Pisa Attractions

Visiting the old-white marble torre pendente is pricey at €18 (£15) per person and the climb is hard, but it’s worth it for two reasons – the price includes a tour of the cathedral and the view of Pisa from the top is simply superb.

Mura di Pisa

Built in the 12th century, making them the oldest intact walls in Italy, these medieval ramparts are now open to the public along a 3km (2mi) section – providing spectacular views over the city. They’re open over the weekend: Friday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm, with free tours on Friday evenings.

Cattedrale di Pisa

Palazzo Blu

Palazzo Blu is one of the most exciting art galleries in the city – with recent shows featuring Salvador Dalì, Amedeo Modigliani and Toulouse-Lautrec. The palace also includes a cool cafe and bookshop at the back for an afternoon spent with an espresso and a good book.

National Museum of San Matteo

If you’re into ceramics, wooden sculptures and ancient paintings, the National Museum of Saint Mathew is worth a visit. The collection spans the early medieval period up to the 16th century and includes sculptural works and paintings by Donatello, Beato Angelico and Ghirlandaio.

Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa

Crossing the River Arno after a little walk in Borgo Stretto – a street with several shops – you’ll reach the rounded Piazza dei Cavalieri: one of the most important squares in Pisa. This place is home to Pisa Normal School and Torre della Muda, made famous by Dante’s Inferno.

San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno

Pisa, like many Italian towns, has plenty of beautiful churches to visit. The church of San Paolo, founded in 805CE, is one of the oldest in town and was expanded in the 11th and 12th centuries. It contains a Roman sarcophagus but it’s the Pisan-Romanesque-style façade that is well worth the visit.

Piazza Dante

One of the most beautiful and less touristic squares of Pisa is Piazza Dant – a nice place located near the Faculty of Law in the heart of Pisa. A few tourists come here to sip a coffee, while students come here to relax between classes.

Jardin Botanico de Pisa

The oldest botanic gardens in Italy are in Pisa, just down the main street from the Leaning Tower. It’s maintained by the University of Pisa and hosts rare plants, which are used by students for research and study. The added bonus for budget travellers is that a visit here is free.