What to do in Pisa in January. Open left piz menu. National Museum of San Matteo
Many people think that the only attraction of Italian Pisa is the “leaning tower”. But in fact, there are much more attractions here - and not only architectural ones. Feel the pulse of the city's vibrant student life, try delicious Chianti and be sure to visit the “Chocolate Valley” - after all, Pisa is considered the Italian capital of homemade chocolate!
How to get to Pisa
If you do not have a valid Schengen visa, you will need to obtain one; the cost is standard - 35 euros, and the Italians are quite loyal in issuing them.
Surprisingly, despite its compact size, the city has its own airport, and you can get here from Moscow without transfers - Moscow - Pisa flights are offered by S7 and Pobeda.
From St. Petersburg you can get there with a transfer in Rome or Berlin, or you can fly with Aeroflot to Florence, which is just an hour’s drive from the “city with the leaning tower.” Many tourists choose this option.
How to get from Pisa airport to the city center
It's very simple: take the bus, which leaves every ten minutes and costs 1.3 euros (2 euros if you buy a ticket from the driver and not from the machine at the stop). From Florence you can get to the center of Pisa by train - from the Firenze S.M. station. Novella, from where the train leaves every 15 minutes.
Well, the most original way to get from Pisa airport to the center is to walk: it will take no more than half an hour.
It is important to remember: Pisa airport does not operate around the clock, but according to a certain schedule - this is typical for small European cities, and, for example, you will not be able to spend the night here.
Where to stay in Pisa
The city cannot be called budget in terms of accommodation, so feel free to settle in the center so as not to miss anything - by choosing a hotel on the outskirts, you will not save that much.
The most immodest prices await those who want to stay right next to the famous tower - on average 100-130 euros per Double Room. For the rest, prepare to pay from 40 to 150 euros per day if you don’t expect anything extraordinary from the hotel, and up to 250 euros if you are only interested in four- and five-star hotels in Pisa with a full package of services.
But in city hostels you can find quite a cozy overnight stay for a price starting from 14 euros per day - rest assured, the room will have everything you need, and the Wi-Fi signal will be excellent.
Transport in Pisa
Without a doubt, it is very pleasant to get around the city on foot or on a rented bicycle. But also bus routes there is enough here - tourists will be most interested in bus number 10, which runs from the central station to the sea. A ticket can be purchased for 1 euro from a machine at the stop (or for 1.5 euros if you buy from the driver). It must be validated, and after that you can use it for an hour - including to transfer to another bus.
Do you want to order a taxi in Pisa? Great news: Uber is available here, and rides are reasonably priced due to the city's compact size. On average - 7-10 euros per trip.
The main attractions of Pisa
It’s quite possible to start your tour from the famous tower, but here, on Square of Miracles in Pisa, other remarkable buildings await you.
You should definitely visit the Cathedral Duomo to admire the Byzantine-style interior and marvel at how the cathedral’s bell tower (that same tower) could outshine this magnificent structure.
Another dominant feature of the square is made entirely of marble Baptistery of San Giovanni, which amazes the imagination with its monumentality and whimsical decor. The height of the building is almost 55 meters, and at the same time it looks surprisingly light and elegant. And, by the way, it also “falls” - just not as noticeably as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
You can go to Square of Cavalry, Garibaldi and September 20 to take photos in front of the Clock Palace or visit the cinema under open air in an amusement park that was once a real military fortress.
University Botanical Garden - by the way, the first of its kind in Europe - also deserves attention: there is a unique collection of plants brought from exotic countries. But if you are traveling with children, then it is more advisable to devote time to tasting in " Chocolate Valley" Local chocolatiers experiment so skillfully with a variety of flavors, additives and recipes that it is simply impossible to leave without trying all the varieties.
What to try in Pisa?
First you need to remember what to look for best restaurants Pisa should be further away from the Leaning Tower of Pisa - here all the same dishes will cost much less.
Try the local bachelato cheese, caciucco fish soup, crispy bruschetta with truffles of various colors and picci pasta - it is hand-rolled and looks like very plump spaghetti. For dessert - a signature Pisa cake with pine nuts - “Koi biscerry cake” and Riciarelli almond cookies, which literally melt in your mouth. And, of course, ice cream, which claims to be the “Most Tasty Ice Cream in the World” - and local gelaterias are seeking to have it included in the Guinness Book of Records on this basis.
And don’t forget to order a glass (or even more than one) of cool Chianti for lunch: the Chianti wine region starts right from Pisa, so this area can rightfully be considered the birthplace of the drink.
Festivals and events in Pisa
Lucca Summer Festival- almost two months summer music Festival. A series of concerts in the historical center of Lucca (20 minutes by train from Pisa) includes performances by world-famous rock and pop stars.
Feasts in honor of Saint Ranieri- a series of holidays in June in honor of the patron saint of the city, Saint Ranieri. The celebration called “Luminara di San Ranieri” is especially beautiful, when the entire embankment of the Arno River, its bridges and buildings around are decorated with lighting, and thousands of lanterns are launched along the river itself.
How to spend in Pisa
The currency in Italy is the euro. Large establishments, hotels and shops accept bank cards, and there are many ATMs in the city to withdraw cash, so there will be no difficulties with paying in cash or cards.
What to bring from Pisa as a gift
If you love branded items, shopping and want to do some serious shopping, go to the streets of Borgo and Corsa Italia. Here is the main concentration of boutiques of world famous brands. Which often have nice sales.
When you get to Florence, it’s hard to find better leather goods than there in Italy. This is a great and lasting gift.
For gastronomic delights at home, the set of purchases is almost typically Italian: cheeses, olive oil, coffee beans (in Italy it is excellent). If you have luggage and it is not packed, it is worth buying pasta, and with it - dried tomatoes in vacuum packaging; You'll have a delicious dinner at home. As a dessert purchase, a jar of Sicilian honey is suitable (you just need to look for it a little).
You can pour brought red wine into glasses at home, and if you want something alcoholic, but sweeter, then in Pisa you will find a huge assortment of limoncella in bottles of various sizes.
There are also a lot of souvenirs and trinkets. Of course, the leaning tower comes in a hundred variations.
It is assumed that the city was founded by the Greeks, then it became Etruscan, and from 193 BC. came under Roman rule. Thanks to the significant port of Pisa in the 11th century. in competition with Genoa and Venice, it became one of the first maritime and trading powers in the Mediterranean. Successful wars against the Saracens and participation in the Crusades brought the maritime republic wealth and vast possessions throughout the Mediterranean. Trade and crafts flourished, and citizens ruled the republic under the protection of the emperor. From construction cathedral in 1063 a new era in Tuscan art begins. In 1220, Nicolo Pisano, the great innovator of Renaissance art, was appointed chief sculptor; and his son Giovanni and student Arnolfo di Cambio combined in their work the features of Pisan and Florentine art. The decline of the Staufen era entailed the fall of the city, which supported the Ghibellines. And in 1284, the Pisan fleet suffered a crushing defeat from Genoa near the island of Meloria, and the port of Pisa was blocked by the enemy. The city lost all its possessions and trade connections; internal strife led to the fact that in 1406 Florence took possession of Pisa. And the economic recession caused many wealthy families to leave the city: the number of residents decreased to 3 thousand.
When at the end of the 17th century. Livorno became the main port of Tuscany, Pisa finally lost its importance. Due to river sediments deposited over centuries, the coastline has shifted, and today Pisa is 10 km from the sea.
What to see
Square of Miracles in Pisa
Campo dei Mnracoli, or “Field of Miracles”, is rightly called Cathedral Square, which is surrounded on both sides by the expanded in the 11th century. city wall. Since 1987, the area has been included in the list of world cultural heritage UNESCO. The Cathedral, the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery and the Camposanto, the monumental cemetery, are all built of shining white marble and form an ensemble of incomparable beauty and completeness.
Cathedral
Cathedral, built in 1063-1118. after the victory over the Saracens at sea at Palermo and restored after a fire in 1597-1604, it was the first sacral structure in Italy in which a Romanesque basilica was connected to a transverse nave and a dome over a cross in the shape of an ellipse. Buschetto's project combined early Christian, Byzantine, Lombard, Arabic and ancient architectural elements. The façade, completed in 1200, with four tiers of loggias with columns and arches is particularly striking. The bronze doors of the main entrance were created in 1595 in the workshop of Giambologna, the doors of St. Ranieri of the southern transverse nave - Bonanno Pisano. The reliefs on the doors depict scenes from the life of Christ. The interior of the cathedral is divided by five naves, their columns are a bit reminiscent of a mosque; antique columns - a military trophy of Pisa - run along the sides of the longitudinal nave. Above the middle nave is a coffered ceiling in the Renaissance style, shining with abundant gilding. The free-standing pulpit is the creation of Giovanni Pisano. It was restored in 1926, not entirely authentically, but still remains one of the significant monuments of Gothic sculpture. On the reliefs, superbly executed dynamic figurative compositions represent scenes from the New Testament and the Last Judgment. The female figures in the lower supporting part of the pulpit are interpreted as symbols of Faith, Love and Hope. The apse of the cathedral is decorated with a mosaic of the 13th-14th centuries; Cimabue also took part in the work on it: the head of St. John the Evangelist is his work. The right transverse nave is closed by the magnificent tomb chapel of St. Rainer, the patron saint of the city.
The Baptistery was built in 1152-1278. designed by Diotisalvi and Giovanni Pisano. A Gothic-style vestibule (drum), covered with a conical dome, was added around 1360. In the early lower floors of the baptistery one can find architectural echoes of the cathedral. The spacious and high interior with stunning acoustics features a marble font by Guido Bigarelli from Como, as well as a free-standing pulpit, a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture created in 1260 by Nicolo Pisano. His innovative sculptural compositions later became a model for similar works in Pisa.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
To the east of the cathedral rises the famous Leaning Tower, built in 1173-1350. and today attributed to Gherardo before Gherardo. Its architectural design, like the façade of the cathedral, uses tiered galleries with columns. Due to the pliable, loose soil, the tower began to lean even during construction, so that work was suspended in 1185, and when it was resumed in 1275, the axis of the tower had already moved away from the vertical. The deviation today is approximately 5° 30" to the southeast; on the north side the height of the tower is 56.6 m, and on the south - 54.25 m. The tower was closed to the public for a long time. However, recent work to strengthen it has been successful After the tower was first stabilized with a counterweight and a safety belt, over 7 cubic meters of earth were removed on the north side. Little by little, the tower tilted back to the north. At the end of 2001, it straightened out by 43 cm, its current slope corresponds. slope in the middle of the 18th century. Now you can climb the Leaning Tower again.
Camposanto Cemetery
Tradition says that Archbishop Ubaldo Lanfranchi brought from the Crusade (1203) many ships loaded with earth from Calvary so that the citizens of Pisa could be buried in the Holy Land. The monumental cemetery of Camposanto in the northern part of the Cathedral Square began to be founded in 1277 under Giovanni di Simone in the form of a cross gallery in the Tuscan Gothic style. Its length was 126 m, width - 52 m. But the work was completed only in 1463. The white marble circular halls towards the green courtyard open with high windows with tracery ornaments. Tombstones are built into the floor, and on the sides are “reused” antique sarcophagi and Etruscan tombstones. Some Etruscan, Roman and medieval sculptures, installed at the beginning of the 19th century, have high artistic merit. In the XIV-XV centuries. the walls of Camposanto were painted with frescoes by famous artists such as Benozzo Gozzoli and Taddeo Gaddi. During Allied shelling on July 27, 1944, molten lead pouring from the roof destroyed most frescoes; they were later removed, restored and are now exhibited in the northern wing of the building.
Sinopia Museum
Sinopia - the term refers to red-brown chalk; sinopia was applied to fresh plaster before frescoes were created. During restoration, sinopia is usually found with iodine in the top layer of paint. In the museum on the south side of Cathedral Square, the sinopias discovered during the restoration can be clearly seen. In the former home of the cathedral canons on the eastern edge of Cathedral Square, the Cathedral Museum displays magnificent works art collected from various buildings in the Cathedral complex. The treasury of the cathedral is especially valuable.
Other attractions of Pisa
Having fully enjoyed the wonders, you should escape the crowds and wander through the peaceful streets of the old city, admiring the medieval palaces and university buildings. Admire graceful bridges and beautiful churches, including the Gothic masterpiece Santa Maria della Spina on the banks of the Arno, and the octagonal Santa Agata Chapel.
Parking
Pisa has many one-way streets and few parking areas. The easiest way is to park in the area near the cathedral.
Combined tickets
Combination tickets can be purchased to visit the cathedral, the baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery and the cathedral museum (Museo dell"Opera dell"Duomo).
Holidays
Regatta St. Rapieri (St. Rainer, Regatta di San Ranieri) The rowing regatta, in which four districts of the city compete, takes place on June 17.
Purchases
Pleasant discoveries are prepared by the antiques fair, which takes place every second weekend of the month at Piazza XX Settembre. Elegant shops open under the arcades of Borgo Stretto.
When to come
“Field of Miracles” is crowded with people during the summer holidays. It is better to go here in June or September.
Should know
If you want to climb the 294 steps to the recently fortified leaning tower, you will have to buy a ticket and wait in line for about two hours.
Neighborhoods of Pisa
San Piero a Grado
As the legend goes, during a trip to Rome in 44 AD. The Apostle Peter descended to earth in a place later named after him - San Piero a Grado - at that time located on the coast 5 km southwest of Pisa. Here he founded the Ecclesia ad gradus (church on the steps). The three-nave basilica - fragments of a previous ancient structure were found under it - dates back to the 11th century. When in the 12th century. the western façade collapsed and was replaced by an apse. The frescoes were painted by Deodato Orlande around 1300; below are portraits of popes, in the center are scenes from the life of the Apostle Peter, and above is Heavenly Jerusalem.
Coast
The coast between Viareggio and Livorno occupies natural Park- This is a wetland with dense bushes. Rare species of animals are found here. Sandy beaches extend from Marina di Pisa to the south.
Calci
Calci (13 km east of Pisa) is worth a visit because of the church of Santi Giovanni e Ermolao, built in the 12th-13th centuries. in the Pisan Gothic style. And on the eastern outskirts of the town, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Certosa di Pisa - the Carthusian monastery; its most beautiful baroque part dates back to the 17th-18th centuries. Both cloisters (XV and XVI centuries) and the Baroque church with a domed fresco by S. Kassiani deserve special attention. In the northern part of the monastery complex there is a museum of natural history and local history of the University of Pisa (exhibitions on zoology, mineralogy, geology, paleontology).
Inquiries
Piazza Arcivescovado 8 56125 Pisa;
Tel.: 0 50 56 04 64;
Fax: 0 50 92 97 64;
www.pisaturismo.it
How to get to Pisa
Pisa is considered one of the most famous cities not only in Tuscany, but throughout Italy, and all thanks to the tower of the same name, whose architectural slope has delighted more than one generation of tourists. Meanwhile, in Pisa there are quite a lot of other historical monuments, and another 15 km from the city center is its beach part, called Marina di Pisa. Thanks to this, Pisa can be considered an all-season resort, suitable for excursion holiday, and for the beach.
The good news for tourists from Russia is that there are direct flights to Pisa from Moscow, and the Russian low-cost carrier Pobeda carries out transportation, so a holiday in Pisa can become very budget-friendly. Also, flights along the route are also operated by S7, so you can fly to Pisa non-stop from Moscow almost every day. The flight time will be only 3.5 hours. From other Russian cities, a transfer is required at one of the Moscow airports (Vnukovo, if you fly Pobeda, and Domodedovo, if you fly S7). You can check the flight schedule on the search service. Aviasales.
Pisa has its own international Airport arrival named after Galileo Galilei. The airport is located 5 km from the center of Pisa and can be reached by train or taxi. The so-called Pisa Mover trains run from the arrival terminal to the railway station in Pisa, which operate fully automatically. Electric trains operate on schedule from 6 am to midnight every day, every 10 minutes. The one-way fare starts from 2.7 euros, round trip from 5.4 euros.
Dimitris Kamaras/Pisa, view from above
If you arrive in Pisa at night, when trains are not operating, you can use the transfer service. Order private transfer can be done in advance on various specialized services, for example, on or . Travel time will be about 10 minutes.
If you plan to travel a lot not only around Pisa itself, but also to travel around the area and visit neighboring cities, then it makes sense to rent a car. A car is also useful for going to local beaches. – the option is very popular and is in demand among tourists virtually all year round. You can rent a car directly at the arrival terminal or at one of the city offices.
To register a car rental, it is enough to have your passport, license and bank card to pay for services. Below is a grid of distances and highway numbers between Pisa and the most popular destinations from Pisa:
| Where | Where | Distance | Route |
| Pisa | Marina di Pisa | 15 km | Route No. SP224 |
| Pisa | Viareggio | 24 km | |
| Pisa | Forte dei Marmi | 38 km | Route No. A12/E80 |
| Pisa | Lido di Camaiore | 27 km | Strada Statale 1 Via Aurelia |
| Pisa | Montecatini Terme | 47 km | Route No. A11/E76 |
| Pisa | Lucca | 18 km | Routes No. SS12 and SS12 radd |
| Pisa | Arezzo | 160 km | Route SGC Firenze - Pisa - Livorno and A1/E35 |
| Pisa | Florence | 87 km | Route SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno |
| Pisa | Rome | 357 km | Route No. A1/E35 |
Hotels in Pisa
Pisa is a tourist city, so the hotel infrastructure here is very, very developed. Accommodation options such as bed and breakfast hotels are particularly popular in Pisa, due to the fact that most often tourists stay in Pisa for a few nights and then move on to other cities or beach resorts. However, there are in Pisa and a good choice standard hotels in the category from 1 to 5 stars. There is also a certain demand for apartments, guest houses, hostels. Please note, to have access to the beaches of the coast, it is better to stay in the coastal area of Marina di Pisa, otherwise you will have to travel 15 km daily from historical center city to the beach area.
When choosing a hotel in Pisa, you should pay attention to the area where it is located. If you want to stay close to the main attractions of the city, you should choose hotels in the center. The pricing policy of hotels in Pisa is very moderate, even when located in the historical center. For example, popular hotels in Pisa are: Hotel Di Stefano 3*, Hotel Bologna 4* or Hotel Rome 3*. They provide wireless Internet, parking and breakfast included in the price. The central location is also an advantage. Among B&B hotels (bed and breakfast), the following options are in demand: Five Roses Bed and Breakfast, B&B Di Camilla, B&B Contessa. They are also located in the very center of Pisa. B&B hotels are perfect for a short stay in the city.
If you are flying to Pisa specifically to relax by the sea, then it makes sense to look for hotel offers at the resorts of the Tuscan Riviera; one of the closest is Marina di Pisa, located just 15 km from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Marina di Pisa is a small and intimate town, although even here summer time you can find a whole scattering of open-air beach cafes. You can stay in Marina di Pisa in hotels or apartments. For example, hotels are popular Di Boccadarno 3*, B&B La Papaya, Il Pescatore. In the neighborhood of Marina di Pisa there are also more famous and major resorts, such as Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio, there are much more accommodation places here, and the infrastructure is considered more developed.
You can check prices for all possible accommodation options in Pisa on specialized search engine sites Booking, Hotellook and others that allow you to compare all existing offers for the required dates.
Allie_Caulfield/On the streets of Pisa Sights of Pisa
The sights of Pisa are all historical. The old city center is literally replete with architectural monuments, and the central composition is the Cathedral, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Baptistery. In addition, in the city you can also see many ancient churches, made in different styles and belonging to different eras. The local palazzos are not as elegant as those in, say, neighboring Genoa, but they also have historical and architectural value. In general, to see the sights of Pisa, it is enough to have 1-2 days left, because... The city, despite its size, has a relatively small historical center.
Pablo Cabezos/Baptistery of Pisa Cathedral, Leaning Tower of Pisa and Pisa Baptistery
These three main attractions of Pisa are located on the so-called Cathedral Square, which makes their inspection very convenient, because they are all concentrated in one place. All three compositions are made of gray stone and white marble; it is difficult to define a single style, but it is a mixture of Romanesque and Byzantine heritage. And this is not surprising, since the age of the cathedral, for example, is more than 10 centuries. The interiors of the cathedral are no less significant than its facades, so it’s definitely worth going inside.
Concerning Leaning Tower of Pisa, then here are a few facts about it: the height of the tower is 57 meters, and its tilt is almost 4% of the angle of inclination, its construction began in the 12th century, and the tower does not fall because its center of gravity is located at the foundation at the base, but not at the top, as is customary in many other architectural structures.
Pisa Baptistery- this semicircular structure, located next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral, is often found in photographs and postcards, but for some reason is rarely mentioned, unlike its “neighbor” - the tower. Construction of the Baptistery of San Giovanni also began in the 12th century, and its height is almost equal to the height of the tower and is 55 meters. The architectural style of the baptistery is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles, while the external facades look quite impressive, while the interior decoration is quite modest.
Greg_Men/Cathedral Square in Pisa In this article we will try to highlight all available modes of transport from the airport to the nearest cities.
Due to the fact that numerous low-cost airlines fly to Pisa airport: Easy Jet, Rianair, WizzAir and even the Russian Pobeda, it can become the most budget-friendly Starting point for traveling around Tuscany and northern Italy.
From airport aircraft fly to many cities in Italy and big cities Europe. You can even get from Moscow to Pisa without transfers. On Mondays and Thursdays, low-cost carrier Pobeda flies from Vnukovo Airport; on Wednesdays and Saturdays, S7 flies from Domodedovo Airport to Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport. You can find tickets for suitable dates in the form below.
Airport infrastructure
Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, named after a famous native of the city, is not the largest. It has only 1 terminal, closed at night. Flights depart from 4 am. Therefore, those who have an overnight transfer or an early flight to Pisa should take care in advance to find accommodation nearby. You can choose a suitable accommodation option using the link below.
The airport building itself has everything you need for a comfortable wait for a flight: cafes, restaurants, a currency exchange office, a pharmacy, luggage storage, a help desk, shops, etc., however, it is worth remembering that they are all closed at night.
Despite the high passenger traffic, Pisa Airport is not that big
How to get from Galileo Galilei Airport to Pisa
To Siena Autostrade buses run from the airport. Ending station– Piazza Gramsci. Buses run every 30 minutes. from 10 am to 9 pm. The journey will take 2.5 hours. Schedule and ticket prices here: http://orari.autostradale.it.
Get to Lucca and Viareggio from Pisa Galileo Galilei airport, buses from the local company Autolinee CTT Nord will help. Travel time to Lucca is 1 hour, to Viareggio – 1.5 hours. Find out details current schedule and ticket prices can be found on the official website.
By taxi
You can get to Pisa, as well as to other cities in Tuscany, from Galileo Galilei airport by taxi. Finding taxi drivers at the airport will not be difficult, but if you are traveling with large luggage or small children, it is better to book a transfer in advance. The online service KiwiTaxi will help you do this.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by a driver holding a sign with your name on it. You don't have to look for a car and wait for anyone. The driver will take you to the address specified in the booking.
By car
Those who are accustomed to freedom of movement will certainly appreciate the opportunity to rent a car at Pisa airport to easily move not only in the city, but throughout the entire Tuscan region.
At Pisa Airport, car rental services are provided by 10 leading European rental companies, such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Goldcar, etc. You need to look for them 500 m from the airport terminal. They don't work 24 hours a day. From October to March - from 8:00 to 21:30, from April to September - from 7:00 to 22:30.
In order not to waste time looking for a car at the airport, you can use the online car booking service on the RentalCars website. The system itself will analyze the offers of all companies available at the airport and offer the best price options. You can also pre-order additional options, such as a child seat.
Photos by: DV, rometoolkit.com, Sailko, AndrPr, Reinhard Kraasch, pisa-airport.com
Pisa is famous all over the world for its Leaning Tower. This is not just a local attraction, but one of the most recognizable symbols of tourist Italy. Therefore, it is not surprising that crowds of tourists come to Pisa almost every day (mainly as part of excursion bus tours). In most cases, visiting visitors are limited to examining the architectural ensemble of the local cathedral, of which, in fact, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a part. After spending several hours on the Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo, also known as the Square of Miracles, Piazza dei Miracoli) and in its immediate surroundings, tourists usually leave the city. However, in Pisa you can find others interesting places. If you wish, you can even stay here for a few days to see Pisa at times when there are almost no tourists in the city. The same Cathedral Square produces a completely different impression in the evening surroundings. In addition, Pisa is convenient to use as a transit point on the way to Florence, the beach resorts of Versilia, as well as the well-known Cinque Terre region.
How to get to Pisa
Firstly, it is worth saying that Pisa has its own international airport, where many fly European airlines, as well as the Russian companies Pobeda and S7 Airlines. Thus, it is easy to get to Pisa by air (for air tickets see www.skyscanner.ru, www.momondo.ru, www.aviasales.ru, etc.).
Secondly, in Pisa there is the Pisa Centrale train station, as well as the Pisa S.Rossore train station (from here it is especially convenient to get to the Square of Miracles and its attractions - 10-15 minutes on foot). Pisa has direct train connections to nearby Florence, as well as to Genoa, Milan, Rome and other Italian cities (see www.trenitalia.com).
Where to stay in Pisa
In short, a lot will depend on why you want to stay in Pisa.
If you want to see the main attractions of Pisa and are planning to travel further in one direction or another, then it is quite logical to focus on the area around the railway stations. The adjacent neighborhoods are not very picturesque, but they are conveniently located. In the Pisa Centrale area you can pay attention, for example, to the hotel NH Pisa, and near Pisa S. Rossore - to Rosso di Sera Tuscany. Both options are suitable not only for those who travel by rail, but also for car travelers: NH Pisa has its own parking (albeit for a fee), and there is public parking next to Rosso di Sera Tuscany.
It is believed that there is no need to stay in Pisa for a long time. However, if you want to devote a little more time to Pisa and expect to spend at least two or three days here, then it is worth taking a closer look at hotels (as well as apartments) located in the center of the Old Town, and not on its outskirts, which are the areas indicated above. An interesting option, for example, is the small bed & breakfast Cuore di Pisa, located, as the name clearly indicates, in the very heart of Pisa. Among the apartments, we can note the spacious apartment Inner City Pisa, which is perfect for those traveling with family or a large group.
How to get around Pisa
Getting around the historical center of Pisa is quite convenient on foot. Even from Central Station(Pisa Centrale) to the Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli) is no more than half an hour’s walk, despite the fact that they are located at opposite ends of this very historical center. Availability railway station San Rossore (Pisa S. Rossore) simplifies matters even more. It is at this station that it is more convenient to get off if you are not interested in anything other than the Leaning Tower of Pisa (the walk takes about 10-15 minutes). If you are traveling to Pisa for one day, say, from Florence, then you can do this: come to Pisa S. Rossore, see the sights of the Piazza dei Miracles, walk around the city center in the direction from the square to the Pisa Centrale train station, from where and return back.
If necessary, you can resort to the city public transport– for routes see www.pisa.cttnord.it. By bus (red line LAM), for example, you can get from Pisa airport to the city center - the bus also stops at the Central railway station, and near the Square of Miracles.
What to see in Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa) has already been mentioned more than once. It is this that is the main attraction of Pisa, along with other architectural creations decorating the Cathedral Square. In addition to the falling bell tower, this is the actual Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta), the Baptistery of San Giovanni (Battistero di San Giovanni) and the monumental cemetery of Campo Santo. Everything that is said to be from the must see category. Established architectural ensemble It would have been worth seeing even if the bell tower had not decided to tilt.
The architectural ensemble of the second most important square in Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri, is also of interest. Its main attraction is the Carovana Palace (Palazzo della Carovana), which attracts the eye thanks to the decoration of the facade and the massive staircase.
The Church of Santa Maria della Spina is also worth a visit in Pisa. Although this Gothic church is not large, it is impossible to ignore it. There are other interesting medieval churches in Pisa (in particular, the Church of St. Paul, Chiesa di San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno, with the Chapel of St. Agatha, Cappella di Sant'Agata), because it was in the Middle Ages that the city, being the center of Pisa republic, experienced a period of prosperity.
However, in previous centuries Pisa played a prominent role. So, during the Roman Empire there was major port. What is most remarkable is that in Pisa there are preserved remains of ancient ships that were accidentally discovered in 1998 near the Pisa S. Rossore railway station. Now there is a unique opportunity to see them (see the official website of the museum www.navidipisa.it).
It is also worth mentioning that Pisa is an ancient university city. One of the students at the University of Pisa was Galileo Galilei, whose name is perhaps as famous as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. At one time, one of the world's first botanical gardens was opened at the university. You can still visit it today, fortunately it is located in the very center of the city. Another interesting park– Giardino Scotto – located on the banks of the Arno River. It's worth a look there if you have the chance.
Where to go from Pisa
From the point of view of traveling around Tuscany, it is perhaps more convenient to be based in Florence, but Pisa is also an interesting option in its own way. From Pisa you can go to Lucca in one day. Moreover, the road along railway will take no more than half an hour, while from Florence to Lucca is about an hour and a half. It is more convenient to get from Pisa to the Cinque Terre - one of the most scenic spots in Italy, which is located in neighboring Liguria. Another interesting destination for a day trip is Volterra. In addition, there are many small but cute towns like Vinci, San Miniato or Castelfranco di Sotto. And if you wish, you can also make an excursion to the island of Elba.