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Latest update: 18 April 2025
After only 20 attempts I’ve got it: my ultimate leaning Tower of Pisa photo – well, almost. Let’s get you one too, and then climb the Leaning Tower and see what more there is to do in the city. Check the tips.
A few hours to explore Pisa
Pisa in Italy. It is one of those cities that you “tick off” when in Tuscany. Climbing the Tower of Pisa? Check, what’s next? I also visit Pisa that way. I arrive in Pisa early in the morning, and I’m already gone before lunch. I have to see Lucca today. Holidaying is hard work. 😉 So let’s quickly find out what else you can do in Pisa.
Tip 1: Admire the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa
Admire the Square of Miracles: Piazza dei Miracoli. The square is also known as the Piazza del Duomo. Here, you find the cathedral, the baptistery, the monumental cemetery, and the Tower of Pisa. Well-maintained, fenced lawns surround the buildings in the Piazza. That fence is very welcome because it allows you to take a decent picture of all those historic buildings without getting frustrated with the crowd.
Going early in the morning really pays off. The square is the most popular part of Pisa and everyone wants to get a glimpse of the Tower of Pisa. That means not only a large number of tourists but also numerous street vendors and stalls.
Coffee tip! Drink your coffee like the Italians do: leaning on the bar at Bar Tiziano. It’s right around the corner from the Leaning Tower of Pisa – and nice and cheap. Google Maps location
Tip 2: Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa was originally constructed as the bell tower of the nearby cathedral. It took 200 years to build the tower. Over the years, the tower became increasingly crooked – hence the name Leaning Tower of Pisa. In the 90s, the Italians stabilized the Tower of Pisa.
In the Piazza dei Miracoli, you have the best view of the Tower of Pisa and you can also photograph it most beautifully. Many people try to do this as creatively as possible by pretending to push it over or capture it like an ice cream. At a stall, I pay a euro for an empty cone and then make several brave attempts.
If you want, you can also climb the Leaning Tower. For this, you need to purchase a ticket for €18 (price as of 2020) and select the time you would like to climb the Leaning Tower. There is limited space, so everything is arranged very strictly. Be careful, you can’t bring your bag inside. You must hand it over (free of charge) at the box office located next to the Opera della Primaziale Pisana. Do this well before it is your turn to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa – if you’re late, they will deny you entrance.
Once in the tower, I realize how much the Tower of Pisa actually leans. Due to the intensive use, the marble stairs are hollow and smooth. If you have difficulty walking, climbing the Leaning Tower is not advisable. Even with a fear of heights, it may not be the smartest move. I, for one, suffer from it quite a bit during the climb, but even more so when I’m on top of the Leaning Tower. I cling to the wall and hardly dare to stand. The view of the huge duomo is fantastic though. Perhaps even more impressive than the tower itself, but I find it terrifying to be up here.
How high is the Tower of Pisa?
The Tower of Pisa is 56 meters high.
Where can I buy tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Buy your tickets online in advance. You can also buy a ticket on arrival at the office, just behind the Leaning Tower. But if you want to climb the tower, it’s better to book a ticket and time slot in advance. You could also buy a combination ticket to combine climbing the Leaning Tower with one or more other sights.
What is the address of the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
The Tower of Pisa’s address is Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI. This is the Google Maps location.
What are the opening hours of the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Typically, the Tower of Pisa, like the surrounding buildings, is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. But there are always exceptions! Please check the opening hours here.
Tip 3: Visit the huge duomo, for free!
The cathedral in Piazza dei Miracoli is the only building in the square that is free to visit. You can enter from 10 am. This duomo is impressive in both size and appearance – the marble is truly gorgeous. The interior of the Duomo Santa Maria Assunta is primarily composed of white and black marble. On the outside, it has mostly white marble. For the best view of the duomo of Pisa, the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is where you need to be. So make sure you climb it!
Tip 4: Marvel at the baptistry (Battistero)
The baptistery is round on the outside, but inside I discover hexagon shapes. It is the largest baptistery in Italy, and you can go anywhere you like once inside. Through the small windows, you can gaze at the enormous duomo next door.
You pay a fee to visit the Baptistery, Battistero, just like you do for the other monuments. Only the duomo is free. One monument costs € 7, if you visit them all it’s only € 10 in total. Buy your tickets online.
Tip 5: Stroll through the Camposanto in Pisa
The Camposanto is the monumental cemetery in the Piazza dei Miracoli. It is a very serene place to stroll around. It is an open-air gallery with long, wide corridors. About 600 grave plates are incorporated in the floor. Paintings and frescoes adorn the walls, and numerous statues are on display for admiration. You can also see how the bombings of World War II severely damaged the Camposanto and how it was restored.
You must pay an entrance fee to enter the Camposanto. You can do this at the ticket office or online in advance.
If the weather allows, you can walk on the city wall of Pisa for €5. The walk is 3 km long. Alternatively, save a few euros by buying your ticket in advance.
Tip 6: Surround yourself with palaces in the Piazza dei Cavalieri
Around the corner from the Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli is the Piazza dei Cavalieri. There is not just one palace on this square – there are several. You are now in the heart of the medieval city. The most striking palace is the Palazzo della Carovana. The palace has a long, slightly curved structure. Nowadays, this is the main building of the University of Pisa.
Tip 7: Church on the water: Chiesa di Santa Maria Della Spina
The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina church, what a mouthful, has a stunning location next to the River Arno. The small church features a variety of towers, gables, and niches. The church’s name is thanks to the crown of thorns of Jesus that was kept here – a thorn is spina in Italian. Visiting this church is a quick and easy thing you can do in Pisa. And it’s cute, so it’s worth a few minutes of your time.
Tip 8: Walk along the Arno river
The Arno flows through Pisa. It’s the longest river in Tuscany, measuring approximately 241 kilometers. Impressive buildings frame this wide river. There are huge villas and palaces to marvel at.
Get even more out of your visit to Pisa – other things to do
Do you have some more time? Then there are other fun things to do in Pisa:
- Take a bike tour in Pisa with Baja Bikes.
- Prefer walking? Then do a walking tour in Pisa.
- Check out Keith Haring’s famous Tuttomondo mural in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Go shopping on the Corsa Italia, the main street of the shopping area
- Visit the botanical garden
- Admire fortress Cittadella Vecchia
- Try one of Get Your Guide’s options
How to get to Pisa?
Pisa is easily accessible by train and car. Pisa’s train station is about a 25-minute walk from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. On the way, you immediately pass the mural of Keith Haring and then cross the Arno river. Find train and bus tickets at Omio or bus tickets for longer distances on Busbud.com.
Parking isn’t expensive in Pisa. At this parking lot, I paid € 2 per hour. An excellent price for a parking space so close to all the sights of Pisa. Speaking of parking and cars, are you still looking for a rental car? I recommend renting all-inclusive via DiscoverCars.
You can also fly to Pisa. Check the flight options on Skyscanner or Trip.
More travel inspiration for Italy
Useful links for your Italy trip
- Accommodation. Have a look at Booking.com and Campspace. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. Another option is WithLocals. For ‘free’ walking tours, check out Freetour and GuruWalk, and for bike tours, try Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Always compare prices and insurance coverage. DiscoverCars and Rentalcars.com often have good deals.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Amazon.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Trains and buses. Book busses and trains in Italy with Omio or Busbud.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? There are plenty of choices. Start at Expedia or CheapOair.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Definitely check out Skyscanner and Kiwi.
- Yoga retreat. Or try a yoga retreat in Italy.
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First published: June 2020. Updated since!
