Travel to Pisa

Travel to Pisa

More than 3000 years ago the ancient city of Pisa, which is still surrounded by 12th century walls, was once a seaside town. Nowadays, historical monuments and buildings, in Baroque and Renaissance design, fill Pisa and remind us of its past making it an extraordinary tourist destination. Pisa is so rich in culture and history and offers plenty to see and do.

Transportation to Pisa

Pisa is easily reached from places in Italy and from abroad as there are many options for transportation to choose from. There is a good road system that links major Italian cities with Pisa. From Lucca take the SS12 or the SS12r, from Rome take the A12 highway and then connect to the E80 expressway, from Florence the best route would be to drive along the A22 Firenze-Mare highway or the Firenze-Pisa-Livorno expressway. Using the tunnels under the Alps and Apennines you can drive to Italy from Austria, Slovenia, France and Switzerland. From Italy drivers can use the highways and expressways to arrive at Pisa.

There are also train services that connect Florence to Europe. Once you arrive at Florence, passengers may have to change trains to get to Pisa. Pisa is also on the Rome- Genoa line making it very accessible. More than 20 trains depart Rome daily,; about 35 trains depart from Florence daily and about four trains depart hourly from Livorno to Pisa. Eurolines and National Express have regular bus services to Italy from the United Kingdom. Travelling by plane is probably the most convenient way to get to Pisa. The Galileo Galilei International Airport is a busy airport and handles both domestic and international flights. The airport is very close to the city and connections can by made by bus, taxi or train. Airlines arriving at Pisas airport include Air France, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, British Airway, Iberia Regional Alitalia, Carpatair, Ryanair, AirDoloiti and many more.

What to see

Many travellers flock to the Leaning Tower of Pisa as their first sightseeing destination. The Tower of Pisa took about 200 years to construct. The movement of the soil underneath the tower has caused the tower to tilt. In fact, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is not the only building to be leaning as the Baptistery, near the Duomo Cathedral, is also leaning. There are also a few other bell towers in this area that have shifted and are leaning. The locals call these the Other Leaning Towers of Pisa. The Duomo Cathedral, the largest Romanesque church in Tuscany, is worth a visit to appreciate its fine Romanesque architecture and the Italian Gothic sculptures. The Camposanto, the monumental cemetery in Paris, is located to the north of the Duomo. The soil used in the cemetery was brought back from the mount where Christ was crucified. The Camposanto was built in 1278. If you are tired from walking and exploring the ancient buildings, make a stop at the oldest Botanical Gardens in Pisa,founded in 1540. Other places of interest are the Piazza dei Cavalieri, the 13th century chapel Santa Maria della Spina and the Santo Seplorco that was built for the Templar Knights in the 12th century.

Day trips

The surrounding area has much to offer, including more fabulous architecture such as that of the magnificent Romanesque churches in the town of Lucca. Alternatively, travellers can laze under the Tuscan sun on the beaches of the Maremma region, or sail out to the gorgeous islands of Elba, Giglio and Capraia.

Less than an hours drive from Pisa is the stunning Renaissance city of Florence. Famous sights here include: the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, Giottos Tower, and the Baptistery, with its magnificent bronze doors. The Accademia Gallery is home to Michelangelo's statue, David.

Activities and leisure

Pisa offers many outdoor activities including golf, parachuting and horse riding. There are several walking tours that can be arranged around the city as well as the neighbouring areas. Hiking is another activity that is available and there are several routes to choose from.

The streets of Pisa are a shoppers delight as there is such a wide variety of Italian items to choose from including jewellery, leather products, clothes, food, wine and souvenirs. Borgo Stretto has many stylish shops but there are also markets to buy cheaper priced merchandise. Via Buonarroti, Via San Martino and Marin de Pisa Market are some of the more popular markets in Pisa. Pisa is a wonderful place to enjoy Tuscan hospitality and the best way to do this is to visit its many restaurants and cafes. Tuscany is noted for its truffle and chocolate and pastry lovers will not want to miss stopping at Borgo Stretto 46. Other places to wine and dine include Numero Undici, Osteria La Grotta and Cagliostro.

Safety issues

In general Pisa is a safe city to visit. However, like many other main cities, bag snatching and pickpocketing do occur. Travellers should always be careful of their belongings and be alert to possible dangers. Having travel insurance will provide peace of mind and is certainly recommended when travelling to a foreign country.