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Things to do in Pisa

Itineraries for Your Trip to Pisa

Pisa locals share their perfect days.
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2 Days in Pisa for First Timers

Curated by Rebecca WinkeItalophile and travel enthusiast who’s lived in and written about Italy for more than two decades.

Pisa is home to one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, as well as lesser known architectural masterpieces. With two days, here are a few ways you can experience the grandeur and grace of Pisa, as well as coastal or countryside destinations beyond the city limits.


Day 1: Morning

Begin not with Pisa’s blockbuster Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli) and Leaning Tower—crowded with visitors in the morning hours—but with its historic center. Join a walking, Segway, or bike tour that visits gems like the Knight’s Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri) and Church of Santa Maria della Spina.

Day 1: Afternoon

No visit to Pisa is complete without a deep dive into its cathedral complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Duomo, Leaning Tower, baptistery, museum, and cemetery. Visit as part of a tour that includes time-saving, skip-the-line entry and a guide to put this work of Gothic architecture into historic context.

Day 1: Night

Now that you’ve seen Pisa’s cultural treasures, sample its culinary ones. Taste Tuscan street food classics like cecina and porchetta with a food and wine tour of the historic center. Or, get hands-on by opting for a cooking class that includes a practical lesson and informal meal. 

Day 2: Morning

Pisa is well-positioned for striking out toward the coast or countryside. Popular day trips include excursions to the colorful Cinque Terre fishing villages on the coastline of neighboring Liguria, the medieval hill towns of Siena and San Gimignano, or even the bustling Tuscan capital city of Florence.

Day 2: Afternoon

Those who want to have a leisurely morning can opt for an afternoon jaunt. Half-day tours from Pisa generally concentrate on the surrounding Tuscan hills, with tastings in the area’s wineries or visits to less far-flung towns, such as Lucca to the north or Volterra to the south.

Day 2: Night

Enjoy your final evening in Pisa in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Settle in for dinner or a glass of wine at one of the al fresco restaurant tables around the perimeter of the square and savor the view by night when the Leaning Tower and Duomo are dramatically illuminated.

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