Pisa is perfect for a quick day trip to explore the city and see some truly iconic landmarks.
If you’re currently staying, or planning to stay in Florence, you can make a day trip to Pisa. But is it worth the day to visit Pisa? We certainly think it’s worth visiting Pisa for a day!
It only takes about 50 minutes on the train, or an hour and 20 minutes by car. With a short travel time, you won’t need to leave too early in the morning to see the main highlights of Pisa. You will only need half a day to walk around and see the ancient streets, and the historic Leaning Tower.
A really easy way to see the highlights of Pisa is going on a guided tour. The tour guides have a set itinerary and will give you facts about the city as you explore. You can book a half-day tour from Florence here.
So, what can you see and do in a day while visiting Pisa? Here are some ideas on places we highly recommend you visit!
Piazza dei Miracoli
The Square of Miracles is the main area in Pisa with the main attractions you’d want to see. The area has the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, the Baptistry, the Monumental Cemetery, and the Sinopie Museum.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most notable buildings in the world. The Leaning Tower was originally built to be a bell tower, but the bells were stopped from ringing in case it worsens the tilt.
If you want to see more of the Leaning Tower, you can buy tickets to climb up to the top. Don’t forget to take a compulsory funny photo with the tower!
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption
This is a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral. It is devoted to the Assumption of St. Mary (Virgin Mary). The cathedral was built between 1063 and 1092.
The Baptistery of San Giovanni
The Baptistery was built between 1152 to 1363 to replace the older baptistery. The structure is beautiful with arches on the columns, white marble, and red tiles on the dome.
The Monumental Cemetery
The cemetery was built over a burial ground. While the original design was a church, it got changed during construction.
The cemetery is huge and shows the influence of Gothic architecture. It has 43 arches on the outer wall, with tombs underneath.
Sinopie Museum
The Sinopie Museum displays a range of original Sinopias and preparatory drawings. Some of these drawings are very rare and date back to the Middle Ages.
Pisa is also a very walkable city. As you’re walking around, you may discover some hidden gems and unique areas throughout the narrow streets.