza del Duomo, or Square of Miracles, home to the iconic Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery. This city, often compared to Florence, offers a unique blend of culture, education, and some of Italy’s most spectacular sights.

History of Pisa

Pisa, a city with a rich history dating back to ancient times, derives its name from the Etruscan word for ‘mouth’, referring to its location at the mouth of the Arno River. Historical excavations in the 1980s and 1990s unearthed significant archaeological remains, including a 5th-century BC tomb of an Etruscan prince, confirming Pisa’s origins as an Etruscan city and highlighting its historical role as a maritime trading hub with other Mediterranean civilizations. Ancient Roman authors, including Virgil, referred to Pisa as an old and significant center, further evidenced by its development into a strategic port during the Roman era, facilitating naval expeditions and trade across the Mediterranean.

During the late antiquity and early middle ages, Pisa’s advantageous geographical position by the river systems contributed to its resilience and growth despite the broader decline of the Roman Empire. The city played a vital role in supporting Pope Gregory I against the Byzantines and later aligned with the Lombards, eventually rising to prominence as the main port of the Upper Tyrrhenian Sea. After overcoming a brief crisis following Charlemagne’s conquests, Pisa expanded its maritime and military capabilities in the 9th century, initiating conflicts with the Saracens and establishing itself as a powerful naval presence in the Mediterranean.

By the 11th century, Pisa reached its zenith as a maritime republic, one of Italy’s historical ‘Repubbliche Marinare’, controlling a vast merchant fleet and navy. This period saw Pisa exerting its power through military and trading ventures, notably sacking Reggio Calabria and conquering Corsica, while also participating in the First Crusade. The city established numerous colonies across the Levant, gaining privileges and immunities that facilitated its traders and solidified its status in the region. However, rivalry with Genoa intensified, leading to prolonged conflicts that shaped much of its medieval history.

The apex of Pisa’s power continued into the 12th century, culminating in significant naval victories and territorial expansions. However, the city’s prominence began to wane following the devastating defeat at the Battle of Meloria in 1284 against Genoa, which drastically reduced its maritime influence and economic standing. The subsequent centuries saw Pisa struggling to maintain its former glory, facing sieges and occupations, until it was finally absorbed by Florence in the early 15th century. Despite its decline as a major maritime power, Pisa remained culturally significant, spurred by the presence of the University of Pisa and later by other higher education institutions, and continues to be renowned for its historical and educational contributions.

Visiting Pisa for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Pisa on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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This complete guide to Pisa not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Pisa and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum)

One of the most impeccably designed and thoughtfully curated museums in Tuscany often goes unnoticed by visitors, which is a real pity because it offers invaluable insights into the art and craftsmanship of its era. This gem is located on the Campo dei Miracoli and provides an enriching experience for those who do venture inside, […]

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Location: Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Opera del Duomo Museum, Cathedral Ticket & Audio Guide | Distance: 0.00km

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Visiting Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum)

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Every child is familiar with it, and almost every visitor to Pisa makes their way to the world’s most renowned tower: La Torre Pendente, or the Leaning Tower, situated adjacent to the cathedral. Its construction began in 1173 during Pisa’s heyday as Italy’s dominant maritime republic, and its design, resembling a loggia, was inspired by […]

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Location: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Website | Distance: 0.00km

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Visiting Leaning Tower of Pisa

Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta stands as the quintessential representation of the Pisan architectural style. This splendid Romanesque basilica, crafted from white marble, was designed by the Pisan architect Buscheto. Construction commenced in 1063 following Pisa’s naval triumph over the Saracens, and though it remained unfinished, it was consecrated in 1118. Subsequently, during the […]

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Location: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Piazza San Giovanni, Volterra, Pisa, Italy | Distance: 0.10km

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Visiting Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

Campo dei Miracoli

The Campo dei Miracoli, or Square of Miracles, in Pisa holds immense historical and cultural significance and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Interestingly, the square is not situated at the heart of the city, as one might assume, but along the northwestern edge, close to the fortified wall, where sufficient […]

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Visiting Campo dei Miracoli

Camposanto (Sacred Field)

According to local legend, Archbishop Ubaldo dei Lanfranchi returned from the Fourth Crusade with numerous shiploads of earth from Golgotha, intending to provide the citizens of Pisa with sacred soil for burial. In 1278, the construction of Camposanto (Sacred Field) commenced, creating a vast rectangular cloister adorned with a gallery of arches embellished with Gothic […]

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Location: Camposanto, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: January-February, from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm; March-April, from 9:00 am to 7.00 pm; May-June, from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm; July-October, from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm; November-December, from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. | Price: Adults 7€ (including the Cathedral). | Website | Camposanto and Cathedral Entry Tickets and Audio Guide | Distance: 0.20km

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Visiting Camposanto (Sacred Field)

Battistero di San Giovanni (Pisa Baptistery)

To the west of the cathedral stands the baptistery, a free-standing structure initiated in 1153, almost a century after the cathedral, during Pisa’s prosperous era. The design of the baptistery echoes that of the cathedral, employing the same building material and incorporating blind arcading and dwarf galleries. However, as the construction progressed for over two […]

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Location: Battistero di San Giovanni, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Baptistery and Cathedral Ticket with Audio Guide | Distance: 0.20km

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Visiting Battistero di San Giovanni (Pisa Baptistery)

Orto Botanico (Botanic Garden)

Also known as the Orto Botanico dell’Università di Pisa, Pisa’s botanical garden holds the distinction of being the first university botanical garden in Europe. It was founded by Cosimo I de’ Medici in the mid-1500s, reflecting the city’s long-standing tradition of intellectual pursuits and scientific exploration. At the garden, visitors can embark on a delightful […]

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Location: Botanical Garden and Museum, Via Luca Ghini, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: From October 31st to March 26th: every day, 8.30am – 5pm From 27 March to 29 April: every day, 8.30am – 7.00pm From 30 April to 12 June: every day, 8.30am – 8.00pm From 13 June to 12 July: every day, 8.30am – 9.00pm From 13 July to 4 September: every day, 8.30am – 8.00pm From 5 September to 10 October: every day, 8.30am – 7.00pm From 11 to 30 October: every day, 8.30am – 6.00pm | Price: Adults €4 | Website | Distance: 0.30km

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Visiting Orto Botanico (Botanic Garden)

Bagni di Nerone (Roman Baths of Nero)

The Baths of Nero, also known as Bagni di Nerone, are located in Largo del Parlascio, near the Porta a Lucca in Pisa. The term “Parlascio” is derived from the German word for a place where bears fought, which suggests that the area might have been used for bear-baiting in the past. The main gate […]

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Location: Baths of Nero, Largo Parlascio, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: 24 hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.40km

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Visiting Bagni di Nerone (Roman Baths of Nero)

Palazzo dei Cavalieri

The palace situated in the Piazza dei Cavalieri, also known as the Palazzo della Carovana, originally served as the Palazzo degli Anziani (Palace of the Elders). In 1562, the renowned architect Giorgio Vasari commenced the task of rebuilding and expanding the palace, thus giving rise to the magnificent Palazzo dei Cavalieri, which received its name […]

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Location: Palazzo della Carovana, Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa Province of Pisa, Italy | Distance: 0.50km

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Visiting Palazzo dei Cavalieri

Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri

The Church of Santo Stefano, much like the surrounding palaces in Piazza dei Cavalieri, bears the unmistakable touch of Vasari’s design. Originally constructed between 1565 and 1569, the church received a magnificent marble facade between 1594 and 1606, envisioned by Giovanni de’ Medici. The two side wings, dating from the 17th century, initially served as […]

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Location: Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, closed; Tuesday and Thursday, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm; Saturday, from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm. | Distance: 0.50km

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Visiting Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri

Borgo Stretto

If you fancy some shopping or simply want to explore the charming narrow streets of medieval Pisa, the Narrow Street is the place to go. This long street is mostly pedestrianized and bustling with various shops, ranging from quaint stores offering books and souvenirs to high-end exclusive boutiques. Lining both sides of the street are […]

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Location: Borgo Stretto, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Price: Free | Distance: 0.80km

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Visiting Borgo Stretto

Santa Maria della Spina

The Church of Santa Maria della Spina, situated on the left bank of the Arno, is perhaps one of Pisa’s most renowned and charming smaller churches. Initially, it was a small oratory located right on the riverbank, but due to significant foundation damage, it underwent reconstruction in 1871. The church was meticulously dismantled stone by […]

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Location: Santa Maria della Spina, Lungarno Gambacorti, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: Open only on special occasions or exhibitions | Price: Free | Distance: 0.90km

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Visiting Santa Maria della Spina

Palazzo Blu

Palazzo Giuli Rosselmini Gualandi, often referred to as Palazzo Blu, is an impressive building that hosts an extensive permanent collection of paintings and other artworks by Italian artists spanning from the 16th to the 20th century. Alongside the artworks, the palace also showcases fine furniture and ancient coins. Beyond its rich permanent collections, Palazzo Blu […]

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Location: Palazzo Giuli Rosselmini Gualandi, Lungarno Gambacorti, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday - Sunday and holidays: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Price: Adult: 3,00 Euro | Website | Distance: 0.90km

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Visiting Palazzo Blu

Logge di Banchi

The Logge di Banchi, designed by Bernardo Buontalenti and built by Cosimo Pugliani between 1603 and 1605, was commissioned by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando I de’Medici. It served as a market space for various commodities, including wool, silk, money exchange, and cereals. To construct the Logge di Banchi, part of the medieval quarter […]

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Location: Logge dei Banchi, Via di Banchi, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Distance: 0.90km

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Visiting Logge di Banchi

Museum of the Ancient Ships, Pisa

The Arsenals, constructed between 1548 and 1588 under the direction of Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, were a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering his naval power and reviving the glory days of Pisa’s Maritime Republic. These grand arcaded sheds served as the shipyards for building impressive 50-meter-long galleys, which were then launched directly into […]

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Location: Museum of Ancient Ships of Pisa, Lungarno Ranieri Simonelli, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: Friday 3.30 – 6.30 pm Saturday and Sunday 10.30 am – 6.30 pm | Price: Adults € 10,00, reduced € 8.00 Family € 20,00 | Website | Distance: 1.00km

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Visiting Museum of the Ancient Ships, Pisa

Torre Guelfa, Pisa

The Torre Guelfa or Guelph Tower stands proudly within Pisa’s Cittadella Vecchia, a historically rich and evocative area that has captured the fascination of passersby strolling along the Lungarni for centuries. Constructed in the 15th century, the tower boasts an unmistakable profile that adds to the charm of its surroundings. This area, known as Tersana […]

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Location: Torre Guelfa, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Distance: 1.10km

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Visiting Torre Guelfa, Pisa

Santo Sepolcro, Pisa

The church mentioned in the description is the Church of Santa Maria della Spina in Pisa. It is an exquisite example of Italian Gothic architecture, known for its unique octagonal plan and pyramid-shaped roof. The church has a fascinating history and has been associated with the Hospitallers of Jerusalem and mistakenly linked to the Templars. […]

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Location: Santo Sepolcro, Piazza Santo Sepolcro, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: 3:30-5:00 pm | Price: Free | Distance: 1.10km

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Visiting Santo Sepolcro, Pisa

Palazzo Vecchio de Palazzo Medici

Palazzo Vecchio de’ Medici, formerly known as Palazzo Appiano, is a historic palace located in Pisa along the Lungarno Mediceo, not far from Palazzo Toscanelli. The palace has undergone various ownerships and transformations over the centuries. The construction of the palace dates back to the 13th century, on the site of a previous building that […]

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Location: Palazzo Medici, Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Distance: 1.20km

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Visiting Palazzo Vecchio de Palazzo Medici

Murale Tuttomondo by Keith Haring

In 1989, a serendipitous encounter with a student from Pisa led to the commissioning of artist Keith Haring to create a mural on the rear wall of Sant’Antonio Abate church. This mural, known as Tuttomondo (meaning “all the world”), stands as one of the largest murals in Europe, covering an area of 180 square meters, […]

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Location: P.za V. Emanuele II, 18, 56125 Pisa PI, Italy | Distance: 1.30km

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Visiting Murale Tuttomondo by Keith Haring

Museo Nazionale di San Matteo (National Museum of San Matteo)

The former Benedictine Convent of San Matteo has been transformed into Pisa’s National Museum of San Matteo, which houses a remarkable collection of sculptures and paintings from the Tuscan schools spanning the 12th to the 15th centuries. Of particular interest are the sculptures that have been relocated here from various Pisan churches to safeguard them […]

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Location: Museo Nazionale di San Matteo, Piazza San Matteo In Soarta, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 19:00 (last admission 18:30). Sundays and holidays from 9:00 to 13:30 (last admission 13:00) | Price: Adults € 6.00 | Website | Distance: 1.30km

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Visiting Museo Nazionale di San Matteo (National Museum of San Matteo)

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Pisa

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is a significant square located near the railway station in Pisa. Its existence is a result of urban reorganization that took place in the late 19th century, leading to the demolition of the medieval walls and the San Gilio gate to create the square. The square is surrounded by notable buildings […]

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Location: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, 56125 Pisa PI, Italy | Distance: 1.40km

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Visiting Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Pisa

Basilica Romanica di San Piero a Grado

Away from the bustling centre of Pisa, on the road leading to its marina, stands a remarkable 10th-century basilica known as the Basilica of San Piero a Grado. This ancient place of worship was built at the former port of Pisa, where it is believed that St. Peter himself arrived in Italy in 44 AD. […]

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Location: San Piero a Grado, Via Vecchia di Marina, Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy | Distance: 6.30km

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Visiting Basilica Romanica di San Piero a Grado

Charterhouse of Pisa

The Charterhouse, established in 1366 with the generous support of prominent Pisan families, is nestled among the olive trees of Valgraziosa, standing somewhat isolated from the town of Calci, approximately 1 km away. The complex offers a picturesque perspective view with its double facade. The outer, lower facade served functions accessible to the local residents, […]

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Location: Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa, Via Roma, La Pieve, Province of Pisa, Italy | Hours: From Tuesday 16 August to Sunday 4 September: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays: accompanied tours at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. | Website | Distance: 10.10km

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Visiting Charterhouse of Pisa

Villa Puccini in Torre del Lago

Villa Puccini in Torre del Lago stands as a fascinating representation of how the concept of a “villa” and its architecture underwent a complete transformation during the Art Nouveau period. This splendid building served as the residence of the renowned composer Giacomo Puccini, who, hailing from Lucca, chose to make his home on the shores […]

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Location: Villa Puccini Museum, Viale Giacomo Puccini, Torre del Lago, Province of Lucca, Italy | Hours: November: OPEN ONLY on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. (last admission 12:00) – from 2:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. (last admission 4:40 p.m.). December 1st to January 31st: from 10:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. (last admission 12:00) – from 2:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. (last admission 4:40 p.m.). February 1st to March 31st: from 10:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. (last admission 12:00) – from 2:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. (last admission 5:10 p.m.). April 1st to October 31st: from 10:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. (last admission 12:00) – from 3:00 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. (last admission 5:50 p.m.). On the days of the Puccini Festival (July and August): from 10:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. (last admission 12:00) – from 4:00 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. (last admission 8:00). Closed Monday morning (excluding period from June 1st to September 30th), December 25 (Christmas) | Price: € 7,00 | Website | Distance: 14.20km

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Visiting Villa Puccini in Torre del Lago