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Pisa and The Leaning Tower Half Day Tour from Florence

Explore the City famous for its Piazza dei Miracoli and enjoy skip-the-line access with this tour

( 2 ) From: $103.23

Pisa and Lucca in a Day

Pisa and Lucca Day Trip from Florence

Book a stress-free trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Lucca's medieval walls in a day

( 16 ) From: $72.15

Pisa & Cinque Terre Day Trip From Florence

Explore the charming towns of Monterosso and Manarola, embark on a coastal hike, and tour Pisa

From: $113.22

Private Tour

Private Pisa Day Trip from Florence with Lunch in Vinci

Discover Tuscany on this VIP private tour, with Leaning Tower of Pisa, Da Vinci Museum, and more!

( 15 ) From: $893.55

Livorno Shore Excursion: Florence & Pisa

Maximize your day ashore on this jam-packed private tour with Leaning Tower, David, and more!

( 8 ) From: $1,631.70

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• Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets and tours

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Pisa Leaning Tower and Cathedral entrance tickets

Book your tickets for the Tower of Pisa, choose the option that best suits your needs and visit one of the most famous monuments in the world!

Leaning Tower, Cathedral, Cemetery, Baptistery and Sinopie Museum entrance tickets

Buy this combined ticket and visit the Tower of Pisa with the Baptistery, the Cemetery, the Sinopie Museum and the Opera del Duomo Museum.

Pisa guided tour with wine tasting and optional Leaning Tower tickets

Discover the famous Square of Miracles and get to the top of the Leaning Tower. At the end of the tour enjoy a wine tasting with a local expert!

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Pisa audio guide with TravelMate app

Make the most of your time in Pisa with this TravelMate app on your mobile device. Discover the city's highlights and curiosities that will surprise you.

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2-hour guided walking tour of Pisa

Admire the famous Leaning Tower, stroll around Galileo's neighborhood and admire the medieval Piazza dei Cavalieri.

Pisa and Lucca tour with Buccellato tasting

Discover the beauties of Pisa and Lucca, taste Buccellato, a typical and rare Lucchese cake.

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Baptistery, Cathedral and optional Leaning Tower guided tour

Discover the Miracle Square, Cathedral and Baptistery in Pisa with a local guide. Get advantage of the optional skip-the-line tickets to the Leaning Tower.

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Pisa guided tour with optional Leaning Tower from Florence

Book this Pisa tour from Florence to discover the Square of Miracles with a guide: visit the Cathedral and skip the line to climb up the Leaning Tower.

Best of Pisa guided visit with Leaning Tower skip-the-line tickets

Book your guided tour of Pisa with skip-the-line ticket to the Leaning Tower. Admire the beautiful Square of Miracles and visit the Cathedral.

Pisa guided tour with Leaning Tower and entrance to the Cathedral

Learn about Pisa's culture and history, walk along the medieval streets and climb the Leaning Tower.

Round-trip excursion from Florence to Pisa

Enjoy this excursion to Pisa from Florence. Easily reach the city of the Leaning Tower and explore on your own or with a professional guide.

Square of Miracles guided tour with optional Leaning Tower tickets

Book your tickets to visit Piazza dei Miracoli with a local guide and climb the Leaning Tower with skip-the-line entrance.

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Pisa guided walking tour

Enjoy a guided tour of Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli. Visit of the Cathedral and be enthralled by the Leaning Tower.

Afternoon excursion to Pisa with Leaning Tower and Cathedral tickets from Florence

Book your excursion to Pisa with Leaning Tower and Cathedral tickets from Florence. Live the amazing experience of climbing the world's most famous tower!

Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti day trip with lunch

Buy your Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti tour with typical lunch from Florence. Explore the best of Tuscany in one day!

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Florence and Pisa shore excursion from Livorno

Book a roundtrip transfer with an easy and comfortable coach service from Livorno to Florence and Pisa. Discover two impressive Tuscan cities in just one day.

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Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti tour with lunch

Book your Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti tour with lunch at a local winery. Discover the most renowned Tuscan towns in just one day!

Dining experience at a local's home in Pisa with cooking demo

Don't miss a cooking show at a Cesarina's home in Pisa and discover authentic traditional recipes!

Pisa private walking tour

Explore Pisa with a guide and get to know everything about the city of the Leaning Tower. See Piazza del Duomo, the neighborhoods of Sant'Antonio and San Martino and much more.

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Cooking class and tasting at a Cesarina's home in Pisa

Immerse yourself in a private cooking class at the Cesarina's home and learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of Pisa cuisine.

World audio guide with TravelMate app

Make the most of your time in 33 cities around the world with this TravelMate app on your smartphone. Listen to detailed audio commentaries in your language.

The inside story

Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa lean? The Romanesque 183ft (56m) campanile, was begun in 1170 but started leaning immediately due to the porous clay soil beneath it.

Building diagonal floors to offset the lean was attempted in 1272, but didn’t help. In 1372, the tower was leaning 4.5ft (1.4m). By 1993, it was 17ft (5.4m) and the tower was closed for ten years amid fears it might fall. But by 2013, it had started to lean slightly back in the opposite direction. What was happening?

Major engineering work had drained the water beneath, reinforced the foundations with concrete pillars, and bound the tower with steel cables. It worked. The tower reverted to the leaning angle of 300 years previously.

Some engineers believe it is possible to straighten the tower completely, but nobody wants that. Current predictions are that it will continue to straighten, stop, and then begin to lean again, but much more slowly than in previous centuries. The people of Pisa are happy. Three million tickets are sold each year to visit a leaning tower – not a straight one.

Opening times

9.45am-5.15pm November and February (1 November 9.00am-6.00pm)

10.00am-5.00pm December and January (5-8 December: 9.00am-6.30pm) (21 December - 6 January 10.00am-7.00pm)

9.00am-6.00pm until 23 March (9.00am-7.00pm 23-29 March) (8.30am-8.00pm from 30 March)

9.00am-8.00pm April to September 8.30am-10.00pm 17 June to 31 August (16 June: 8.30am-5.30pm)

9.30am-7.00pm October

About the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Few people initially realize that the tower is part of a much larger complex at the Square of Miracles. Here, you’ll also find the Cathedral of Pisa (the Duomo), the baptistery and the monumental cemetery – all in the Romanesque style.

Construction began in 1173 and was completed in 1399 under the guidance of various architects. Alas, these guys didn’t know their Greek very well. The name ‘Pisa’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘marshland’ – not the kind of foundation you’d want for any tall building. Indeed, the baptistery and the cathedral are also sinking into the ground.

The other sights of the Piazza dei Miracoli are also historically very interesting and worth a visit. For example, the cemetery is made of no normal earth. It was created using 53 shiploads of holy earth taken from the hill of Calvary in Jerusalem so that the dead could enjoy some quality rest. Galileo was baptized in the baptistery here and spent some time throwing things off the tower when he got older. One of his experiments involved dropping two cannonballs of different weights to show that they fell at the same speed.

People forget that the tower’s main function was as a campanile: a bell tower. Accordingly, it has seven bells – one for each note of the musical scale. They have their own names: Assunta (the biggest), Crocifisso, San Ranieri, Dal Pozzo, Pasquereccia, Terza, and Vespruccio. They are still used to ring before masses and at midday each day. Try to time your visit to see (hear) the tower doing its stuff.

Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy

Getting there

Lines 3, 4 and Shuttle A from Pisa Centrale to the Tower

From train station entrance and across the city

From Pisa Centrale’s main entrance towards Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, turn onto Via Crispi to Ponte Solferino. Cross the bridge and continue until Via Roma, then along Via Roma to Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower

From San Rossore train station, take the subway and get off at Piazza Fancelli. Walk to Via Andrea Pisano, turn left and continue until you reach the Piazza dei Miracoli

How to get there

• Best places to visit in Tuscany

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Pisa’s main attraction is certainly its Leaning Tower . It is one of the icons of Pisa and the whole of Italy, and is undoubtedly one of the most famous and visited monuments by tourists from all over the world, who never miss a chance to take or have their photos taken in the most extravagant or curious positions.

The Tower is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta , which is located a few metres away. We are located in Piazza dei Miracoli , the most beautiful monumental area of Pisa, north of the historical centre; the tower is about 56 metres high and today is inclined at about 4 degrees to the vertical axis.

Work on the construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in 1173, and immediately ground subsidence occurred, leading to the interruption of work when only three storeys had been built. The building site was at a standstill for about 100 years, and only restarted in 1275. From its completion almost another 100 years later in 1372 to the present day, the tower has always been the focus of restoration and conservation work to prevent it from tilting too much and to minimise the risk of collapse. The last works were only completed in 2008, and from this date it is estimated that the inclination may remain unchanged for at least another 300 years.

Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower can be visited throughout the year. The visit involves climbing 251 steps , some of which are uneven and slippery, and it is therefore not recommended for those with motor problems or cardiovascular diseases. For safety reasons, children under the age of 8 are not allowed to enter.

It is not possible to purchase a ticket for the tower alone, but must be purchased in addition to the visit to the Cathedral. Alternatively, it is possible to buy a cumulative ticket for the complete visit of Piazza dei Miracoli, i.e. the tower, baptistery, cemetery, cathedral, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and Museo delle Sinopie. The cumulative ticket is, of course, much more expensive, but for those interested in entering all the monuments it can be an excellent opportunity.

The ticket for the Leaning Tower of Pisa is only valid at the time of purchase, so you have to choose your turn in advance; for all other monuments the ticket is valid for one year during opening hours. Entry is permitted up to 30 minutes before closing time, which varies according to the months of the year.

The Bells of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has 7 bells , which ring before masses and at midday, while originally each bell rang at a particular time.

• Assunta bell: this is the largest of the entire bell tower, with a mass of no less than 2600 kg. It dates back to 1654, when it was cast by Giovanni Pietro Orlandi.
• Crocifisso bell: initially cast in 1572 and then again in 1818, it has a mass of 1850kg.
• San Ranieri bell: originally called the Bell of Justice, and located in the palace of the same name; it originally rang for the deaths of traitors, and was taken to the Tower of Pisa in the 15th century.
• Dal Pozzo bell: severely damaged by bombs during World War II, the original was taken to a museum, and a copy, made by the Marinelli foundry in Agnone, was put in its place.
• Easter bell : it takes this name because in past centuries it used to ring on Easter Day. It is the oldest bell in the tower, dating back to 1262.
• Third Bell: in past centuries, this was the bell that rang at the third hour of the day, i.e. nine o’clock in the morning. It is a rather small bell, made in Alsace or Lorraine in 1473.
• Vespruccio Bell: this is the smallest of the seven, with a mass of ‘only’ 120kg. It originally rang at the hour of Vespers, i.e. at six o’clock in the afternoon.

Tickets and guided tours of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa can be visited in total autonomy, all you have to do is buy a ticket and visit it at your own pace, whether it is a simple ticket, combined with other attractions, or with a guided tour.

Skip-the-line ticket for the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The most common and sold ticket includes both entrance to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo . As it is one of the most visited attractions in Italy, it is highly recommended to book tickets online before you go.

Piazza dei Miracoli Full Ticket

Alternatively, for a little more money, you can secure tickets and a visit to all the monuments in the splendid Piazza dei Miracoli : Leaning Tower of Pisa, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Camposanto, Baptistery, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and Museo delle Sinopie.

Ticket + guided tour

However, it is certainly possible to hire a private guide who will accompany you during the ascent and show you the highlights of this incredible monument. You can also take part in a group tour that will take you to discover the beauties of Pisa, of which the Tower is obviously at the top of the list.

There are also tours of Pisa with a visit to the Leaning Tower departing from Florence ; as the two cities are only an hour’s drive apart, this is the perfect day trip for those staying in the Tuscan capital and wanting to see as much as possible.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa in numbers

• 2 metres above sea level
• 58.36 metres above sea level on the foundation level, corresponding to 100 Pisan fathoms
• 55.86 metres of altitude on the low side, 56.70 metres on the high side
• 5.82 metres in height of each loggia
• 15.48 metres outside diameter at the base
• 14453 tons total mass
• 7 bells total
• 296 steps up to the belfry
• 251 steps open to the public during the visit

Useful information

Entrance ticket.

• Monday: 09:00 - 20:00
• Tuesday: 09:00 - 20:00
• Wednesday: 09:00 - 20:00
• Thursday: 09:00 - 20:00
• Friday: 09:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 20:00
• Torre 1 (350 mt)

Where is located Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in the centre of Piazza dei Miracoli, north of the historical centre of the Tuscan city.

• Airport transfers
• Airport parking

The 5 Best Leaning Tower of Pisa Tours From Florence [2024 Reviews]

These are the top-rated tours to the leaning tower of pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, often referred to as simply the Tower of Pisa has been made famous for its signature lean. In fact, the unstable foundation of the tower has caused a lean of almost 4 degrees. When referring to architecture, this is quite a bit.

While in the last 2 decades or so the lean has corrected itself by a few centimeters, this lean makes the Leaning Tower of Pisa one of the most popular Florence tours to nearby areas.

Looking for the top Leaning Tower of Pisa tours? These are our top 5 picks of day tours from Florence to the Tower of Pisa.

Best Tower of Pisa Tours

Quick answer: the 5 best rated leaning tower of pisa tours from florence.

• From Florence: Private Half-Day Pisa & the Leaning Tower
• From Florence: Pisa Day Tour with Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Pisa: Half-Day Afternoon Tour from Florence
• The Pisa Tower, Lucca & Wine Tour from Florence
• Leaning Tower of Pisa: Exclusive Half-Day Trip from Florence

Leaning Tower of Pisa Tours from Florence Reviews

#1 from florence: private half-day pisa & the leaning tower.

• Departure Point : Main Entrance of Piazza di Santa Maria Novella
• Departure Time : 9:00 AM
• Duration : 4 hours, 30 minutes (approx.)
• Includes : skip-the-line access Leaning Tower of Pisa tour, roundtrip Florence to Pisa tour, a private tour of Pisa with expert guide lasting approximately 2 hours

Over the course of 2 hours, your expert guide will take you through the Cathedral Square of Pisa. This not only includes access to the Leaning Tower of Pisa but also the baptistery, the cathedral, and the cemetery.

The Cathedral Square of Pisa is often referred to as Piazza dei Miracoli, or the Miracles Square, due to the miracle of the beautiful architecture here. The guide you meet upon arriving in Pisa will make sure you know exactly why it’s referred to as the Miracle Square.

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After touring the baptistery, which is the largest in Europe, and learning more about the cathedral and the cemetery enclosed within the square, you will have skip-the-line access to the Leaning Tower if Pisa itself. This allows you to climb the steps all the way to the top where you will enjoy miraculous views of the city laid out before you.

How far is Pisa from Florence? It takes approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes to arrive in Pisa. This makes this tour an ideal option out of the many half-day tours from Florence. You can be back in Florence by lunchtime to enjoy other Florence tours as well.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other experiences you may enjoy:, #2 from florence: pisa half-day trip with cathedral and tower entry.

• Departure Point : Piazzale Montelungo, hotel pickup on request
• Departure Time : 8:00 AM
• Duration : 5 hours (approx.)
• Includes : roundtrip travel by modern coach, an expert and multilingual guide, entry fees, skip-the-line Leaning Tower of Pisa tour

While hotel pickup is available if requested, meeting your driver at Piazzale Montelungo is fairly easy. It’s located near public transportation and the driver is easy to locate in a bright, fuchsia shirt. How far is Pisa from Florence? The drive will take approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes.

When you arrive at Pisa, you will meet your guide. They are an expert and multilingual so you can get the most out the time you spend visiting Pisa from Florence. In fact, you’ll be taken on guided tours of nearly every major location within the Piazza dei Miracoli, also known as the Square of Miracles, with it’s beautiful, white marble architecture and statues.

On your tour or Pisa, your guide will tell you the history of this city, dating back to Medieval times, as well as the historical facts and legendary stories surrounding this city. Learn about the Roman influence in Pisa, learn the importance of the largest baptistery in Europe, learn about who calls the Monumental Graveyard their resting place, and more.

The last stop will be the Leaning Tower of Pisa tour itself. Skip-the-line and head inside to climb up nearly 300 steps to reach the top of the tower for the beautiful views of the city below. Be sure to snap pictures of the outside before you head inside as you’ll be meeting your driver soon after exiting the tower.

#3 Pisa: Half-Day Afternoon Tour from Florence

• Departure Point : Piazzale Montelungo
• Departure Time : 1:30 PM
• Duration : 6 hours (approx.)
• Includes : roundtrip transportation by air-conditioned coach, licensed tour guide, earphones with larger groups, cathedral entry fees

Are you looking for Tower of Pisa tours from Florence that leave in the afternoon? If you’d rather take your time in the morning instead of rushing to get to the meeting points for the earlier half day tours from Florence, this Pisa tour is ideal.

On your travel through the Italian countryside on your way to Pisa, be sure to snap photos. Then, when you arrive in Pisa, your expert, licensed guide will take you on a walking tour throughout Piazza Dei Miracoli, also known as the Square of Miracles.

Your tour includes entrance to the Cathedral inside Miracle Square. Enjoy the unique art and architecture influenced by both this region of Italy and the Roman Empire. If the lines to enter this cathedral are longer, you may be offered a guided tour of Piazza dei Cavalieri instead. This cathedral was a center of political activity during the Middle Ages.

After you’ve toured the cathedral and learned more about the cemetery and baptistery also located in Pisa, you will have free time to explore the Square independently. Tours of other monuments are available for small entry fees or you can always dip into a few shops for some souvenirs. After your Florence to Pisa tour, you’ll return in the late evening to make your dinner plans.

#4 The Pisa Tower, Lucca & Wine Tour from Florence

• Departure Point : Hotel Pickup
• Duration : 9 Hours (approx.)
• Includes : pickup and drop off at local Florence hotels, travel by air-conditioned minivan with an expert guide, lunch, all entry fees, wine tasting

After being picked up at your Florence hotel to begin your Pisa tour, you’ll take an hour’s drive to Villa Maionchi. Located in Italy’s Tuscany region , it is the ideal place to stop for a visit. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the vineyards and be offered some of their best wines to taste.

After your Tuscany wine tasting experience, you’ll head to the heart of Lucca, where the Renaissance still lives on in old walls, cobblestone streets, and other evidence of another time in history. Your guide will take you along these walls, telling you about their history, construction, and purpose.

Before leaving Lucca, you’ll enjoy a traditional, Tuscan lunch at Osteria Baralla. With delicious food and these guided tours, your experiences in Lucca will give you yet another way to enjoy your Pisa tour from Florence.

Finally, by mid-afternoon, you will arrive in Pisa. This is one of the most popular Florence day tours because you won’t just explore the tower itself, but also the cathedral and cemetery that are all a part of the Piazza dei Miracoli. Arrive back at your hotel around 6:30 PM, with plenty of time to make your dinner plans back in Florence.

#5 Leaning Tower of Pisa: Exclusive Half-Day Trip from Florence

• Duration : 5 to 6 hours (approx.)
• Includes : roundtrip transportation by air-conditioned coach, local guide, entry fees, time for independent exploration

When you arrive in Pisa, you will meet your local guide who will take you directly into the Square. It had been renamed as Piazza dei Miracoli when it became known as the “Field of Miracles” due to its beautiful architecture and statues made of bright, white marble.

The Square is home not just to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but also the largest baptistery in Europe and other monuments. While visiting Pisa from Florence, you will be taken on a guided tour of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, where you can take pictures from the top of the tower.

You’ll then had to the cathedral where you will learn more about the art and architectural features inside the ancient building. Your local guide may even be able to answer questions you have about the Roman influence in this cathedral.

Before heading back to Florence, you will have plenty of time to explore Pisa on your own. For an additional fee, you may also want to visit other monuments within the Square. You can also take advantage of photo ops or snag a few souvenirs in the shops.

Best Leaning Tower of Pisa Tours from Florence Guide

If you’re planning a vacation to Florence, Italy you should know what airport you’ll be flying into, the best accommodations available, what restaurants to stop by, and more. In this travel guide, we give you all the information you’ll need to get started planning your vacation. Have you been to Florence and want to suggest a tourist stop or restaurant? Comment below!

Airports & Entry

There is a small airport in Florence, the Florence Peretola. It was previously known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport. However, you will most likely fly into the Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa. This is a much larger airport so long-distance, foreign flights are most likely to land here.

Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months past your intended date of departure. If you’re planning on an extended stay, you can stay in Italy for up to 90 days without the need for a visa, so long as your passport is valid.

Planning Tips

Visiting Florence can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, it’s important to plan and prepare for your trip properly. Here, we have our top 5 tips for those planning a trip to Florence, Italy. Have you visited and have a tip of your own? Leave it in the comments down below!

Tip #1: Don’t be Afraid to Spit

When wine tasting in Italy, it is common for the taster to swish the wine around in their mouth to get the full profile of flavors, and then spit the wine out. This is so that you can taste many more wines without becoming intoxicated. It may feel a bit uncomfortable to spit out your drink in public, but it’s actually the cultural norm for this country.

Tip #2: Eat Light

You’ll find that even entrees featuring meat and pasta are smaller in portion size than what we see here in the US. Most of the time, meals consist of lighter fare including crostini, cured meat, and cheeses. Do not be surprised at the smaller portions of heavy meals and the abundance of lighter snacks.

Tip #3: Explore Florence on Foot

Not only is walking the preferred method of getting around in Florence, but it is also the easiest. While you may be walking with many other tourists, walking allows you to see more of the city. It may even take longer to wait for a taxi or bus than it would to walk to your destination. You will also most likely be walking at many of the attractions. Be sure to bring a pair or two of comfortable walking shoes.

Tip #4: Prioritize Your List

It would take months, if not years, to visit and explore every museum, gallery, eatery, and other important location within the city of Florence. Be sure to prioritize the list of places you’d like to see based on the length of time you’re spending here. Many of the attractions have estimated wait times based on the time of year and time of day you are visiting. This makes it easier to plan out your sightseeing.

Tip #5: Take Those 500 Steps

The Cathedral in Florence, called the Duomo, is the 4th-largest cathedral in the world. It took nearly 2 centuries to complete. Be sure to save at least one day to explore it. If you’d like to reach the highest point in Florence by hiking the 463 steps to the cathedral’s cupola, you’ll need to make a reservation. However, you won’t be disappointed.

Tip #6: Explore The Surrounding Cities

Venice is only a few hours northeast of Florence. This famous beautiful city is a must see! You must see the incomparable St Mark’s Basilica and take a gondola ride though its canals. There is so much to see and do there it needs to be on your list of places to see.

Restaurants & Eating Out

It seems even the food vendors at every corner and in front of every attraction have some of the best food available. These vendors also make it very quick to grab a bite to eat while on your way from one destination to another.

If you’re looking for some of the best gelato in Florence, you want to check out Carapina. The flavors of gelato available will change based on the season, and the number of choices is limited on purpose, but if you’ve ever thought of trying gelato with either olive oil or parmesan, this is the place.

The Borgo san Jacopo is one of the most exclusive restaurants in Florence. There are just four tables on a small terrace, but this terrace offers breathtaking views of the Ponte Vecchio. The star chef, Peter Brunel, offers mouthwatering entrées. Save room for the purple potato sorbet with various toppings, including gold leaf, for dessert.

A popular stop for many tourists is La Menagere. La Menagere is home to both a café and cocktail bar, but you’ll also find beautiful bouquets in the flower shop as well as quality Italian homeware in the store. Dinner entrées can include everything from spaghetti with squid to beef with pears.

Nightlife & Entertainment

While it’s common to stop for a cocktail in the evening before turning in, nightlife in Florence is relatively calm. In fact, one of their most popular bars offers cappuccino and pastries in the morning, a light lunch in the afternoon, and a buffet dinner as well as cocktails in the evening. This bar, known as Caffe degli Artigiani, is in the center of the artisan district.

The La Casa del Vino is a popular wine bar near the center of town. If you’re looking to try some of the top wines in the area of Tuscany or even find some less common wines from all over the country, you’ll want to stop by. To go with the extensive wine list, there is a menu of light snacks that includes meats, cheeses, crostini, and salads.

Getting Around

Getting around by car in the city of Florence is nearly impossible. Much of the city is off-limits to drivers. Of those streets that are drivable, many are narrow and might even be one-way. If traveling by car is necessary, you’ll want to take a taxi. However, taxis are quite expensive.

The best way to get around Florence is on foot. In fact, it’s possible to walk from one side of the city to the other in less than an hour. If your feet are getting tired or you have a longer distance to travel, a bus system is available. You can find tickets at local convenience stores.

Accommodations

If the city of Florence had a theme, it would be luxury. From the historical sites to the most modern hotels, from street food vendors to well-known eateries, Florence is the epitome of luxury. If you’d like to experience that firsthand, be sure to research your accommodations. If you’re familiar with the Four Seasons brand, you may know what to expect from the Four Seasons Florence.

However, Florence is home to some very unique accommodations as well. The Palazzo Vecchietti features just 12 bedrooms and suites along with two apartments. Each is named after famous Italian artists. This 16th-century Palazzo has been turned into a luxury bed-and-breakfast of sorts, with meals being served in a common area on the top floor. A luxury Florence hotel with more of a retro feel is the Continentale. Weather

You may want to avoid July and August when planning a trip to Florence. January is usually the coldest month with temperatures in the low 40s, Fahrenheit. While the average temperature in July is in the mid-70s Fahrenheit, the humidity can make it feel unbearably warm. The best times to travel to Florence are in the spring and fall. Attractions

You’ll find the attractions in Florence mostly based on the history and food of the region. While the Statue of David is arguably one of the most popular sights to see in Florence, getting in to see Michelangelo’s famous artwork can take some time. Lines are usually very long, but it’s worth it.

You may also want to stop at Piazzale Michelangiolo , a terrace overlooking the city. The skyline of Florence seen from this terrace is the same often seen on postcards. Late afternoon or early evening are ideal times to visit as the crowds have died down.

There is no shortage of museums to visit while in Florence. Gucci Museo, or the Gucci Museum, is quite fun and a bit different than most other museums in the area. An archeological museum, the Museo Archeologico, features much of the regional history prior to the Medicis.

The Galleria dell’ Accademia is home to the Statue of David and other popular exhibits such as several Stradivarius violins and famous paintings. Be sure to see the Uffuzi Gallery as well to see the Renaissance period masterpieces.

Enjoying the Wine That Makes Florence Famous

While one of the most popular tourist activities in Florence is wine tasting, be sure not to miss out on the beauty and history of the city itself. Florence may be a small city compared to some, but the experiences had during even a short vacation here will last a lifetime.

If you’re headed to Florence, what are you looking forward to the most? Let us know!

Professional Services

We chose the Pisa Tower, Lucca & Wine Tour from Florence as our Editor's Choice for a tour that originated in Florence and visits the Leaning Tower.

Krysha Thayer

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best wine tours from florence [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

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Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Guide to the World's Most Famous Tower

• Campo dei Miracoli
• Historical Facts
• Tourist Information
• Photo Gallery
• Hotels in Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most remarkable architectural structures from medieval Europe.

It is located in the Italian town of Pisa , one of the most visited European cities.

Leaning Tower of Pisa Facts:

• Tower of Pisa stands at 60 metres and until 1990 was leaning at about a 10 degree angle.
• Although it was designed to be perfectly vertical, it started to lean during construction.
• » Here you can see more Facts about Leaning Tower of Pisa .

The Square of Miracles

Square of Miracles

Tower of Pisa is more accurately referred to simply as the bell tower, or campanile.

The Pisa tower is one of the four buildings that make up the cathedral complex in Pisa, Italy, called Campo dei Miracoli or Piazza dei Miracoli, which means Field of Miracles.

The first building constructed at Campo dei Miracoli, Pisa, was the cathedral, or Duomo di Pisa, which rests on a white marble pavement and is an impressive example of Romanesque architecture.

Square of Miracles, Baptistery

The next building added was the baptistery just west of the dome.Then work on the campanile began. Before the work on the campanile was completed the cemetery, Campo Santo, was built.

Piazza dei Miracoli of Pisa is the most splendiferous assemblage of Romanesque architecture in Italy. Faced in gray-and-white striped marble and bristling with columns and arches, the cathedral, with its curiously Islamic dome and matching domed baptistery, rises from an emerald green lawn.

Flanking one side of the piazza, the camposanto, or cemetery, is a gracefully elongated cloister enclosing a burial ground with earth reputedly brought back during the Crusades from Golgotha, the hill where Jesus was crucified, so that noble Pisans could rest in holy ground.

Don’t Forget to → Book Your Leaning Tower of Pisa Tickets Now

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning-Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the piazza’s crowning glory.

Although only a third as high as the Washington Monument, it was a miracle of medieval engineering, probably the tallest bell towers in Europe.

With 207 columns ranged around eight stories, Tower of Pisa looks like a massive wedding cake knocked precariously askew by a clumsy giant guest.

The construction of Tower of Pisa began in August 1173 and continued for about 200 years due to the onset of a series of wars. Till today, the name of the architect is a mystery.

Leaning Tower of Pisa and Cathedral The leaning Tower of Pisa was designed as a circular bell tower that would stand 185 feet high. It is constructed of white marble.

The tower has eight stories, including the chamber for the bells.

The bottom story consists of 15 marble arches. Each of the next six stories contains 30 arches that surround the tower.

The final story is the bell chamber itself, which has 16 arches. There is a 297 step spiral staircase inside the tower leading to the top.

The top of the leaning tower of Pisa is about 17 feet off the vertical.

The tower is also slightly curved from the attempts by various architects to keep it from leaning more or falling over.

Many ideas have been suggested to straighten the Tower of Pisa, including taking it apart stone by stone and rebuilding it at a different location.

In the 1920s the foundations of the tower were injected with cement grouting that has stabilized the tower to some extent.

Until recent years tourists were not allowed to climb the staircase inside the tower, due to consolidation work.

But now the leaning Tower of Pisa is open again and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy → Book a Hotel or check our → Visit Tower of Pisa page.

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Plan your Visit to Pisa's Leaning Tower Today

Book your tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Advance

It’s not just a case of avoiding the lines when you buy your tickets online - the fact is that there is only a limited number of tickets available for each day, divided by every half hour. This means you risk showing up, waiting in line to get tickets and still not being to climb the steps to the very top of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage monument in Pisa . The construction on the Leaning Tower of Pisa started in 1173 and lasted for almost 200 years but the tilt was evident almost from the beginning!

Even today, after many successful and unsuccessful attempts to compensate for the tilt, the bell tower to the Cathedral of Pisa still tantalizes its admirers worldwide with its 8 stories of white and gray marble. It is a monument that is definitely worth a visit not only for the unique tilt but for its grace and beauty of the tower and admiring the Square of Miracles from above.

Book your Tower of Pisa tickets

Want to Climb The Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Buy your tickets and reserve your place in line.

Your visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and climb to the very top is a matter of being prepared. Due to the limited number of tickets available daily, it is necessary to reserve your spot in line. When you book your tickets online, you select a date and time and a confirmation email will be sent to you. Once you arrive in Pisa, you can pick-up your reserved tickets and skip the long lines and possible disappointment of not finding any spots left. Your ticket to the tower also guarantees you entry into the Cathedral with its immense wealth of artwork, sculptures and paintings. The entrance to the church is free however you still need to get a ticket to enter: when you reserve your ticket online for the Leaning Tower of Pisa you automatically get your ticket for the church without waiting in another line.

The climb up the tower is extremely exhilarating for kids and adults alike making it perfect for families ! Just note that for security reasons, kids under 8 are NOT allowed to climb the tower. So please plan your time in Pisa and climb up the tower accordingly.

Reserve your Place in Line

Visit The Square of Miracles

A collection of beauty and elegance.

Though mainly known for the Leaning Tower, the Square of Miracles contains several of the more famous monuments in Pisa. Fortunately they are all located in one place, creating an unforgettable skyline of marble, stone, arches and peaks. Pisa's political scene in the early years played a significant role in the construction of these immense structures, the final result is stunning to behold.

• The Baptistery , the largest baptistery in all of Italy, shares the same fame as the tower since it too leans! The tilt is less noticeable but look at the ground around it.
• The Cathedral , started over a 100 years before the bell tower is a prime example of Pisan Romanesque style of architecture
• The Camposanto Monumentale , though devastated in World War II has been rebuilt to match its original splendor
• The Sinopie Museum preserves the beauty of the images that once covered the walls of the Camposanto
• The Leaning Tower of Pisa , the famous bell tower to the impressive Cathedral of Pisa

If you're interested in learning more about the city beyond the tower, immersing yourself in what life must have been in the Pisa of the past, we recommend you take advantage of the many walking tours that will take you to other of the main sights in Pisa. Many of them include the climb up the tower , so check them out before booking just tickets!!

Book a Walking Tour of Pisa

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Author: Lourdes Flores

I'm from California but have called Florence my home for over a decade. I love to explore Italy; it is a lot of fun to try to see everything like I'm seeing it for the first time, keeping you, our readers, always in mind. I enjoy sharing what I know and helping others as they make their travel plans for Tuscany through our Forum . If you have itinerary-related questions, please post them there!

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Have you ever climbed to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa ? Don't waste time reserve your tickets and skip the queue , live this unique experience!

How to buy tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa ? Famous worldwide for the elegance of its architecture and the uniqueness of its statics . It was begun in 1173 and interrupted due to a subsidence that caused it to lean . It was resumed in 1275 by Giovanni di Simone and possibly completed by Tommaso di Andrea di Pondera at the end of the 14th century. Its height is 55.22 m on the north side and 54.52 m on the south side, with a height difference of 4.265 m. From there, Galileo Galilei conducted his famous experiments with falling bodies .

Leaning Tower of Pisa: why it is the most popular monument on social media

If I asked you what the most iconic monument in Italy is, I am one hundred per cent sure that the Leaning Tower of Pisa would be on your list of Italy's most iconic monuments . How could you be wrong: it is one of the most visited and photographed monuments in the world , known everywhere and often associated with Made in Italy in every way . Although the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a very powerful symbol as a reference to our beloved Italy, yet many people do not know its history . Neither do they know the interesting things related to it, such as the reason for its slope , and are content with a selfie with its unmistakable backdrop . You can find it everywhere on social media with everyone trying their hand at holding it up. With this post we want to pay homage to a monument that we have been lucky enough to know since we were children because of its uniqueness. Sometimes we Italians take it for granted, but we all take a selfie with the Tower of Pisa in the background sooner or later . Why not try a funny pose in an attempt to hold it and not let it fall. Come and see the Leaning Tower of Pisa .

Can one climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa? How to buy tickets for the Tower of Pisa?

The answer is yes, and about three million people a year experience this and actually do it . This way you will understand that you need to plan your ascent in advance , making even better use of the opportunity to skip the queue. On our website, in the Ticket section, you can find many ways to buy tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa , either to skip the queue or for a guided tour of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and the rest of the attractions that Piazza dei Miracoli offers. We recommend this because the queues can be very long and also because there is a limited number of people who can enter for security reasons.

Leaning Tower of Pisa, why you need to organise your visit and reserve your tickets in time

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is beautiful from below, have you ever stopped to admire it? Have you ever tried climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa on a sunny June afternoon, but also on any other day of the year? Let me tell you that the experience will be unique and enjoyable . But watch out for many small details, especially concerning safety. We will help you make the experience even more exciting. Get organised in good time and plan your visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and its ascent to the top . First you need to make a reservation . Tickets are available 16 days in advance, from the day you want to board, up to 45 days. This means that if things go wrong, tickets must be booked at least one and a half months in advance . Yes, you can go the same day to see if you can get tickets, but only do it if you like a gamble, we are rather sceptical.

Tower of Pisa visit duration: curiosities and things to know

Do you want to know the duration of the visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa ? Know that you have to show up at the agreed time, in fact show up at least 5 minutes earlier. Be on time... because the visit lasts only 30 minutes . This is no joke. We would like to inform you well, we found out that the visit lasts half an hour between the ascent and descent of the tower . That means 294 steps to climb in 30 minutes, a quick view and 294 steps to descend. Why is the visit so short? We asked ourselves that question. After all, if it takes you 10 minutes to climb 294 steps... and you don't take less time unless you're Spider-Man, and that 10 minutes or less to descend, you're left with 10 minutes to admire Pisa from above . Very little in my opinion. Time to take two photos and you have to come down again. I think the time is calculated this way because only 40 people at a time can go up the Leaning Tower and maybe they have decided to maximise the entries in those limited times. There is nothing wrong with the ticket being cheap. But rest assured that thanks to us you will be able to buy your ticket in advance and be ready for the experience. Practice climbing up and down the steps and enjoy the view , you will not be disappointed.

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A Little Day Trip… A Visit to Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa

Last updated on August 23, 2023 by Shannon

What world travel is complete without a classically cheesy photo holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Although I usually record the iconic places I’ve visited with jumping shots , there’s only one pose that’s appropriate for the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy’s most famous landmarks and I needed to see it for myself—not only for the cheesy photo, but because the tower stands as a testament to the architectural and engineering achievements of the medieval era.

The Piazza del Duomo in Pisa is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I make a point of visiting these notable cultural, natural, and historical landmarks where ever I go.

Since my friends and I had just hiked Cinque Terre , and were taking the train to Florence , it made sense to spend a few hours in Pisa, since you stop there anyway. Pisa just begs Florence-bound travelers to pop into town for a little exploration and a few quick shots in front of this iconic Italian building.

Here’s what you need to know about visiting Pisa on a stopover or a day trip.

Table of Contents

Why Does the Leaning Tower of Pisa Lean?

Before visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa either solo or on a tour, it’s worth knowing a quick rundown on its history.

Construction on the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in 1173 and continued for just shy of 200 years before it was completed in 1372. Contrary to popular belief, the tower did not start leaning due to an earthquake or shifting earth.

Rather, the tower began to tilt during construction because the soft ground on one side of the site could not support the weight of the tower’s foundation. As soon as the builders started constructing the second story, the tower began to sink and tilt.

Over the centuries, attempts were made to correct the lean. The builders tried to compensate by making the columns on the lower side of the tower taller, but this only made the problem worse. In later centuries, engineers replaced many of the lower columns with stronger materials to withstand the weight of the tower. However, the lean persisted.

In 2001, a team of engineers worked to reduce the tilt of the tower by removing soil from underneath the foundation on the high side of the lean. This effort was successful in reducing the tilt by a small amount, and the tower is now considered stable. The more intricate history detailed in TILT: A Skewed History of the Tower of Pisa is a fascinating source for additional information.

Getting to the Leaning Tower of Pisa

My friends and I hopped off the train in Pisa, and I am not sure why, but for some reason I expected the leaning tower to immediately within sight. Hot tip: The Leaning Tower of Pisa is not near the Pisa-Centrale station.

When we left the Pisa train station, my seeking gaze was disappointed. Call it poor planning on our parts, but we had neither a map nor directions on how to actually get to the Leaning Tower (and my first visit to Pisa was way back in the pre-smartphone days). Now, it’s a cinch to buy a SIM card when you land in Italy and then you have Google Maps ready to point you to the fastest bus route.

Without that though, and with noticeably few other tourists near the train station, it took a bit of figuring out. That’s because many travelers visit Pisa on a tour. But it’s not necessary—Pisa is an easy day trip from Florence. Or it’s a cinch to hop off the train for a few hours, visit the Leaning Tower, and then catch another train to your next stop. We were in Pisa for just a couple of hours for pictures of the tower, lunch, and then onward to Florence.

There is a great self-service luggage storage option at the Pisa-Centrale train station that didn’t exist when I first visited as a day trip. For that reason, my friends and I had our backpacks with us. With the sun beating down on us, it added a good bit of pressure for us to make quick work of sussing out directions to the Leaning Tower and get on our way.

At the time, we searched the bus timetable for directions, but the tower wasn’t directly listed. My cousin and I have a bit of Italian under our belts, and Jenn speaks Spanish, so we split up to question strangers on how to get to the tower.

Eventually, a really nice Italian guy took pity on me. We were having trouble communicating in our mangled Italian/English, so he grabbed my hand, walked me 500 feet around a corner, and deposited me at a bus stop with firm instructions on which bus to take.

I thanked him profusely with a mille grazie and hollered for Jenn and Helen to join me at the bus stop. After just two minutes, we boarded Bus 4 and it dropped us off on the doorstep of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

My cousin Helen had already visited the Tower, so she planned to spend the afternoon in a coffee shop catching up on work (like me, she works online ).

Jenn and I dropped our backpacks behind Helen’s chair in the coffee shop, and then headed into the Leaning Tower complex to explore and take photos on our own DIY tour of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This site is not huge, so it’s easy to explore in an hour or two.

DIY Self-Guided Tour of Pisa

If you’re visiting Pisa as a quick day stop en route to Florence or Rome, then you’ll need about two hours to just see the first stop, the three main sites in the Square of Miracles (the Baptistery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (which includes the tower), and the Camposanto. If you’re on a day trip or self-guided tour of Pisa, then this is what you can do with one day in Pisa.

Assuming you’ve started your day early—and you should—aim to arrive at the Leaning Tower by 9 am (the tour buses and crowds descend rapidly after 10 am).

Start at the Square of Miracles (Leaning Tower of Pisa)

To start, leave the Pisa-Centrale train station and make your way to the Leaning Tower of Pisa (walk 22 minutes, cab it, or take the bus). The tower is located in the Square of Miracles, which includes the Cathedral and most other notable attractions in Pisa. Assuming you’ve started your day early—and you should—aim to arrive at the Leaning Tower by 9am (the tour buses and crowds descend rapidly after 10am).

Everything gleams at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The church, the bell tower—it’s all limestone structures coated in white marble and it’s stunning.

Even more though, this imposing marble structure juts at a precarious angle from the ground. With the church nearby, and other tall, straight buildings showing stark contrast. The Tower seems better suited for a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum than an actual, standing monument that’s not going to tip over at any moment.

The bell tower (now bell-less to relieve weight from the structure) and the the spectacular cathedral are the highlights of visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

How to Get a Great Picture the Leaning Tower

If you have your heart set on a cheesy photo holding up (or knocking down) the tower, you should do this the moment you arrive—as the day progresses the lawns around the tower begin to heave with crowds. Alternatively, you could go at the end of the day.

If you’re traveling solo, or if you want your entire group in the shot, you’ll need to hang around until you see the right type of other traveler taking a picture in the lush green grass near the Leaning Tower and all of the landmarks in the Square of Miracles.

My friends and I scoped the area until we spotted two women in their late twenties chatting in English. The girl taking the picture was so committed to getting the shot right that she was kneeling on the ground even though she was wearing pristine white pants.

Now that is commitment I can respect! The photo she took of us looked great. We reciprocated and captured a great one of the two of them.

If you’re only in Pisa for a couple of hours, then end your day here and head back to the train station.

Climb the Leaning Tower

With a full day in Pisa, book a timed-entry ticket to climb the Tower. You’ll need to book tickets well in advance during the busy summer months. This is doubly true if you want one of the coveted early morning time slots, when there are fewer clouds, and the sun is at an advantageous angle for photos. The tower opens at 9 am.

While I didn’t didn’t pay to go up the tower, it’s a steep climb up 294 steps for those eager to head to the top. The climb can be tiring, but the views from the top are definitely worth it.

Once inside the tower, respect the rules. The Leaning Tower of Pisa does not allow large bags or backpacks up the tower, and you should avoid touching the walls or leaning over the edge.

Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Pisa, also known as the Duomo, is a stunning Romanesque-style cathedral located in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Built in the 11th century, it features beautiful marble façades, intricate carvings, and a striking bronze door.

Inside, visitors can admire the impressive nave, exquisite frescoes, and the impressive pulpit by Giovanni Pisano. The Cathedral is also home to some of the most important relics of Pisa, including the Holy Spine and the Lamp of Galileo.

Enjoy the Acoustics at the Baptistery

The Baptistery of Pisa is a circular religious building located in the Piazza dei Miracoli, adjacent to the Leaning Tower. Like the Duomo, it was constructed in the Romanesque style, in the 12th century. It features a unique blend of Roman and Islamic architecture, including a gorgeous marble façade and an impressive dome.

Head inside to admire beautiful mosaics and intricate frescoes, as well as the impressive pulpit by Nicola Pisano. The Baptistery is also known for its remarkable acoustics, making it a popular venue for concerts and other musical performances.

Head to the Campo Santo Monumentale

Built in the 13th century, the final stop in the Square of Miracles is renowned for its beautiful Gothic architecture, intricate frescoes, and impressive collection of Roman sarcophagi. The cemetery was originally created as a holy ground for soil brought back from the Holy Land, and over the centuries it became the final resting place for many prominent citizens of Pisa. Today, the Camposanto has a serene atmosphere and rich cultural heritage.

Other Top Things to See and Do in Pisa

Visit the keith haring “tuttomundo” mural ..

Located just three minutes from the train station, Tuttomondo is a vibrant and vast mural created by famous street artist Keith Haring . Painted in 1989, it portrays colorful figures, animals, and shapes that carry a message of unity and diversity. It was his last work and is a must-see for contemporary art lovers and symbolizes Pisa’s cultural significance.

Enjoy the River Arno .

Stroll along the riverbanks, admire the stunning views of the city and its landmarks, or take a boat tour of Pisa’s portion of the River Arno. The Lungarno promenade offers many bars and restaurants where visitors can relax, enjoy the local cuisine and watch the sunset over the river. Another option is to cross the famous Ponte di Mezzo bridge and explore the vibrant nightlife scene on the opposite side of the river.

Take in the Palazzo della Carovana .

Built in the 16th century, it’s another key example of Renaissance architecture and features intricate sculptures and beautiful frescoes. The palazzo is home to the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore, one of Italy’s leading universities, and you can explore its impressive courtyard and learn about the building’s fascinating history. The palazzo also houses the Museum of the Sinopie , which displays a collection of preparatory drawings for the frescoes in the Camposanto.

Walk the Corso Italia .

Starting at the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the Corso Italia is a pedestrian street located on the left bank of the River Arno. The street is lined with beautiful palaces, historic buildings, and charming cafes and restaurants, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural heritage. It’s also the place to visit if you’re shopping for anything from high-end designer clothes to local handicrafts.

Grab a Meal and a Gelato

No matter how long you’re spending in Pisa, you have time for gelato . And if you’ve made this as a stopover between Florence and Cinque Terre, plan on having lunch before you head back to the train station.

On my day trip popping into Pisa, we grabbed lunch and a gelato after our time at the Leaning Tower. There are ton of gelato places, and really your best bet is to check the Google ratings of a place near you when you’re ready for a cool, sweet treat.

Travel Tips for Visiting Pisa, Italy

How to Get to Pisa by Train

Book your tickets at least a day or two in advance in you’re tight on time and planning a stop over in Pisa between Cinque Terre and Florence. I did this in August 2022 and the trains were full . There were few seats left on the evening train into Florence when we booked one day in advance.

From Florence , your journey to Pisa will take roughly one hour, though some slower trains may tack 15 minutes onto the journey. To speed up your morning, plan to catch a train that stops closer to the Leaning Tower. Otherwise, know that you can find a train at least twice an hour heading in that direction.

• San Rossore is the closest train station to the Square of Miracles, which includes the Leaning Tower of Pisa—just a five minute walk—though it’s smaller and only three trains leave Florence in the morning directly bound for San Rossore in Pisa. Use Trenitalia to check the schedule.
• Pisa-Centrale is the main train station and it’s through here that most trains from Florence, Cinque Terre, and other locations will stop. It’s about 22 minutes walking from the Pisa Centrale train station to the Leaning Tower—you can also take a local bus, shuttle, or a quick €10 taxi ride.

From Cinque Terre , a train runs roughly every 30 minutes from La Spezia. If you’re staying in Monterosso al Mare or one of the other towns along Cinque Terre, it can take an hour just to get to La Spezia—plan enough time to switch trains and catch the train to Pisa. Your train will stop in Pisa-Centrale, hop off, spend a couple of hours enjoying the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles (leaving your luggage at the train station), then catch a train onward to Florence. These trains leave twice an hour, or so, and take an hour.

From Bologna , plan on two hours with a train change in Florence, and from Rome you’ll need four hours, a transfer in Florence and a plan on where to sleep that day (consider Hotel Bologna in Pisa )—it’s not day trip distance to return to Rome that night.

How Much Time is Enough for Pisa?

You’ll need roughly two hours to explore the cathedral and monuments. Add another 30-45 minutes if you have a ticket to climb up the Leaning Tower. Besides the Leaning Tower, you can see a lot of Pisa on a one-day day trip. That said, there’s enough to fill up to three days if you’re keen to use it as a base to explore Tuscany.

Which Ticket to Buy at the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

If you’re popping over to the Leaning Tower for just a couple of hours, you likely should skip climbing the tower. Instead, as of 2023 prices, pay either €7 or €10 to visit the Cathedral and one or more of the other sites in the Square of Miracles.

If you’re in Pisa for the day and keen to get the most out of your visit, €20 allows you to visit the Cathedral and climb the tower, while €27 gives you a complete visit—the whole enchilada of sites in the Square of Miracles, including climbing the tower.

Check the latest prices on the official site .

Is the Leaning Tower of Pisa worth it?

Yes, just do it! It’s not a hard day trip from Florence, and even though the iconic shots are cheesy, it’s also just a beautiful square with a lot of history. The magnitude of the Duomo is also stunning. Plus, it’s straight-up trippy to see just how much the tower leans while still standing for centuries.

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7 thoughts on “A Little Day Trip… A Visit to Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa”

When we visited the leaning tower of Pisa we scheduled CLIMBING the tower with the tour we were on with the cruise line. Those BIG bells are still up there at the top.

P. S. The leaning has now been stabilized for supposedly for the next 200 years.

“some people just don’t seem to understand that when you ask for a shot of you in front of a major monument…you kind of want the monument!” – So damn true!

You are so lucky! What amazing pictures.

I am going to Pisa for a week’s holiday in August and stumbled across your site here and it made me laugh so much. I now can’t wait to go and hopefully I’ll be doing the same cheesy pictures that you have done here.

Thanks for stopping in – enjoy your own trip in August and definitely take the cheesy pictures. The one we wished we had thought of taking was one of us pushing it over and the other holding it up! Just a thought :-)

In reference to your Stats page: I had Olive Garden Cheese Ravioli with Alfredo Sauce 2 days ago. Let me tell you, it was delicious! :)

…a little mean, I know. But I couldn’t resist :)

That is unkind Margie. Unkind. And I would have thought better of a primary school teacher. :-P

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10 Tips For Visiting The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

A gravity-defying Italian tourist mecca, the Leaning Tower of Pisa offers a look at classic medieval Romanesque architecture. A day trip from Florence, the Pisa complex is more than just its leaning bell tower. There is a stunning cathedral, an acoustically intriguing baptistery, and a sculpture-filled cemetery.

Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa is more than just a propping-up-the-building photo opportunity, it is a peak into the deeply rooted Italian Catholic beliefs. It is an opportunity to enjoy masterful craftsmanship while poking a little fun at the sinking building.

1. Best Time To Visit

As with any sought-after tourist destination, visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa early in the day will help alleviate some of the crowd conditions.

Seasonally, the height of tourist season is July and August. If you visit during the shoulder seasons, you will find fewer crowds. April to early June can be cool and the crowds are minimal. From September–November, the weather is unpredictable but there are fewer visitors than the summer months.

2. Tickets And Hours

Visiting hours vary from season to season and sometimes month to month. It is best to check the Tower of Pisa ticket office for current hours of operation. The fee to climb the tower is about $20. Reservations are advised and you can book your tickets online .

Pro Tip: Children under 8 years old are not allowed to climb up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Children between 8 and 18 years old are required to climb with an adult.

3. Tower Of Pisa Guided Tour

There are lots of wonderful guided tour options that will have you skipping the lines and enjoying your day filled with history and leaning-tower adventures. Try this highly ranked, small group tour with tickets included to make the most of your visit.

Guided tours can be a little pricey, however, they will also save you time navigating the ins and outs of Pisa. A tour should hit all the highlights and guide you around the complex efficiently, offering historical insight you might otherwise miss.

Pro Tip: Choose your guide carefully. Have your travel agent book a tour or select one with an excellent rating.

4. Climbing The Tower Of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has 251 steps to reach the top of the bell tower. The original height was planned at 60 meters (196.85 feet), but it is actually much lower now. At last measurement, the highest side was 56.67 meters (185.93 feet) and the lowest side was 55.86 meters (183.27 feet).

The dizzying climb takes about 30 minutes to ascend the tight spiral staircase.

5. The Pisa Duomo

The Piazza del Mircaoli , “the Square of Miracles,” is made up of the Tower of Pisa, Il Duomo (the cathedral), the baptistery, and the cemetery.

The centerpiece of the medieval complex is the cathedral. It was founded in 1064 and consecrated in 1118, an architectural masterpiece for its time. Stunningly decorated and adorned with statues, mosaics, paintings, and other artistic masterpieces, it will take your breath away. There are many beautiful churches in Italy and Pisa’s cathedral ranks high on the list.

Pro Tip: To enter the cathedral, shoulders and knees should be covered. Visitors wearing short skirts, shorts, or bare shoulders may be turned away. Dress appropriately and carry a shawl or scarf to cover your shoulders if you want to enter Il Duomo and the baptistery.

6. Baptistery Of San Giovanni

The Battistero , or Baptistery of San Giovanni, was grandly designed to reflect the size and importance of its cathedral. The baptistery was constructed with a double dome giving it exceptional acoustic tones. If you time it correctly, you will encounter one of the staff members singing and you can enjoy the reverberating music enhanced by this architectural marvel.

7. The Cemetery At Pisa

The Camposanto at Pisa is a stunning monument to life and death. Exquisite statuary depicts tableaus of heavenly scenes rich with detail.

According to towerofpisa.org , “The foundation of the cemetery, Camposanto, is made up of 53 shiploads of earth that were brought back from the Hill of Calvary in Jerusalem.” The amount of manpower and horsepower it took to accomplish this feat is mind-boggling.

8. View From The Top Of The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

The view from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa on a clear day is lovely. It is almost 57 meters or 186 feet tall. That translates to about 15 stories high to give you an idea of the view.

Pro Tip: Climbing to the top of the tower is really more about the climb than the view. It is a bucket-list item for many travelers.

9. Strike A Pose With The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

One of the best IG moments at Pisa is striking a pose holding up the tower. The best way to accomplish a perfect shot is to arrive early; beating the crowds means a better opportunity to get a perfect shot.

Plan your poses ahead of time and choose the best photographer in your group to be in charge of staging the photo. Are you going to hold it up? With your hand? Foot? Back? Other fun shots include a ninja kick knocking the tower down, hugging the tower, and having the tower immerge from your unzipped backpack.

Have fun, be silly, and strike a Pisa pose.

10. How To Get To Pisa

Pisa is about 1.5 hours from Florence which can be a time commitment when you are on a short vacation. There are several good options to get you out to Pisa.

Guided tours that offer hotel pick up and drop off are the simplest ways to travel and also the most expensive.

The train is more budget-friendly, however, the complex is still about 20 minutes away after you disembark. From the Pisa train station, you can take a taxi (no rideshares available), a shuttle, a bus, a local train, or walk.

Pro Tip: The walking path that brings you to the Tower of Pisa is lined with pop-up souvenir vendors. Also, be aware of pick-pockets. Whenever there is a large crowd, you may encounter nimble-fingered wallet lifters.

Related Reading:

• 9 Tips For Hiking The Famous Path Of The Gods
• 5 Incredible Off-The-Beaten-Path Destinations To Visit In Tuscany
• I’ve Lived In Italy For 15 Years, These Are My 6 Favorite Wine Regions

This article originally appeared on TravelAwaits

Opera del Duomo Museum

Sinopie museum.

• Before buying
• Reduced Prices and Free Tickets
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• CONFERENCES
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ONLINE PURCHASE the best way to book THE MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS ARE OPEN EVERY DAY

Gabriele D’Annunzio effectively condenses the wonder and admiration that catch whoever visits the Duomo Square of Pisa.

The Opera della Primaziale Pisana (O₽A) is a non-profit organisation which was established in order to oversee the first works for the construction of the monuments in the Piazza del Duomo, subject to its own charter which includes the protection, promotion and enhancement of its heritage, in order to pass the religious and artistic meaning onto future generations.

«L’Ardea roteò nel cielo di Cristo, sul prato dei Miracoli.» Gabriele d’Annunzio in  Forse che sì forse che no  (1910)

Discover the details of each monument

THE MONUMENTS

The square of the Cathedral of Pisa represents the best example of the Pisa Romanesque style through its magnificence and perfection, a harmonious fusion of classical, early Christian, Lombard and eastern motifs. The buildings maintain a stylish unity. The Cathedral , the Tower , the Baptistery and the Camposanto represent together the allegory of human life. The Sinopie Museum hosts the big preparatory drawings recovered beneath the frescoes decorating the Camposanto and the Opera del Duomo Museum shows the development of Pisa art and the great Middle Ages sculpture with a new and evocative museum path.

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- Tickets can be purchased in advance until the day of visit -

BAPTISTERY, THE MATRONEUM CAN BE FULLY VISITED AGAIN

On December 2, the Baptistery reopens to visitors. It was closed for 2 months. After the restoration of the dome, the restoration of the matroneum has finally been completed and can be fully visited again. Very often the conclusion of one restoration site means the beginning of another. Also in this case the scaffolding has […]