Pisa Travel Guide

If you've already made up your mind to go to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, don't. That is, don't limit yourself -- although you must certainly begin your tour with the landmark feature that has made this city in Tuscany, Italy famous. But after this, there are other sights worth exploring in this highly artistic town. Pisa is small, safe and very walkable, so it's easy to explore the sights along the Piazza dei Miracoli as well as the north and south sides of the Arno River.

Sights

Don't just take a picture of the Leaning Tower -- climb it. Now that it is open to the public again after extensive reconstruction to keep it from leaning further and toppling over, visitors can climb up its 300 steps and get great views of the city from the top. The Duomo di Pisa with its bronze doors and biblical scenes and the Battistero with its cool acoustics that echo around the interior are also noteworthy attractions. The oldest botanical gardens in Europe, the Orto Botanico di Pisa, are also close by. While a cemetery is not exactly on any tourist's itinerary, do make time for Campo Santo Monumentale. With its haunting frescoes and ancient sarcophagi, this is a resting place unlike any other. Art lovers can further explore the unique works exhibited at the Museo del Opera del Duomo and the Museuo delle Sinopie. There are also other attractions in the riverside streets of the Lungarni. These include the Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza XX Settembre, the Museo di San Matteo and the Giardino Scotto.   

Restaurants

Pizza and pasta made with fresh tomatoes, olive oil and flavorful cheeses, beans and fish are the true treasures of Pisa. You'll be paying for ambiance if you dine in the many restaurants around Campo dei Miracoli, so eating here is quite expensive. For more affordable but equally good food, some say even better, head to where Pisans and the rest of the student population eat – the Piazza Cavalieri and Piazza Dante. Good food can also be found in the cafes along the Piazza delle Vettovaglie and along Via San Martino. 

Shopping

The main shopping district in Pisa is centered on the Corso Italia. Another shopping area is the strip along the Via Borgo Stretto. For chocolatey delights, head to Bonbon. Emporio Armani is the epitome of upscale shopping in the street's high-end area. For more affordable fashions, head to Marina di Pisa Market.

Where to Go in Pisa