Pisa is what to see. Pisa, photos, history, transport, climate, what to see - ItalyMe. How to get there from Pisa train station

Pisa is usually considered a day trip destination. Independent travelers come here both from Florence and from numerous resorts for which the Tuscan Riviera is so famous. At the same time, Pisa can also be considered as a base point for trips around the area. Of course, from this point of view, Pisa is in many ways inferior to Florence (travel routes from Florence are discussed in detail in the corresponding article), but there are strong arguments in favor of settling in Pisa.

Firstly, Pisa has its own international airport, which is often much more convenient and cheaper to fly to than to Florence airport (suitable air tickets can be found on sites such as www.skyscanner.ru, www.momondo.ru, www.aviasales.ru and so on.). Secondly, hotels in Pisa are, on average, noticeably cheaper than hotels (and apartments) located in Florence (read more about where it is more convenient for tourists to live in Pisa). Thirdly, from Pisa it is more convenient to get to the cities of western Tuscany (including not only seaside resorts, but also Lucca in particular), as well as to the famous Cinque Terre National Park, located in neighboring Liguria. As a matter of fact, we will further consider these and other areas in detail. In this case, we will focus primarily on the possibilities of railway transport (see www.trenitalia.com).

So, where can you go for one day from Pisa.

Florence(Firenze)- the most obvious direction. It would be strange to come to Tuscany and not see Florence. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to travel from Pisa to Florence – about an hour by train. However, we should immediately make a reservation that it is worth going to the capital of Tuscany not for a day, but for at least two or three days (the question of where is the best place to stay in Florence has been discussed in detail). In one day, you will only have time to run through the historical center of Florence, briefly examine the main attractions and admire the panorama of the city from the height of Piazzale Michelangelo.

Five Lands National Park, or Cinque Terre(Cinque Terre)– another very obvious destination for a day trip from Pisa. The place is beautiful and no less popular than Florence. There are a lot of tourists here (especially during the summer holiday season), and you need to be prepared for this. Perhaps the best thing you can come up with is, again, to come here not for one, but for several days (you can stay, for example, in Monterosso al Mare - more details). But if you don’t have time, you can go to Cinque Terre from Pisa in one day, since you can get to Monterosso in just over an hour. You can travel with a transfer in La Spezia, but there are also direct trains, which are much more convenient.

Luke(Lucka)– the city is pleasant in all respects: there is something to see, it’s clean, cozy, quiet and, moreover, very close to Pisa (between Pisa and Lucca it’s about 30 minutes by train). It’s definitely worth coming to Lucca for at least half a day, and if you want to take a closer look at the interiors of the local churches, not limiting yourself to visiting the Cathedral of St. Martin, then you can safely budget a whole day for the trip.

Volterra(Volterra), even in comparison with Lucca, not to mention the Cinque Terre and Florence, the place is not so popular among tourists. However, in our opinion, a trip to Volterra can be no less interesting. Volterra is a small city, but here you can find traces of Etruscan civilization, evidence of the ancient Roman era, and, of course, numerous echoes of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance that replaced them. Half a day is more than enough. But getting to Volterra by public transport is not very convenient. From Pisa you can take the train to Pontedera (Pontedera-Casciana Terme station, about 15 minutes), and then take bus number 500 to Volterra (about 1 hour 20 minutes; timetable see www.pisa.cttnord.it) .

It is clear that in this case it is much more convenient to travel by car, especially since in this way, along with Volterra, you can also visit nearby San Gimignano, famous for its medieval skyscraper towers. Siena is located in the same direction.

For road travelers in Tuscany, in general, almost limitless spaces open up, since it is advisable to get to many attractions by car. In particular, let us mention such places as Cave of the Winds (Grotta del Vento), Barga, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Isola Santa, Carrara. All of them are located in the Apennines north of Pisa (this part of the Apennines is often called the Apuan Alps), and within one trip you can easily combine a visit to two or three places from among the above-mentioned or similar ones. East of Pisa are Vinci, San Miniato, Castelfranco di Sotto and other interesting towns. In short, the choice is extremely wide. Fortunately, renting a car in Italy in general and in Pisa in particular is not a problem (see www.rentalcars.com, www.economybookings.com, etc.).

If you turn your attention to the south of Pisa, you will find another interesting place, which for some reason often escapes the sight of travelers. We are talking about the island of Elba.

It can't be said that Elba Island(Isola d'Elba) located near Pisa. The distance between these places is, in general, quite decent (about 170 km). However, from the point of view of traveling around Italy, the most convenient way to get to Elba is through Pisa. Moreover, you can go to this island for at least a week, at least two, since Elba is notable not only as the place of Napoleon’s first exile, but also as an excellent seaside resort. (By the way, you can read more about the sea and beaches near Pisa.) You can get here with a change in Piombino: to Piombino by train (from Pisa about an hour and a half), and from Piombino to Elba by ferry or “meteor” ( see www.toremar.it and www.blunavytraghetti.com). It takes from 40 minutes to an hour to sail to the main town of Elba, Portoferraio, and 15-20 minutes to the town of Cavo. Alternatively, you can reach Elba via San Vincenzo, which also has boat connections to this and other nearby islands (though there are few sailings; see www.aquavision.it). Thus, if we talk about trips to Elba from Pisa, it’s quite possible to go back and forth in a day, and if you like it, then next time you can stay on Elba longer.

Pisa is a city in Italy with many interesting and fascinating attractions. People from almost all over the world flock to Pisa for these attractions. The city is very friendly and loves guests; tourists here feel cozy and comfortable like nowhere else.

Pisa has both luxurious expensive hotels and simple hostels, so Pisa is suitable for both rich and budget tourists. Finding accommodation will not be difficult.

In May 2017, I visited Pisa and I will be publishing interesting videos about this city on the Aviamania channel! At the time of publication of the article, they are not yet ready, so the article will be supplemented with video content and my useful comments)))

The city is relatively small: the population is about 100 thousand people.

By the way, it was in Pisa in 1564 that the well-known Galileo Galilei was born. Therefore, despite its small size, the city gave us a big man.

The climate of Pisa is quite suitable for any Russian: the temperature here in winter rarely drops below zero. The average temperature in winter is 7 degrees Celsius, and in summer – 21. It is best, of course, to visit Pisa in the summer months, then walking will be much more enjoyable, and you can enjoy all the delights of the city to the fullest.

The most remarkable places in the city are two squares: Piazza dei Cavalieri and Cathedral. The latter is more visited and crowded, although we also recommend visiting the first.

Traveling through the streets of the city is a lot of fun, so in addition to exploring the local attractions during the day, evening walks around Pisa are a great addition.

The town is not that big, but in order to really feel the atmosphere of the city, enjoy it, and understand it, we recommend exploring Pisa for at least 3 days.

The city of Pisa, attractions photos and descriptions of which we will consider in this article, has always been a favorite tourist city. But what if you come to Pisa for just one day? Read below.

Pisa what to see in 1 day

If your plans do not include staying in the city for a long time, and you will only stay in Pisa for a day, then you need to see at least the most striking sights.

To do this, we suggest heading to Cathedral Square, where the main attractions of the city are located. These include: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Duomo, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Campo Santo, as well as some museums. After the tour, you will learn more about the skill of Vasari, as well as other outstanding architects and sculptors who took an active part in the formation of the city's historical buildings.

But it should be noted that these are not all interesting places in the city. Pisa is a wonderful city where walking brings a lot of pleasure and allows you to enjoy the unusually beautiful views of the area.

Therefore, if you managed to run through the main noteworthy places, do not rush to leave the city, spend more time exploring other areas. After spending time in the city, you will have unforgettable memories and indelible impressions.

We offer you a one-day itinerary for those who cannot stay in Pisa for a long time.

Below we will describe each of the attractions indicated on the map.

Pisa Cathedral

(Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta )

Once in Pisa, you simply must visit this wonderful place, which is the main attraction of the city. Construction work on the cathedral began in 1064. Thanks to the brilliant architect Busqueto, the building became an example for all buildings in the Pisan-Romanesque style.

Sensitive connoisseurs of history can also discern some presence of the Byzantine style in the cathedral - the mosaic interior.

The appearance on one side is simple - gray stone, white marble, decorated in some places with colored marble. But in general, when the picture is completely revealed before your eyes, you can appreciate this incredible beauty.

From a distance, the Duomo looks very rich and harmonious, the building glows with elegance and superiority. It is no less interesting to see it up close, carefully examining every component detail.

As we know from history, the main doors of the cathedral were destroyed by fire in 1595, but skilled craftsmen were able to make new powerful bronze gates that were in no way inferior to the original. However, they were still rarely used, entering through the Porta di San Ranieri, created by Boganno Pisano.

Here you can also see a copy of the famous statue of the Madonna and Child, as well as the Pisa Griffin, the original of which can be seen in the cathedral museum. The metal griffin is the most voluminous Muslim sculpture.

Once you go inside, you can continue to admire this great building. Particularly striking are the black and white marble patterns and the dome with unique frescoes made in it.

One interesting legend is associated with this cathedral, according to which Galileo created a theory about the movement of celestial bodies while observing the huge lamp of the cathedral. Unfortunately, it can no longer be observed on the territory of the cathedral, but if you wish, visit Campo Santo to get to know this marvel.

The son of the famous Nicola Pisano, Giovanni, who, in fact, is no less famous than his father, contributed to the decoration of the Duomo. Giovanni created a superb carved pulpit, which to this day is included in the list of priceless sculptures of the medieval period.

And this is only a small part of what you can see in the Duomo; you need to study this architectural masterpiece in more detail in person.

Monastery of Campo Santo

If you believe the legends, the place for the construction of the monastery was not chosen by chance, since it was here that Archbishop Ubaldo left a handful of holy soil from Golgotha.

The monastery is designed in a style typical of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Construction took about 2 hundred years, started by the architect Giovanni di Simone. And, as you know, his plans were to build not a memorial cemetery, but a church, but after Giovanni’s death the plans were changed.

Campo Santo is a rather massive structure, which has 43 blind arches and several gates. Most of the tombs are located under arcades. Also, several priceless relics were moved beyond the walls of the monastery: a fragment of the Virgin Mary’s clothing and a thorn from the Crown of Thorns. In addition to them, there are many other interesting and inquisitive historical values.

On the territory of Campo Santo there are three delightful chapels: Ammannati, Aulla, Dal Pozzo, the last two were created with a difference of 76 years (1518-1594), but the oldest is the Ammannati Chapel, which was built in 1360.

It is also interesting to look at the painted sarcophagi and extraordinary frescoes. Their appearance has been preserved thanks to restoration by experienced craftsmen. One interesting event is connected with the restoration work. When the frescoes were carefully removed from the walls, they noticed drawings on the bare surface that were depicted even before the creation of the frescoes.

Some restoration work continues to this day, since during the Second World War Campo Santo was badly damaged, especially the roof and some sculptures. However, this does not stop tourists from admiring the cathedral to their heart's content.

Pisa attractions, photos and descriptions of which we describe in this article, are famous throughout the world thanks to one very famous attraction. You probably already guessed that we are talking about the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Leaning Tower of Pisa Pisa)

People have known about this tower since school age; a special charm and popularity was given to it by its tilted state, in which the Leaning Tower of Pisa has been for many years.

Initially, when construction work began, the architects were aware of the unstable clay soil, but the construction of the world-famous structure was not stopped. In order to ensure maximum safety, it was decided to increase the period of laying the foundation, thereby allowing the soil to subside even before the construction of the tower.

Construction took about 2 centuries, and during this time people constantly fight to maintain the integrity of the structure, which in turn tilts even more, then reduces the angle of inclination. This is also due to the flow of groundwater that passes under the foundation.

At the moment, the difference between the opposite ends of the tower’s foundation is 2 meters, which would seem to be a critical mark, but thanks to the special structure, where the center of gravity is located above the foundation, the tower pleases everyone with its appearance to this day.

The seven-story building attracts tourists not only because of the sensational problem of falling, but also due to its elegant appearance, beautiful decorations and unique architectural design. Also inside the tower there are opening galleries, the halls of which are decorated with bas-reliefs and ornaments.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is undoubtedly one of the city's most important attractions. And as scientists assure, there is no need to worry about its fall for another 3 hundred years.

Pisa Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni)

The Baptistery is located on the same “Field of Miracles” next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And how did attentive readers react now, but why then does this building not suffer from unstable soil? In fact, the Pisa Baptistery has a certain angle of inclination, but very small, less than 1 degree. So visually it’s not even noticeable, although what will happen in hundreds of years is still unknown.

Some travel lovers make their plans and routes in advance, basing them on photographs of the most striking sights of cities. So, judging by the photographic materials, this baptistery may not make any special impression, but the opinion changes radically when you see it “eye to eye.”

Construction work began in the middle of the 12th century and continued for several hundred years. The main goal was to replace the old baptistery. The competent architect Diotisalvi took on this work; in his mind, the form of the structure should have been different - he only managed to build the walls of San Giovanni, but due to his death, Nicola Pisano completed the work.

The new architect saw the continuation differently, and the result was a baptistery with pyramidal walls and a semicircular roof in a more modern Gothic style. The end result was a rather original building.

It is also necessary to note the excellent sculptures of the pulpit made by Pisano; it took him about 5 years to create them.

Pisa Italy attractions except the Field of Miracles

Piazza Palazzo della Carovanna

(Piazza dei Carovana)

The building is located on Piazza dei Cavalieri, which delights tourists with remarkable buildings. Therefore, if you are staying in Pisa for several days, be sure to visit this place.

As the building is also called, the “Palace of Knights” is not very remarkable in its forms and the architect’s design, both outside and inside. The most attractive element is the individual unusual painting on the façade of the walls. It is for this reason that most people come here to admire and take some quality pictures.

As you know, Vasari himself did the finishing, but the coloring that we now see appeared towards the end of the 19th century. A special luxury is the staircase, which has access on both sides.

Nowadays the Normal Higher City School is located inside the building. Before its opening, some restoration work was carried out, including a slight refurbishment of the main staircase and entrance.

Piazza dei Cavalieri

(Piazza dei Cavalieri)

The square is the second most important in the city; once upon a time, celebrations by all the people took place here, as well as meetings where the main problems of the residents were discussed.

It was on Piazza dei Cavalieri that the independence of Pisa was proclaimed in 1406. The main building on the square is the higher educational institution of the Normal School - Palazzo della Caravana.

Great changes occurred during the reign of Cosimo I de' Medici. Then, on his orders, Giorgio Vasari began architectural work, one of which is the design of the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri. Inside it are Turkish flags that were captured during the naval battle.

If you look around, you can see many different buildings that give the square its originality and beauty. And although this is a relatively small area, it is very interesting to visit here, there is something to see.

Church of Santo Stefano dei Quaglieri (Chiesa) dei Cavalieri di Santo Stefano)

The church is distinguished by its construction style; it is not made in Gothic, but in the Renaissance style. The building takes part of its name from its purpose, since by order of Cosimo I de' Medici the church was intended for the knights of St. Stefan. The church was erected in place of the old one - San Sebastiano alle Fabbice Maggiori.

The view that is available in modern times was transformed until 1859, during which time 8 architects managed to work on the church.

Of particular value inside the room are the various flags that were obtained in battles and numerous paintings.

Palazzo del Orologio ( Palazzo dell'Orologio)

The “Clock Palace” is located in Piazza dei Cavalieri, and attracts attention with its unusual shape - a half-open book. Today, the library of the Normal School is located inside.

But if you look into history, the building has gone through numerous reconstructions and restorations. In general, initially these were two different buildings that were connected by a common basement.

The clock can be seen at the top of the central part of the building (above the arch). If you raise your gaze a little higher, you can replace the small bell tower.

At first glance, you wouldn’t think that at some time this building was used for the starvation of one family, the head of which was accused of high treason. But his relatives also suffered punishment.

Church of Santa Maria della Spina Santa Maria della Spina)

In appearance, the church is small and seemingly unremarkable, but if you take a closer look at the building, you will notice that the facade is made of marble and looks quite beautiful. Particularly striking is the top of the building with many sculptures by Pisano and figured decoration.

It is worth going around the building from all sides; it is better to do this in a hurry, carefully examining each element. But if you are in a hurry to get inside quickly, you will be a little disappointed, since the interior design is nothing unusual - one large room with a modest ceiling decoration.

True, the sculpture located in the center of the room – the Madonna Rose – attracts the eye. If you look around, you can see a few more rather interesting statues, but that's all.

Museum Ospedale Nuovo di Santo Spirito

(The Ospedale di Santo Spirito)

The building is located on the main square of the city – the Field of Miracles. And while tourists undoubtedly admire other buildings, they are at first perplexed by this, since it is immediately unclear what it is and what it is for.

In appearance, the building fits perfectly into the area: long, low, gloomy, dark. Now it houses a museum where visitors can learn a lot of new and interesting things about culture and world art. But previously this building was intended for the treatment of patients.

Hospital of St. Spirit was built instead of a small hospital in 1257. And it played a big role for poor and sick people, as well as for abandoned children.

At first, the building was even gloomier, but during the reign of Cosimo I de' Medici, by order of the Duke, a reconstruction was carried out, which allowed it to more or less blend into the surrounding environment of the square.

The hospital began to play the role of a museum at the end of the 20th century, when various frescoes and valuables damaged after the Great Patriotic War began to be stored in the premises.

We got acquainted with the city of Pisa, the sights of which were discussed in photos and descriptions in this article. When traveling around Europe, be sure to set aside at least 1 day to visit this beautiful city. Have a nice trip!

The museum city of Europe, located in a bend of the Arno River, amazes tourists with the abundance of architectural attractions built in the Middle Ages. Majestic churches, cathedrals and other ancient buildings of the 12th-18th centuries organically coexist with modern buildings, and this gives the Italian city a unique flavor.

In this article we will share a description of all the attractions of Pisa with photos and recommendations for visiting.

About the city

In the Middle Ages the city was a major maritime hub, its huge port received ships from a variety of countries every day, and English, French, and Arabic were heard on the pier.

Modern Pisa no longer has its own access to the sea, although it is located half an hour from the Tyrrhenian coast. Today the city is famous throughout the world for its famous architectural structures, which are a medieval heritage.

What to see?

When the name of the city - Pisa - is mentioned in a conversation, a landmark that comes to mind is the most recognizable and famous landmark in Italy - the Leaning Tower of Pisa. However, Pisa has many beautiful churches and cathedrals, huge museums with interesting collections, palaces and simply interesting places where you can stroll.

For example, Square of Miracles (aka Cathedral Square), where the main attractions of Pisa are located - the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery, the Cathedral, Campo Sante.

University of Pisa and Botanical Garden represent a whole architectural complex. The educational institution received University status in the middle of the 13th century, and its work began a century earlier. Mostly humanitarian disciplines were studied here, and later a medical faculty was opened (it was at this faculty that Galileo Galilei was admitted at one time).

Among the patrons and patrons of the arts many influential people of that time were listed, for example, Duke Cosimo from Tuscany and the Medici family (the Botanical Garden appeared under their patronage). Among the famous students who studied at the University are the scientist Galileo Galilei (graduated from the Faculty of Medicine), physicist Carlo Rubia (Nobel laureate), opera tenor Andrea Bocelli (Faculty of Law).

The Botanical Garden presents the entire diversity of the world's flora - for example, a collection of cacti, camellias, hydrangeas and other “blooming” beauty. There is a fee to visit the garden - a ticket costs 3 €.

Architectural landmarks

About 90 sarcophagi dating back to antiquity and the Middle Ages have survived to this day, and sculptures and bas-reliefs inside the covered galleries depict scenes from the Old Testament.

Museums

Churches and cathedrals

In the same years when the construction of the Cathedral was underway, St. Mark's Cathedral was being built in Venice, so the architects tried to outdo each other in the solemnity and pretentiousness of the structures being erected.

• The modern appearance of the Cathedral is due to numerous restorations; all sculptures on the façade and inside the cathedral premises have been replaced with copies, and the originals can be admired in the Cathedral Museum. Inside the Cathedral, in its main hall, you can see another miracle - lamp "Lamp of Galileo": A huge bronze chandelier hanging from a height of 50 meters sways with the slightest breath of wind, and it is truly a breathtaking sight.

  

  You can visit the cathedral daily from 8 to 19 hours (in winter - until 17 hours), ticket price to the museum is 2 euros, and the cathedral itself can be viewed for free.
  

• Church of Santa Maria della Spino is small and not as majestic as other church buildings, but for a long time it housed an ancient Christian relic - a thorn from the crown of thorns that was on the head of Jesus Christ (later this relic was transferred to the Church of Santa Chiara).

  

• St. Catherine's Church, built in the 13th century, features a beautiful façade made of white and gray marble.

  

  In the second half of the 17th century, the church survived the fire, which caused some damage to the interior of the church. Fortunately, almost all the icons, numerous paintings and frescoes have survived, and today the works of the Middle Ages masters are available for inspection.
  

• Baptistery in Pisa.

  The round building in the Romanesque style began to be built at the beginning of the 12th century (1153) according to the design of the architect Diotisalvi, who was later joined by the sculptors Nicolo and Giovanni Pisano. Initially, the baptistery was conceived as a place for performing the sacrament of Baptism. If you look closely at the Baptistery, you will see you can notice a slight tilt towards the Pisa Cathedral.

  

Pisa is once a port city located 10 km from the Ligurian Sea. In the past, it had important strategic and commercial importance in the life of Italy and competed with such significant port cities as Venice or Genoa due to its access to the sea.

Today, Pisa is a world-famous tourist city, where all fans of Italian architecture come to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa with their own eyes.

Photo: Rosty McFly / Shutterstock.com

But when planning a trip to Pisa, rest assured that the “leaning tower” is by no means the only asset of this ancient city. As in most Italian cities, tourists can see historical architectural monuments, magnificent houses, churches, cathedrals and towers built in past centuries on literally every street.

The most famous attractions are located in the main Square of Miracles, where the famous Pisa Cathedral, the baptistery and the monumental cemetery are located.

And, of course, the city is simply filled with the unique Italian flavor of elegance, magic and significant historical heritage.

Location and population of the city

Pisa is part of the Tuscany region and the administrative center of the province of Pisa. The city borders the province of Lucca, the city of Siena, Florence and Livorno. Consists of 39 municipalities.

Pisa is located a few kilometers from the Tyrrhenian coast and covers an area of ​​about 185 square meters. The city space is divided by the Arno River.

The total population of Pisa is approximately 100,000 people, most of whom are students at the University of Pisa, which is one of the oldest universities in Italy.

Climate in Pisa

Since Pisa is located in the south of Italy, it is characterized by a Mediterranean climate.

During the summer months, temperatures in Pisa can rise to 30 degrees, and most of the time the weather is sunny with minimal rain. If we add to this a significant influx of tourists, then many hours of walking around the city in the summer may not be suitable for everyone.

Many tourists prefer to come here in the spring, when it is not yet so hot, but it is very sunny and the numerous gardens begin to open up in all their splendor, which makes walking around Pisa as comfortable as possible.

The weather here is also favorable for travelers in the fall, however, you can find yourself here on a few days of heavy rain.

Photo: Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock.com

But in winter, on the contrary, the weather can be unpredictable, it rains a lot, the city is often covered in fog, the air temperature stays around 3 degrees.

How to get to Pisa

The easiest route to get to Pisa depends on your departure location.

This famous tourist city has its own airport, named after the great Galileo Galilei. International airlines fly here directly from Italian cities and from a large number of cities in other countries. These include large air carriers and numerous low-cost airlines.

Also from the main railway station of Pisa - Pisa Centrale - you can travel by train from Rome (travel time is about 3.5 hours), Milan (also about 4 hours), Genoa (approximately 2 hours travel time), Livorno (about 15 minutes) , Florence (about 1.5 hours), Pistoia (about one hour), Lucca (travel time about half an hour).

If you are vacationing in the resort town of Rimini, you can organize a short trip to Pisa also by train, with two transfers.

How to get from Pisa to other cities

Read our articles on how to get to other cities from Pisa:

Airport in Pisa

All planes arriving in Pisa land at Galileo Galilei International Airport. In addition to a large number of major airlines, numerous low-cost airlines also fly to Galileo Galilei Airport - Easy Jet, Air Baltic, Wizz Air, Vueling and others.

Therefore, many tourists come to this airport in order to easily get by bus to other nearby cities - Siena or Florence.

The airport is very close to the historical center of Pisa - just 4 km. Therefore, you can quickly get to Pisa by train or bus, or you can rent a car or order a transfer from the airport. Convenient transport links are organized in such a way that trains and buses depart every 10 minutes.

Transport in Pisa

Since Pisa is a fairly small city, and the main attractions are located in the central Square of Miracles, the best way to get acquainted with the culture, history and atmosphere of the city is simply by walking around it.

Photo: Judah Grubb / Shutterstock.com

You can also rent a bicycle, the cost of such rental will be about 10 euros per day.

Car rental in Pisa

If you prefer not to adapt to public transport schedules, then it is better to rent a car in Pisa. This way you can see all the sights on your own, create your own route around the city and easily get from one part of Pisa to another.

If you rent a car, you won’t have to study the bus schedule, look for stops and buy tickets.

You can compare prices and rent a car at www.rentalcars.com.

Cafes and restaurants in Pisa

As in most Italian cities, cafes and restaurants in the central square are overpriced and the food is not the most delicious. It's best to head to nearby areas where Italians themselves dine and where the food is truly excellent value for money.

Photo: Catarina Belova / Shutterstock.com

A large number of excellent restaurants in Pisa are also located on Via San Martino, Via Mercanti, or in the Piazza delle Vettovaglie area.

Shopping

If you suddenly find yourself in Pisa in winter, when the city is often foggy and a cold, piercing wind blows, then it’s time to go shopping. Fortunately, there is definitely no shortage of fashion boutiques and shops in Pisa.

There are many neighborhoods in Pisa dedicated to shopping lovers, where you can buy literally everything, from stylish clothes, bags, high-quality Italian shoes to world-famous elegant Italian jewelry.

The main part of the brand stores is located on the streets of Borgo Stretto and Corsa Italia.

Luminara Festival in Pisa

If you want to truly feel the spirit of the city and find yourself at the same time at a bright and spectacular event, without being afraid of the summer heat, then do not miss the city holiday, which is celebrated on June 17.

On this day, the famous Luminara festival takes place here. Just imagine, the already stunningly beautiful city illuminated at sunset with the light of a thousand candles! The holiday, dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Rainier, is accompanied by various performances, concerts and fireworks.

How to save money on a hotel in Pisa

If you are a true fan of Italian culture, then stopping in this city for a couple of hours is definitely not for you.

In order not only to take a photo next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but also to stroll along the wonderful streets of this city and see its other attractions, you need to spend at least several days here.

When choosing a place to stay, pay attention to hotels located in the very center: from your room window you can see the main attraction of the city every morning. If you prefer to live away from the tourist bustle, then look at accommodation options in areas more distant from the center.

Compare prices and book a suitable hotel profitably on the website www.roomguru.ru.

This aggregator combines offers from various booking systems (Booking, Agoda, Ostrovok), so you can choose a hotel at the lowest cost.

The city of the Leaning Tower is famous all over the world. It would be wrong to think that the tower alone attracts tens of thousands of tourists here every year. Of course, the times when the glory of Pisa, a formidable maritime power, thundered throughout Europe are long gone. Unique buildings remain from those times: churches, towers, city walls. Today Pisa is a small city with a population of about 100 thousand people, more than half of whom are students of the famous University of Pisa. So, in addition to visiting historical sights, there is something to entertain yourself in the city.

Tourists usually leave Pisa, as they say, “for dessert”. In fact, the city is not big; a day is enough to explore it. Just believe me, this day should be full. In this article I will tell you what you need in Pisa see,where to go And what to try.

In Pisa, despite its small size, there is plenty to choose from when it comes to accommodation. Of course, the most expensive hotels are located in the center: on the Arno embankment and in the Centro Storico. The price is determined by proximity to attractions and views from the room window. The closer your hotel is to the Leaning Tower, the higher the price. Often these hotels occupy ancient buildings that are not equipped with elevators, have no parking, and the size of the rooms is simply tiny.

I must say that area around the train station not as noisy as other Italian cities. There are many hotels, hostels, B&Bs. Even if the views from the window are not the most picturesque, modern hotels will offer you spacious rooms with all amenities, there is also free parking, and some hotels offer shuttle buses to the airport. And all this at quite affordable prices. In addition, the walk to the same Piazza dei Miracoli from here is only 20-25 minutes.

Here is a selection of discounts from booking.com:

What and where to eat in Pisa

Although Pisa is a Tuscan city, and therefore its cuisine is Tuscan, it still has its own characteristics and nuances. Italian cuisine, as a rule, does not abound in soups. In Pisa you have the opportunity to try San Michele bean soup, frog soup and the famous Pisan tagliatelle pasta soup, olives and tomatoes.

There are many restaurants and cafes in the city. Restaurants located near Piazza dei Miracoli often do not differ in the quality of food and affordable prices. So follow the rule: eat where the locals eat.

Trattoria San Omobono

Excellent Tuscan cuisine, cozy design, lunch within 20-25 euros. Please note that the trattoria is popular, it is better to reserve seats.

The trattoria is open daily from 12:30 to 14:30 and from 19:30 to 22:00, on Sundays only from 12:30 to 14:30.

Address: Piazza Sant'Omobono, 6.

Pizzeria-trattoria La Buca

Pizza and Tuscan cuisine are in close proximity to the main attraction of Pisa, but there are no abundance of tourists here. Lunch - around 30 euros. It is located right behind Piazza dei Miracoli.

The pizzeria is open every day except Sunday from 12:15 to 14:30 and from 19:15 to 22:30.

Address: Via Galli Tassi, 4 −6b/ Via Santa Maria, 171.

Osteria In Domo

It is located very close to the Square of Miracles, but amazingly, tourists don’t know about it, but local residents really appreciate it. Excellent food, Tuscan cuisine, leisurely and friendly service. The average bill is about 30 euros. The portions are impressive.

Opening hours: daily from 11:30 to 23:00, on Monday from 9:00 to 15:30.

Address: via Santa Maria, 129.

What to see in Pisa

Pisa, unlike Florence, is not so rich in architectural monuments. There are far fewer of them here. But with what this city has, Pisa can outshine many of its competitors in the tourism business. I offer you a route through the main attractions of Pisa from the train station to the Square of Miracles.

I'll tell you what to see in Pisa besides the tower.

Map of Pisa

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Church of San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno

No document indicates when this church was built. The first mentions of it date back to the 10th century. One of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Tuscany, it has been rebuilt several times. In the 12th century it was given a similarity to a cathedral. The Pisans called and call this church “Duomo Vecchio” - the Old Duomo. Construction of the existing façade of the church began in the 12th century and was completed in the 14th. Stored inside the church 13th century crucifix, frescoes by Buonamico Buffalmacco, "Madonna and Child" by Turino Vanni,Ancient Roman sarcophagus from the 2nd century. Behind the church is the 11th century chapel of St Agatha with amazing wall paintings. Due to restoration work, the church is closed to visitors, but it is worth visiting the building itself - it is very beautiful.

Church of Santa Maria della Spina

A small Gothic church on the banks of the Arno dates back to the 13th century.

This elegant architectural box was originally called Santa Maria Pontenovo because it was located near a bridge that was later destroyed. Since the 14th century, a relic has been kept in the church - thorn from Christ's crown of thorns. Therefore the church changed its name to Spina, which means "thorn". In the 19th century, due to the threat of a river flood, the church was dismantled and reassembled on a higher place. The building is richly decorated with statues of famous Pisan masters; marble of different colors is used to decorate the facades of the temple.

The inside of the church is surprisingly modestly decorated. Its main value today can be called the sculptural works of Andrea and Nino Pisano, created in the 14th century.

Church website on the Internet: ilturista.info.

The church is open to visitors:

• from Tuesday to Sunday - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00,
• on Saturday and Sunday - from 10:00 to 19:00 (April-September), from 10:00 to 14:00 (October-March).

Entrance - 2 euros.

National Museum of San Matteo

On the Arno embankment stands the building of the former medieval monastery of San Matteo, which now houses an art museum. The collection contains a unique collection of paintings by Pisan and Tuscan masters of the 12th-17th centuries. It houses a priceless collection of archaeological artifacts and items from the Middle Ages. Painted crosses, wooden sculptures, bas-reliefs, ceramics, medieval manuscripts - you will find all this in the halls of San Matteo.

The museum is open every day except Monday from 8:30 to 19:00, on weekends until 13:30.

The ticket costs 5 euros.

Museum website on the Internet: sbappsae-pi.beniculturali.it.

Botanical Garden

The Orto Botanical Garden in Pisa is one of the oldest in the world

The Pisa Botanical Garden was founded in 1544 and is considered the oldest in the world. However, the famous Botanical Garden of Padua disputes this fact. It itself was founded a year later, but the Pisa Garden changed its location several times.

In the Botanical Garden of Pisa today you will see more than 550 different plants. There is a Botanical Museum on the territory of the garden.

Schedule:

• winter - daily from 9:00 to 17:00,
• summer - daily from 8:30 to 20:00.

The box office stops selling tickets one hour before the garden closes.

There is a single ticket to the museum and the garden, it’s worth it 4 euros.

Piazza dei Cavalieri - Square of the Knights

One of the main squares of Pisa lies on the site of the ancient forum Portus Pisanus - the Pisa harbor.

Both in Roman times and during the era of the Pisan Republic, political life was in full swing here. The square was surrounded by churches and palaces; victories were celebrated and city problems were solved on the square. It was here that in 1406 the Florentine envoy declared that the independent Pisan Republic no longer existed. The city was annexed to the Florentine Republic.

In 1558, the Piazza was rebuilt by Giorgio Vasari in the Renaissance style.

The square is crowned by the Palazzo della Carovana, the main building of the University of Pisa. The facade of the palace is decorated with sgraffito - a special technique of wall paintings. The façade is also decorated with 6 busts of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.

On the other side of the square is the Palazzo dell'Orologio. The building, built in the 14th century, has undergone many reconstructions. In the 16th century, the palace received its current appearance; Vasari worked on its design. At the beginning of the 17th century, the walls of the palace were painted by the artists Marucelli and Palladini. The clock was installed in 1696.

Several more palazzos and the Church of St. Stephen overlook Piazza dei Cavalieri. In the center of the square is a statue of Cosimo I de' Medici.

Piazza dei Miracoli - Square of Miracles

This square is a pearl from the collection of attractions of Pisa. This is where all the tourist people flock

The first of the buildings is the Duomo. Construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta began in 1064; the cathedral was consecrated in 1118, but work continued. The architecture of the cathedral includes several styles: Byzantine, Lombard, you can even find Islamic motifs, which symbolized the military strength and scope of trade of the Pisan Republic. As a result, the style in which the Duomo was built was called the Pisan Romanesque style.

The interior of the cathedral was seriously changed after a severe fire in 1595. Black and white marble walls, gilded ceiling, frescoed dome. Mosaic of the apse, in which he was involved Cimabue, survived the fire, as did the marble pulpit of the work Giovanni Pisano. These masterpieces must be seen. There is a chandelier in the cathedral called "Galileo's lamp". According to legend, observing the swinging of this chandelier, Galileo discovered the isochronism of pendulum oscillations.

Baptistery of San Giovanni built in 1152-1363. It is considered the largest baptistery in the world. The building began to be erected in the Romanesque style and was finished in the Gothic style.

The first tier is decorated with Romanesque arches with narrow windows, the second and third tiers are decorated with double arches and Gothic finials. In contrast to the strict first tier, the upper tiers are richly decorated with stone carvings. The decoration of the baptistery includes many sculptures and busts. The interior decoration of the baptistery is very strict and restrained, which makes a strong impression on visitors.

The baptistery contains a 13th-century font in which Galelio Galilei was baptized in 1564.

Inside you can see a beautifully crafted pulpit made Niccolo Pisano. It is this pulpit that is considered the first major work of the Italian Proto-Renaissance.

Behind the Duomo stands the same famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, aka the Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The tower was founded in 1173, construction was completed in 1360.

The project initially had a mistake: a small tower foundation in soft clay-sandy soil.

“When the Leaning Tower of Pisa falls, there will be one less hope in this world...” - it is unknown which great author of this immortal phrase is

The tower began to tilt after the third tier was built. Throughout the history of the tower, Pisan builders repeatedly tried to stop its tilt. At times this was successful. One day they even seriously thought about leveling it completely, but stopped in time: it was the leaning tower that attracted a lot of guests to the city and brought profit. Today, the openwork structure made of white marble attracts crowds of tourists who not only climb its tiers, but also diligently “support” the tower, posing for the photo lens.

Behind the Duomo and the Baptistery is located Campo Santo (Holy Field)- monumental cemetery. It was built between 1278 and 1464.

"Holy" cemetery of Campo Santo

This cemetery is called holy because, according to legend, the cloister building was erected on land from Golgotha, which was brought by the Bishop of Pisa after the IV Crusade.

This building is the last of the buildings that were erected in Piazza dei Miracoli. You can see three chapels, ancient frescoes, Roman and Etruscan tombs and urns.

Opposite the Duomo, the baptistery and the tower is located Sinopia Museum.

Sinopia is a preparatory drawing for a fresco, made on the wall before applying the top layer of plaster, on which the fresco itself was painted.

The uniqueness of the sinopias is that they were applied by the master, and the students then painted the fresco along his contour. Such synopias are collected in the museum.

Working hours:

• Duomo - from 10:00 to 18:00 in winter, from 10:00 to 20:00 in summer;
• Baptistery - from 9:00 to 18:00 in winter, from 8:00 to 20:00 in summer;
• Tower - from 9:00 to 18:00 in winter, from 8:00 to 20:00 in summer;
• Camposanto - from 9:00 to 18:00 in winter, from 8:00 to 20:00 in summer;
• Sinopia Museum - from 9:00 to 18:00 in winter, from 8:00 to 20:00 in summer.

Ticket prices:

• Tower - 18 euros,
• Duomo - Free admission.

Entry to the rest of Piazza dei Miracoli is of your choice:

• one object - 5 euros,
• two objects - 7 euros,
• three objects - 8 euros.

The ticket office is located in the Sinopian Museum and in the building located behind the tower and Duomo.

Tickets can be purchased on the website: opapisa.it.

There are many more beautiful and amazing places in Pisa: museums, churches, medieval towers, remains of the harbor, city walls and gates, palaces. If you wish, you can stay here for another day to calmly explore everything, enjoy a stroll along the Arno embankment, enjoy the peace of a cozy Tuscan city, and in the evening merge with young people in a nightclub or bar.

Nightlife in Pisa

The main bars, nightclubs and discos in Pisa are located along the Arno River. It is always crowded and noisy here, the music never stops.

The Wall Lunch & American Bar.

It is perfect for a holiday with a large group. They have their own signature cocktails.

The bar is open from Wednesday to Sunday, opening hours: from 19:00 to 02:00.

Address: via Cardinale Pietro Maffi, 26.