Things to do in Pisa for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Pisa
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Explore Pisa's top landmarks, the Leaning Tower and Cathedral. Skip the lines with a pre-booked, timed entry to the Leaning Tower and enjoy VIP access to the Pisa Cathedral. Begin at the Sinopie Museum to collect your tickets. Then, climb the 55-meter-tall Leaning Tower for great views of the city, cathedral, and Tuscan hills. Next, visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, an example of Pisan Romanesque architecture. Notice the subtle signs of its gradual sinking.
This self-guided audio tour invites you to explore the rich cultural and historical highlights of Pisa, ideal for travelers eager to experience both lively local life and iconic landmarks. The route begins at the vibrant Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, a bustling square framed by elegant architecture and filled with lively cafés where you can enjoy true Pisan atmosphere. From there, the path leads you through charming squares and significant sites, including the colorful Piazzetta Keith Haring, the medieval Logge di Banchi, and the impressive Ponte di Mezzo with scenic views over the Arno River. Along the way, admire sculptures, Gothic churches, and bustling markets, walking past the University of Pisa and historic palaces in Piazza dei Cavalieri. The tour concludes at the world-famous Square of Miracles, home to Pisa's most celebrated landmarks: the Cathedral, Baptistery, Campo Santo, and the iconic Leaning Tower. Here, the radiant white marble and expansive open space offer an unforgettable sight. This journey promises enriching experiences blending artistic heritage, architectural splendor, and vibrant street scenes, giving you a profound appreciation of Pisa's multifaceted charm.
Welcome to the immersive in-app audio tour of the Pisa Tower! Step aboard the medieval Pisan fleet as you embark on a captivating journey through history. Note! This tour DOES NOT include an entrance ticket! Buy it in advance at towerofpisa.org Before you lies a magnificent sight: the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, accompanied by the Leaning Tower and other ancient structures. As you explore, you'll encounter the cathedral, adorned with the Baptistery and its bell tower. On the northern side, fragments of the ancient walls grace the landscape, along with the Monumental gate known as Porta del Leone. Keep an eye out for the Camposanto and the Ospedale of Santo Spirito, which complete this remarkable setting. On the opposite side, discover the Sinopie Museum and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. The tour commences at the tower, the focal point of our expedition, and continues towards the cathedral and other notable monuments. From the tower's summit, take a moment to immerse yourself in the realms of the past and explore the lesser-known cultural intricacies.
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About Pisa
The best walking tours to do in Pisa are:
The best indoor tours in Pisa for rainy days are:
The best tours to do in Pisa with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Pisa for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Pisa
Iuliia Stankina is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2024 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Pisa on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Pisa.
When I visit Pisa, I usually head beyond the tower area and eat in Santa Maria’s backstreets, especially around Via Santa Maria and Piazza delle Vettovaglie, where locals linger over cecina, tripe sandwiches, and good Tuscan wine. For evenings, I recommend San Francesco and Sant’Antonio: these neighborhoods feel more lived-in, with tiny osterie, student energy, and excellent aperitivo spots hidden near Borgo Stretto. If you’re planning to visit Pisa and want real flavor, this is one of my favorite things to do in Pisa. In any travel guide Pisa, I’d also point you toward the Navicelli side for seafood, where Pisa feels refreshingly unpolished and authentic.
I recommend late April to early June, or September into mid-October, when Pisa is bright and lively but not crushed by summer day-trippers. When I visit Pisa in May, I can linger in Piazza dei Cavalieri, cross the Arno at sunset, and still find a table on Borgo Stretto without the August heat. Locals know June 16, Luminara di San Ranieri, is one of the most magical evenings in Pisa, with candles glowing along the riverbanks. In any travel guide Pisa, I’d note that winter is quieter and good for museums, but for weather, atmosphere, and easy things to do in Pisa, spring and early autumn are best if you want to visit Pisa well.
When I’m asked about things to do in Pisa, I always say: climb the Leaning Tower early, then stay in the square long enough to step inside the Baptistery and Cathedral, which many people rush past. For what to see in Pisa beyond the famous field, I love walking through Borgo Stretto to Piazza dei Cavalieri, then following the Arno at golden hour when the palaces turn honey-colored. Among the most rewarding attractions in Pisa, I’d include the mural Tuttomondo and the quieter Museo delle Sinopie. If you’re comparing tours in Pisa, I’d focus on ones that leave time for San Francesco and the local food streets, where Pisa feels real.
When I want a break from the main attractions in Pisa, I usually head just outside the center to San Rossore, where you can bike through pinewoods and spot deer near the old estate roads. Locals also slip down to Marina di Pisa for seafood and a sea breeze, especially at sunset, or to Calci for the Certosa, one of the most underrated places for what to see in Pisa’s surroundings. If you’re looking at tours in Pisa, I’d choose something that includes the Arno riverbanks and then branches into the countryside toward the Monti Pisani. Pisa is compact, so these quieter corners are easy to reach and feel very different from central Pisa.
When I visit Pisa, I usually shop around Borgo Stretto and Corso Italia, but for different moods. Borgo Stretto feels elegant and local, with arcades, small bookshops, old cafés, and better-quality boutiques than the souvenir-heavy streets near the tower. Corso Italia, across the river, is where Pisa gets more everyday and practical, with fashion chains mixed with family-run stores. I also like the lanes around Piazza delle Vettovaglie for food shopping, especially biscuits, cured meats, and Tuscan pantry staples. In my travel guide Pisa, I’d count this among the most enjoyable things to do in Pisa, because Pisa reveals itself well when you browse slowly and cross between both sides of the Arno.
In my travel guide Pisa, I usually recommend at least one full day, but two nights is ideal if you want to feel the city after the day-trippers leave. When I visit Pisa, I like to spend one day on the tower, cathedral, Borgo Stretto, and the Arno, then use the next morning for quieter corners like Piazza dei Cavalieri, Tuttomondo, or the food streets around Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Pisa changes a lot between midday and evening, and that rhythm is part of its charm. If you only visit Pisa for a few hours, you’ll tick off sights, but you’ll miss some of the best things to do in Pisa.
One of my favorite things to do in Pisa with families is combining the Piazza dei Miracoli lawns with a climb up the city walls. Kids get the postcard view of the Leaning Tower, but from the walls they also have space to move and a different angle on the main attractions in Pisa. When I’m with children in Pisa, I usually add a stop at the Botanical Garden nearby, which feels calm and manageable rather than overwhelming. For what to see in Pisa without too much rushing, this mix works beautifully. If you’re comparing tours in Pisa, I’d lean toward shorter walking routes and leave time for gelato on Borgo Stretto afterward.