Too often, Pisa is considered a side hustle and mainly included in classic itineraries by big tour companies for the only pic stop at the Leaning Tower. But Pisa is so much more than that.
The place where the Leaning Tower is was dubbed by Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio “Piazza dei Miracoli”, “Miracle Square”, for its beauty and for the enormous concentration of historical buildings next to each other.
Here is a quick and by no means exhaustive list of places I would suggest my clients visit in Pisa before leaving the beautiful Tuscany region.
A few places to visit in Pisa in one day
Il Duomo di Pisa
A stunning building both outside and inside, the cathedral is one of the first things you should plan to visit in Pisa. An example of Roman-Gothic architectural style, the church was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and it’s one of the main sites in the famous Piazza dei Miracoli.
Admission is free of charge and we haven’t even found a very long queue so you have no excuses. Inside, it’s impressive; you won’t regret making time for it. Although you won’t pay for the entrance, you will still need a ticket that you can collect at the ticket office when you purchase tickets for the other attractions.
Il Battistero di San Giovanni
Considered the largest historic baptistery in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, the Baptistery of St. John will amaze you with its outside structure and won’t disappoint you inside either. It doesn’t take long to visit so we totally recommend you include it in your one-day Pisa itinerary.
Torre Pendente
The Leaning Tower is the city’s most famous attraction and the main landmark of the Campo dei Miracoli complex so impossible to miss even if you are in Pisa for a short time. Located right close to the Duomo, it was used as the cathedral’s bell tower.
Its leaning construction is what makes it so popular and a favorite subject for the most different and bizarre pictures. Since you only have one day in Pisa, you might want to see the tower from outside only and prefer entering the cathedral and the baptistery. However, if you wish to climb it, our suggestion is to book your skip-the-line ticket online to make things much faster.
Campo Santo
This is also an attraction within the Campo dei Miracoli complex, and if you plan your one-day Pisa tour properly, you can totally include it. The large grass-covered land is said to have been brought from Palestine during the Second Crusade.
You can add the ticket to Pisa’s monumental cemetery when you buy the entrance to the other landmarks of the piazza.
Orto Botanico
This is a bit of a stretch if you are only one day in Pisa, but if you do have some time and would like to spend it in nature, the local botanic garden is a great stop.
Founded in the 16th century, this is the first university botanic garden in the world. With a size of some 3 hectares, it houses species of plants and trees from the five continents, including plants from the African deserts, herbs from the Mediterranean basin, and even century-old trees.
Head to Piazza dei Cavalieri
The rearranging of this piazza was commissioned to Giorgio Vasari by Cosimo I De Medici in the 16th century. The political and administrative hub of the city in medieval times, this is one of the main landmarks to visit in Pisa. Easy to reach with a pleasant stroll from Campo dei Miracoli and close to several other historic sites, Piazza dei Cavalieri is a must.
Today, this important square is framed all around by important historical buildings like Palazzo della Canonica, Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici and Palazzo dell’Orologio, and churches like San Rocco and Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri.
Walk along Borgo Stretto
Borgo Stretto, the Italian for “narrow quarter”, is a medieval narrow road lined with shops, workshops and arcades that give the area a yesteryear atmosphere.
Starting from Piazza Garibaldi, it ends in Via Oberdan where Borgo Largo (large quarter) starts. Its shops and also the central position make it one of the favorite roads by the locals for shopping or taking a walk.
Santa Maria della Spina church
If you still have some time left in Pisa, try to include a quick visit to the Gothic-style church of Santa Maria della Spina, the Italian for Holy Mary of the Thorn, named after the relic preserved inside a thorn of the crown worn by Christ when he was crucified.
The church is pretty small so your visit would be very quick. Perfect if you are staying in Pisa also for the night or even if you are going to the station to catch the train and are done with your original plan earlier than expected.
See the Lungarno Mediceo
Among the things to do in Pisa, walking along the Lungarni (the roads along the Arno river) deserves a place on your list. Historically, one of the most important is the Lungarno Mediceo because of the presence of the palace of the Medici family where even Lorenzo Il Magnifico has lived, and of the church of San Matteo. If you have the time to visit even only one Lungarno, it probably should be this one.
See the other leaning tower in Chiesa di San Nicola
Did you know Pisa had another leaning tower? I didn’t think so! Well, take the Lungarno Pacinotti and head to San Nicola church: here you will see the other leaning tower of this fascinating Tuscan city. Even if you have to leave, one of the things to see in one day in Pisa is the bell tower of this church.
Do you need a custom itinerary for when you are in Italy? Check out my services!
Sharing is caring!