Weekend in Pisa: the perfect itinerary from Friday to Sunday

To make sure you don't miss anything and make the most of your visit to the city of Pisa, let's start building your weekend itinerary.

You will have three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, to immerse yourself in the culture, history and gastronomy of Pisa. If your departure is from Rome or Naples , you can take advantage of InStazione for the organisation. It is a conciergerie service that will offer you information on tours, tickets, train schedules, shops, hotels or pizzerias throughout Italy. Thanks to InStazione you can have a unique travel experience with professionals always ready to advise you and to plan and organise your holiday with tailor-made excursions.

In this way, your arrival in Pisa will be more comfortable and safer. Once you have arrived in the city of the Leaning Tower, we recommend that you organise walks around the city and take in the characteristic sights. Renting a means of transport or consulting public transport timetables, again thanks to InStazione, you can also move a few kilometres from Pisa and immerse yourself in the nature of the San Rossore Park.

Moreover, with this itinerary you will discover the night life and the best places to eat and sleep. 

Let's see everything in detail now, are you ready to go?

Once you have arrived at your destination and settled your luggage in your hotel, you can start your weekend in Pisa with the Friday afternoon itinerary. We recommend a walk along the Lungarno, the banks of the Arno river that flows through the city. This will be an opportunity to admire the historical buildings overlooking the river and you can visit the Church of Santa Maria della Spina, a splendid example of Gothic architecture located right along the river.

After your walk, treat yourself to dinner at one of the city's historic restaurants, such as Osteria dei Cavalieri or Trattoria da Stelio. Both restaurants offer carefully revised traditional Tuscan cuisine. You can try typical dishes such as zuppa pisana, a variation of ribollita made with black cabbage, bread and beans, or cacciucco, an intensely flavoured fish soup.

In the afternoon, after a break for lunch, you can visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, which houses a collection of medieval works of art related to the history of the square, and stroll through the historical centre. There is Borgo Stretto, one of the most characteristic streets of the city, full of shops and cafés, and then you could stop in one of the historic cafés to enjoy a typical Pisan coffee.

Another place to relax may be Piazza delle Vettovaglie, the heart of Pisa's evening life, where you can stop for an aperitif or dinner in one of the many typical bars. You are in the San Francesco district. It is famous for its restaurants offering traditional Tuscan cuisine. Try typical dishes such as ribollita, pappa al pomodoro or a good board of local cold cuts.

After dinner, explore Pisa's lively nightlife. The Borgo Stretto district is ideal for an evening stroll among the bars and small pubs. Stop at Gesto Pisa for a cocktail in a modern setting or at the Volta Pagina Literary Café, a bar-bookshop offering cultural events. If you like live music, look for a venue like the Blitz Live Music Pub for an evening of rock and alternative music.

As mentioned above, one of the best alternatives for getting to Pisa is by train. In this way, and also thanks to the use of InStazione's services (active 24 hours a day), you can comfortably arrive at Pisa Centrale station, which is a short walk from the main attractions and the historical centre. Moreover, thanks to the conciergerie service, with InStazione, you can get a guide to the best hotels and restaurants in the area.

Below, we have decided to help you understand where is best to sleep in Pisa, according to your needs: you will find that there are various solutions.

For a romantic getaway, the historical centre area is perfect. Here you can find small B&Bs or boutique hotels overlooking the Arno river, or accommodation close to the Lungarni, the riverside streets that are really atmospheric at sunset. Areas such as Piazza dei Miracoli and Borgo Stretto are ideal if you want to stay close to historical monuments, but in an intimate atmosphere. Often these establishments offer rooms with typical furnishings and breakfast included, for a stay that combines comfort and authenticity.

If you're travelling with friends, you might opt for accommodation near the train station or near the San Francesco district. Here you'll find flats and hostels that allow you to share common areas and, at the same time, have easy access to transport for excursions in the surrounding area. This area also offers many nightclubs, restaurants and bars, perfect for having fun without straying too far from your accommodation.

If you are travelling alone and want peace and quiet but also a central location, consider accommodation in the Sant'Antonio area, in the southern Arno district. Here you'll find quality hostels and family-run B&Bs, perfect for meeting other travellers or having a quiet moment. The location is also great for exploring the centre on foot and reaching attractions such as Piazza dei Cavalieri and the Church of Santa Maria della Spina within minutes.

For those wishing to explore the main attractions comfortably, staying near Piazza dei Miracoli is ideal. In this area you will find hotels in various price ranges, with facilities designed for those travelling with children or elderly people. Some hotels also offer spacious rooms and family-friendly services, such as generous breakfasts and multiple rooms. The advantage of staying here is its proximity to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery and the Cathedral, perfect for spending a day visiting the main monuments.

In the morning, we recommend a visit to the Giardino Scotto and Piazza dei Cavalieri. The Garden is a true green lung in the city where you can relax in the shade of centuries-old trees. In case you are visiting Pisa during a hot season, it is an excellent opportunity to enjoy some fresh air.

After this break, head to the charming Piazza dei Cavalieri, designed by Giorgio Vasari and former seat of the Order of the Knights of Santo Stefano. Here you can admire the Palazzo della Carovana and the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri.

As for the afternoon, you could take a short trip out of town. It is not a long distance, of course. In fact, we recommend a trip to the San Rossore Park. If you have some time available, a short excursion to the nature reserve of San Rossore Park could be the icing on the cake of your weekend. It is located a few kilometres from the centre of Pisa, and since summer 2024 the municipality has activated a bus line from the city to the park. You will have to take line 26: the service operates on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. This park will offer you the opportunity to visit nature trails, perfect for a walk, a bike ride or sitting in a horse-drawn carriage. 

Pisa is not only a medieval city but also hides lesser-known attractions. If you still have some time left in your weekend you can consider including these destinations in your itinerary. Remember that if you want to cycle around the city or find out about points of interest, you can do so via the InStazione app that can be downloaded on all smartphones. 

The first tip we give you, among Pisa's hidden gems, is the Museo della Grafica. Located in the Palazzo Lanfranchi, on the Lungarno Galilei, this little-known museum houses a collection of prints and drawings, with temporary exhibitions by international artists. A fascinating place for lovers of art and graphics, far from the traditional tourist routes.

Also, you might consider a visit to Keith Haring's mural. In 1989, the famous American artist painted a huge mural called ‘Tuttomondo’ on one of the walls of the Church of St Anthony Abbot. The work, full of bright colours and symbols of peace, is one of the last murals made by Haring before his death.

Finally, why not enjoy a walk along the ancient city walls. They have been recently restored and can be walked, offering a panoramic view of Pisa. The walk along the walls is an interesting and little-known way to explore the city from a different perspective.