Pisa Holidays

Everyone knows about Pisa’s Leaning Tower and magnificent baroque basilica, but look behind these brochure cover stars and you’ll find an array of modem museums, picturesque piazzas and exceptional restaurants vying for your attention. Of course, the city’s wonky bell tower is its main draw and is entirely deserving of its worldwide fame. Taking a novelty photo in front of the tower is great fun – book ahead if you want to climb to the top to avoid the queues. The entire area, known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and packs plenty of appeal. Along with the tower, you can visit landmarks including the 11th-century marble-clad Duomo and the remarkable baptistery, believed to be the largest in Italy.

Wander just a few streets away and you’ll discover a much more typical Pisan scene; locals milling about beneath rustic townhouses, and bustling cafes nestled in peaceful squares. Piazza de Cavalieri and Piazza Dante are two such examples of the authentic Pisa that many miss. Pisa’s botanical gardens are also worth a visit, and feature numerous rare plants set in surprisingly tranquil surroundings, especially considering their location is just a 10-minute stroll from the city’s famous Leaning Tower.

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Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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Handpicked hotels in Pisa

Discover the real Pisa while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Pisa, Tuscany Hotels

NH Pisa

Modern hotel centrally located in Pisa
20 minute walk from the Leaning Tower and Duomo

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Things to do in Pisa

First things first – join the throngs heading for the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This tipsy bell tower charms millions of visitors a year. Just remember to explore the surrounding square, Piazza dei Miracoli, too. A full circuit ticks off the domed Pisa Cathedral, 12th-century Pisa Baptistery of St. John, and cloisters and graveyard of Camposanto Monumentale.

From Piazza dei Miracoli, you can wander south-east to Pisa’s second great square – Knights’ Square. Salute the statue of Cosimo I de’ Medici, AKA the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, and duck into the 16th-century Palazzo della Carovana to get your fill of fine art pieces.

The top sights in the south half of Pisa line up along the River Arno. Stroll along the south bank, and you’ll bump into the Cittadella Nuova (a park with a pop-up cinema in the summer), San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno (a towering Tuscan-Romanesque church) and Palazzo Blu (a restored art gallery).

Things to doLeaning Tower of PisaThe construction of Italy’s most famous bell tower started in 1173, and went on for about 200 years. Find out more about the leaning tower of Pisa

Things to doPiazza del CampoSiena’s Piazza del Campo is considered to be one of Europe’s greatest Medieval squares. The sloping piazza is located in the heart of the city, surrounded by restaurants and cafés, with the impressive Duomo stealing the show. Find out more about Piazza del Campo

Things to doVisit LuccaSituated within half an hour of Pisa, the historic city of Lucca sits hidden behind its imposing Renaissance walls, offering tourists a delightful maze of cobbled streets, quaint piazzas and shady promenades.Find out more about Lucca

Flight Information

The majority of international flights arrive into Pisa airport (PSA). Direct flights to Pisa are available from Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle and take approximately 2 hours.

When to go

Tuscany is predominantly a summer destination, with the main tourist season generally running from April to October. Temperatures are at their hottest in July and August, this is also when Tuscany is at its busiest. However, Tuscany also enjoys a mild climate in spring and autumn with temperatures rarely going beneath 20 degrees which makes it perfect for visiting at the beginning or end of season too. The coast has wonderful sea breezes and the hilltop towns are much cooler than the lower countryside villages. The best time to visit is during the quieter season, from April to June and September to October when the weather is good, prices are a bit lower and there are fewer crowds. There are many festivals and events throughout the year in Tuscany and Easter and Christmas are always busy.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.

On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.

On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Tuscany Specialities Tuscany’s tantalising cuisine crosses different budgets and tastes, while retaining its one common theme. Whether you are wandering the local markets sampling gelato, breads or olive oils, tasting the delights of a street food cart, or dining in a family run restaurant, the common themes are simple dishes and high quality ingredients.

Tuscany Specialities Start your taste experience in Tuscany with a bowl of Pappa al Pomodoro, one of the best examples of traditional Tuscan comfort food. Featuring quintessential Italian flavours, this thick bread soup is widely served throughout the region, so why not sample a few variations to find your favourite? Although recipes may vary from town to town, the principle ingredients are the same, and typically include bread, tomatoes, and delicious Tuscan olive oil.

Tuscany Specialities The autumn season doesn’t just mark the harvesting of grapes and olives in Tuscany, it signifies a change in menus through the restaurants and cafés too. Warming hearty stews and pasta dishes are common, but for a real mouth-watering treat try a risotto flavoured with precious truffles or porcini mushrooms. Risotto is a popular part of Italian food culture, and the perfect dish to share with your partner or friends on a bright autumn day.

Tuscany Specialities One of the best ways to end a relaxing Tuscan meal is by satisfying your sweet tooth with Cantucci. These traditional biscuits originated in Prato, and are famous for their crunchy texture and delicious almond flavour. Eat them on their own or go with tradition and enjoy these twice baked delicacies the right way, with Vin Santo (Holy Wine). Often served up as dessert wine for dipping, Vin Santo adds to the nutty, sweet flavours, for an end of meal treat.

Our recommendations

Insider tips from our well travelled team

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Miranda Jump

If you're planning on visiting the Field of Miracles, aim for early morning or later evening to avoid the tour crowds and heat of the day.