One Day in Pisa Itinerary – How to Spend 24 Hours in Pisa, Italy
I’ve been to Italy many times, and it’s actually my favorite country to visit in Europe. And on one trip, on my way to Florence, I decided to spend 1 day in Pisa to see the iconic Leaning Tower first.
I’m so glad that I did, because Pisa turned out to be beautiful, full of character, and much more interesting than just its famous tower.
Luckily, as a small city, you can still get the best out of Pisa in one day, and I’ve created this itinerary of the unmissable sites to help you get the most out of your visit.
In a Hurry?
Book these Pisa essentials:
Guided Tour of Piazza dei Miracoli
One Day in Pisa Itinerary
Morning – Piazza dei Miracoli
9:00 AM: Get Coffee With A View
Starting the day with an espresso and a view is one of the best things you can do in Pisa, and luckily, there are many great coffee places to choose between.
Some are more authentic (like Caffetteria Carraia Del Nicchio) and some more industrial (like Filter Coffee) but, if you go to café Bistrot dell’Opera, located on the second floor of the Museo dell’Opera, you’ll get an amazing view of the Leaning Tower from the terrace while you have breakfast!
10:00 AM: Piazza dei Miracoli
If there is one place you MUST visit in Pisa, it’s this UNESCO World Heritage site, which includes the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa!
The Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) is a stunning complex in Pisa that includes some of Italy’s most famous architectural structures: the Pisa Cathedral, the Baptistery of Pisa (the largest in Italy!), the Camposanto Monumentale, and, of course, the Leaning Tower.
These are all close together and easy to walk around within an hour, but there is a lot of history to take in, so book this tour to make sure you don’t miss any details and get a chance to visit quieter spots away from the crowds!
10:15 AM: Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa)
The first monument to be constructed in the Square of Miracles, the Duomo di Pisa, is a Romanesque masterpiece and was considered one of the greatest architectural feats of its time when it was built.
The exterior and interior are both ornately decorated with marble and mosaics, and if you’re a fan of art or architecture, this can’t be missed. The inside is particularly beautiful, featuring a rare painting style called encaustic in the dome’s ceiling and a famous pulpit designed by Giovanni Pisano.
10:45 AM: Battistero di San Giovanni
St. John’s Baptistery is the largest baptistery in Italy, and it combines two styles of architecture (Romanesque at the bottom, Gothic at the top). It’s also famous for its acoustics; once every 30 minutes, a guardian will intonate a few notes to showcase the baptistry’s famous resonance.
11:15 AM: Campo Santo
The Campo Santo (the old cemetery) is the last monument to have been built in the Piazza dei Miracoli and is made up of three chapels surrounding a central lawn.
In one of the chapels, you can find relics that supposedly include a piece of the True Cross and a fragment of Jesus’s crown of thorns!
11:30 AM: Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Climbing the tower is a little bit of work, but it’s worth it for the incredible views of the city, the Tuscan countryside, and, most importantly, the rest of the Piazza dei Miracoli, including rooftop views of the cathedral’s famous architecture.
You’ll also get to see the bells at the top of the tower, and if you get there at noon, you can even hear them ring! (Careful though, as they are very loud!)
The steps inside the tower are quite narrow, and it gets busy during the day, so book your entry time to guarantee entrance and visit at a time that will allow you to catch the bells ringing.
Insider Tip: Taking the classic tourist picture of the Leaning Tower is HARD. There are so many crowds and people taking the same picture, so if you want a photo with just you, you need to get here early.
It’s free to walk into the Piazza, and I recommend coming here early in the morning (yes, before 8 AM!) or late in the evening, just to take a picture. If you stay at our recommended hotel, Prato dei Miracoli, you can walk over in just a couple of minutes for the photo.
You can also go to the Museo dell’Opera cafe for a quick drink, where you’ll get unobstructed views from a unique angel!
Afternoon – Old Town And River
12:30 PM – Walk Around the Old Town
After climbing the tower, walk south through the old town towards the Arno River. The town is full of winding cobbled streets and old rustic Italian buildings, as well as small boutiques and squares, all perfect for photos.
1:00 PM – Check Out the Piazza delle Vettovaglie
In the heart of the old town, this small square has a market every day (except Sunday) with fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and meats from Italy. If you try one thing, make sure it’s fresh tomatoes—tomatoes from Italy are the best in the world and have so much flavor!
1:30 PM – Get Lunch at an Osteria
After all that walking, it’s time to refuel with a quick lunch at an Osteria! There are plenty to choose from in Pisa, but both Osteria del Tumi, and Osteria dei Cavalieri are highly rated by locals, have some of the best pasta in Pisa, and they serve typical Tuscan dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina, and fagioli.
To get an even deeper sense of Tuscan food, book this food tour and be guided through all the best places to eat in Pisa, trying famous dishes and learning the history behind them!
2:15 PM – Walk Across the Ponte di Mezzo
Just below the old town, this bridge joins the two sides of Pisa, and it’s the perfect place to get some pictures of the river and the surrounding banks.
2:30 PM – Stroll Along the Lungarni
In Pisa, the walkways along the Arno River are called Lungarni. Although the river is quite small (in comparison to somewhere like Florence), it’s still very beautiful, lined with typical Pisan architecture, and makes for great photos.
For this itinerary, we recommend walking left along the south bank of the river, so that you end up next to our next destination.
3:00 PM – Church of Santa Maria Della Spina
After a short walk along the river, you’ll arrive at the Santa Maria della Spina. This church got its name because it houses what is said to be one of the thorns from Jesus’ crown! It’s also famous for being a classic example of Gothic architecture in Italy.
Photo Tip: If you want to take some really beautiful pictures of the river with this church included, you can walk a couple of minutes along the Lugarno onto the Ponte Solferino.
3:20 PM – Palazzo Blu
Walk back the way you came along the river, and you’ll come across a blue building—this is the famous Palazzo Blu. It’s now an art gallery housing famous works from Italian artists like Orazio Riminaldi, but it was once the home of aristocrats and was supposedly painted blue in honor of guests staying there from St. Petersburg.
4:15 PM – Stop for Real Italian Gelato
Getting gelato, obviously, is one of the top things to do in Pisa, and a short walk right of Pallazo Blu is my favorite gelateria in Pisa, Tuffo 13 Gelateria – not only because it makes real, authentic gelato (you can tell because the gelato is kept in metal tins!), but they also offer dairy-free options, including a delicious chocolate vegan gelato!
4:30 PM – Piazza dei Cavalieri
Walk up through the old town to Piazza dei Cavalieri, which, in medieval times, was the main square of Pisa. And, don’t miss the large building with twin staircases (the Palazzo della Carovana) which is decorated with a specific type of art called sgraffito (and makes for some amazing photos!).
4:45 PM – Botanical Gardens
Just 5 minutes away from the square, you’ll find the botanical gardens. Although these are small, they are the oldest university botanical garden in the world and provide a welcome moment of peace after a day of wandering around the city!
5:30 PM – Stop for an Aperitif on Borgo Stretto
One of Pisa’s main streets, Borgo Stretto, is lined with arches and terraces, making it the perfect place to stop for a late afternoon drink! Tuscany is famous for its vineyards, so stop for a glass of local wine at Duende or Bacco in Piazzetta, or try an Aperol spritz at Bocconcino.
Evening – Soak Up The Atmosphere
6:30 PM – Dinner in the Old Town
One of the things I loved about Pisa was how vibrant the old town was at night—with so many people out on restaurant terraces, drinking and laughing! Relax, and enjoy the atmosphere by trying some local food at Trattoria da Stelio, or stop at Pizzeria Quarto D’ora Italiano for the best pizza in Pisa!
7:30 PM – Sunset at the Leaning Tower
Head back to the Leaning Tower for sunset photos. After dark, spotlights illuminate the tower and the Square of Miracles, accentuating the architecture and the arches, giving a new perspective and a unique photo opportunity.
8:00 PM – Evening Walk by the Arno River
End your night with a walk along the north bank of the river, where the lights reflecting in the Arno make the city look magical. Pisa really comes alive in the evening, with crowds of people hanging out at the bars or gelaterias along the river, so soak up the atmosphere and stop for a drink or dessert if you want to feel like a local!
Where to Stay in Pisa
There’re a lot of choices for accommodation in Pisa, but for the best experience, stay near the center, either in the old city or near the Piazza dei Miracoli. Pisa is a very walkable city, so a hotel in the center will make it easy for you to fit everything in and will also keep you soaked in the atmosphere as people enjoy coffee or wine in the streets.
(Also, the closer you are to the Leaning Tower, the better your chances of getting a quick early morning photo before the crowds appear!)
Prato dei Miracoli | LEANING TOWER VIEWS
This hotel is located right next to the Piazza Dei Miracoli, and it has incredible views of the complex, including many rooms with direct views of the Leaning Tower!
Palazzo Feroci | HERITAGE & MODERN COMFORT
This hotel is nestled right in the heart of the old town, next to the Piazza dei Cavalieri. The rooms are beautiful and combine modern amenities with classic Italian decor (some dating back to the last restoration in the 18th century!)
Blom Apartments | HOME AWAY FROM HOME
If you want more of a home away from home feel, the Blom apartments are beautifully decorated with gold accents and Italian doors, equipped with kitchens, and located in the center of the old town.
Getting to Pisa
By Air
Pisa has an airport that is very easy to get to and from. It’s connected to the town’s main train station (Pisa Centrale) by a high-speed shuttle called Pisa Mover, and it only takes about 5 minutes!
By Train
Pisa’s central station is only a 10-minute walk to the start of the old town, and you can catch direct trains here from many other Italian cities, including Rome, Milan, and Florence. I took the train from Pisa to Florence, and it took just over an hour!
By Bus
You can get to Pisa by bus from other Italian cities for very affordable rates using companies like FlixBus. However – be warned that the buses don’t drop you off in the center of town, but instead at a parking lot a little north of the center, so you may need to get a taxi to your hotel if you are traveling with luggage!
By Car
You can drive to Pisa, and the drive from Florence is roughly an hour. However, there is no driving in the center of the city, so you’ll need to park outside the old town and walk when you are visiting the main attractions.
Getting Around Pisa
By Foot
Walking is the best way to see Pisa. You can walk to all the places we mention in this itinerary in less than an hour, with most attractions less than a 20-minute walk from each other.
By Bicycle
You can rent bicycles to see some of Pisa, although I would recommend this only for cycling along the river. The main streets in the old town are quite narrow and winding, and as it can get crowded during the day, a bike might become more trouble than it’s worth!
Best Time to Visit Pisa
There’s no bad time to visit Italy, but spring and autumn are especially good times to plan a trip to Pisa.
Winter is quieter but can be a little cold in Tuscany, whereas the summers can be absolutely scorching, which makes it less fun to walk around the city during the day. (For example, I went in September, and it was still 90°F (32°C) during the day!)
Spring and autumn also tend to be less crowded than the summer, which can get very busy and make it harder to get good photos or entry into popular places like the tower.
Is Pisa Worth Visiting?
Even without considering the famous Leaning Tower and the chance to take one of the most iconic photos in the world, Pisa is worth the visit. It might be a little smaller and sleepier than Venice or Rome, but that adds to its charm and makes it easier to see all the sites in one day.
It’s also very easy to access from other Italian cities, and being just an hour away by car or train, you can easily plan a day trip from Florence to Pisa.
About the author: Eloise Juliette
Eloise Juliette is a travel writer specializing in luxury, adventure, and solo female travel. Having spent over 7 years traveling across 6 continents, her goal is to visit all the world’s wonders and to see as many countries as possible. Italy holds a special place in her heart; she has traveled there many times and is currently learning Italian in anticipation of her next adventure.
Are You Planning a Trip to Tuscany?
Pisa is just one of the beautiful towns in Tuscany. This region is magical part of Italy overflowing with art, culture, beauty, and good wine. It is the perfect place for a road trip and some indulgence.
Before you head off, make sure to check out our Tuscany travel guides!