10 things to do in Pisa not to be missed in 2024

You are in the city of the famous Leaning Tower, the one that we all try to support in the photos we see around on social media. When thinking what are the things to do in Pisa, it is easy to think of going to see the mysterious Leaning Tower, the undisputed symbol of the town. But limiting this beautiful town to the tower alone is reductive. Believe us, there are many reasons to visit this beautiful city, which is also a treasure chest full of treasures.

According to legend, it was founded by some Greek refugees from the Greek town of the same name, near Olympia in the valley of the River Alphaeus in the Peloponnese.

We have put together for you a guide to things to do in Pisa. Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany and all of Italy. It is a very ancient city, dating back at least to Etruscan times.

Here are the things to do in Pisa, the best attractions and must-sees.

One of the very first things to do in Pisa is definitely to see the world-famous Leaning Tower. It is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in the famous Piazza del Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, of which it is the most famous monument because of its features. Thanks to its slope, it is a symbol of the city of Pisa and one of the most iconic symbols of Italy. It is a self-supporting bell tower 57 metres high, built over a period of two centuries, from the 13th to the 15th century. With a mass of about 15,000 tonnes, it dominates a curved line with dark arcades and six-storey porticoes. The slope is caused by the subsidence of the ground, which occurred already in the early stages of construction. The building has an inclination of almost 4 degrees to the vertical axis. The tower is managed by the Opera della Primaziale Pisana, the body that manages all the monuments in Piazza del Duomo. It has been proposed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Discovering architectural highlights with this guided tour is another of the things to do in Pisa. The tour is comprehensive and includes the wonderful monuments of the Tuscan town. Your guide will take you to Piazza dei Miracoli to discover its monuments, known as 'miracles' for their incredible beauty and uniqueness. Be dazzled by this magnificent square dominated by the Duomo, a typical example of Pisan Romanesque architecture. Admire the famous Leaning Tower, a circular baptistery surrounded by iconic columns. You will have a guided tour inside the cathedral and the largest baptistery in the Catholic world. After the cathedral tour, explore the interior of the world-famous Leaning Tower and climb to the top. You can also access the cemetery, the OPA Museum and the Sinopie Museum.

The Duomo, officially the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is at the centre of Piazza dei Miracoli, and is both the cathedral and the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Pisa. A masterpiece of Pisan Romanesque architecture, it is tangible evidence of the prestige and wealth achieved by the Maritime Republic at its height. The Cathedral of Santa Maria, founded in 1063 thanks to the remains brought by the looting of Palermo and the trials against the Saracens of Reggio, Sardinia and Bona, bears witness to the prestige of the Maritime Republic at its peak. There was a terrible fire in 1595 and the damage to the original sculptures was repaired in the 19th century; today they are preserved in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Everyone knows the Leaning Tower, but Piazza dei Miracoli also owes its name to other monuments. The baptistery and cathedral are a triumph of Gothic and medieval architecture, while the Museo delle Sinopie offers a unique opportunity to learn about the process of creating frescoes. The incredible cemetery with its vaults, tombs and chapels lends the whole a truly majestic atmosphere. These are all things to do in Pisa at least once in a lifetime. Visit them.

Enjoy all that Tuscany has to offer with a guided tour of the city and among the things to do in Pisa, don't miss the opportunity for a wine tasting at the end of the trip. Together with an experienced local guide, discover the wonderful Piazza dei Miracoli, home to famous monuments such as the Duomo, the Baptistery and the Leaning Tower. Discover the fascinating history of each famous feature on a 60-minute tour, followed by an exquisite Tuscan wine tasting by a local expert.

In the heart of the historical centre lies Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights' Square), which is certainly one of the most memorable places and things to do in Pisa. Designed by Giorgio Vasari, the square is named after the Order of Cosimo I de' Medici, seat of the Order of Santo Stefano. Decorated with allegorical figures and zodiac signs, the Piazza dei Cavalieri is also home to important historical buildings such as the Palazzo della Carovana, now the seat of the Scuola Normale di Pisa. But also the bell tower, the so-called 'Tower of Hunger' where Count Ugolino died in 1289, sung by Dante in the Divine Comedy. It also houses the National Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, a late 16th-century church characterised by mannerist architecture and home to famous paintings by Vasari and Bronzino. Piazza dei Cavalieri is located in the historic centre, a few steps from the Torre del Clima and the Lungarno. Reference stop Corsica.

One of the things to do in Pisa must surely be to take a picture of the Church of Santa Maria della Spina. This very small and peculiar church immediately catches your attention. It is located in Lungarno, on the opposite bank of the historical centre, and definitely deserves a photo to post on your social networks. An exceptional example of Pisan Gothic is the small church of S. Maria della Spina, built in 1230 near the Ponte Novo, an important bridge north of the Arno, which connected Via Santa Maria and Sant'Antonio, and destroyed in the 15th century, it was never rebuilt. Initially the building was a small oratory, until 1322, due to the interest of the municipality, work began on its enlargement, which was completed ten years later under the direction of Lupo di Francesco, a Pisan architect and sculptor.

We return to the historical centre and go to Borgo Stretto, one of the most typical and ancient areas, simply called 'il Borgo' by the Pisans. Rich in historical buildings, we can find it not far from the Lungarno. Here we can see the Casino dei Nobili, which dates back to the 18th century, as well as the medieval market under the arcades that still line the streets that open into small squares. The main meeting place is Piazza delle Vettovaglie, which in the evening becomes one of the liveliest areas in the whole town. And if, starting from the Lungarno, one walks along the corridors of Borgo Stretto, its natural continuation is Borgo Largo, which mainly develops around Piazza del Pozzetto. This small area is also characterised by arcades and old-world charm. Borgo Stretto starts from Lungarno Piazza Garibaldi and runs northwards through the historical centre. Ideal for strolling, it is easily reached from Piazza dei Cavalieri. Unmissable among the things to do in Pisa is to stroll and shop at the markets. Reference bus stop Pacinotti 3.