By Blaise Jaeger · Updated October 14, 2026

Pisa is a city in Tuscany, in central Italy, about 80 km west of Florence and a few kilometres from the sea. It is world famous for its Leaning Tower, which stands with the cathedral, the baptistery and the monumental cemetery on the Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. But Pisa is also a lively university town on the Arno river, easy to reach by train and a natural stop between Florence and the Cinque Terre.

I stopped in Pisa for one evening and one night in June 2025 with my friend Roy, between Florence and the Cinque Terre. This guide tells you how we did it: the train from Florence, the climb of the tower at sunset, the cathedral and the Camposanto, where we slept, and what to know before you go.

Where Is Pisa?

• Region: Tuscany, in central Italy, in the province of Pisa.
• Distance: about 80 km west of Florence, 1 hour by regional train, and around 10 km from the Tyrrhenian coast.
• Airport: Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei), one of the main airports of Tuscany, linked to Pisa Centrale station by the PisaMover shuttle in about 5 minutes.
• Main sight: the Leaning Tower, on the Piazza dei Miracoli (also called Piazza del Duomo), in the north-west of the historic centre.
• River: the Arno, which also crosses Florence, runs through the centre of Pisa.
• How long: half a day for the Piazza dei Miracoli, one night if you want to climb the tower at sunset and see the old town without the crowds.

My Evening and Night in Pisa

Roy and I took the regional train from Florence Santa Maria Novella at 5:28 PM on Sunday, June 1, 2025, and arrived at Pisa Centrale an hour later. With our suitcases, we took the bus from the station to the Piazza dei Miracoli, and we were standing in front of the Leaning Tower before 7:00 PM.

We had booked our tower tickets in advance, for an evening time slot. Before the climb, we had time for the classic photo where you pretend to hold up the tower, a visit to the cathedral and a walk under the arcades of the Camposanto. Around 8:00 PM, we climbed the tower and reached the top with the sun already low over the cathedral dome.

We slept at the Helvetia Pisa Tower, a simple hotel right next to the tower. The next morning, we walked across the Piazza dei Miracoli once more while it was still quiet, then went back to Pisa Centrale for the 8:50 AM Frecciargento train to La Spezia, the gateway to the Cinque Terre.

Things to See on the Piazza dei Miracoli

The Leaning Tower

The Leaning Tower is the bell tower of the cathedral. Its construction began in 1173, and it started to lean a few years later, when the soft ground gave way under the third floor. Work stopped and resumed several times, and the tower was only completed in the 14th century. It is about 56 metres high, and engineering work between the 1990s and 2001 reduced its tilt to just under 4 degrees, which secured it for centuries.

Climbing it is a strange experience: you feel the slope on the worn marble steps of the spiral staircase, 251 steps in all, before reaching the bells and the panoramic terrace at the top.

Pisa Cathedral

The cathedral, begun in 1064, is the masterpiece of Pisan Romanesque architecture, with its striped marble, its tiers of arcades and its gilded coffered ceiling. Inside, look for the pulpit carved by Giovanni Pisano and the bronze lamp linked to the legend of the young Galileo, who was born in Pisa. Entry to the cathedral is included with the tower ticket.

The Baptistery

Facing the cathedral, the round Baptistery, begun in 1152, is the largest in Italy. It is famous for its acoustics: at regular intervals, a guard sings a few notes that echo for a long time under the dome.

The Camposanto

The Camposanto Monumentale, the monumental cemetery, closes the north side of the square. Its long marble galleries, built around a lawn, were once covered with frescoes, partly destroyed by a fire during the Second World War and still being restored. It is the quietest place on the square.

Climbing the Leaning Tower: Tickets and Tips

• Book in advance: visits are by time slot and the number of people at the top is limited. Book on the official Opera della Primaziale Pisana website, especially in summer and for the sunset slots. We had booked ours in advance.
• Price: €20 on the official website, cathedral included. Combined tickets also give access to the Baptistery, the Camposanto and the museums.
• Bags: bags and backpacks are not allowed on the tower. Leave them at the free cloakroom next to the ticket office, and come a few minutes early.
• Children: under 8 cannot climb, and children over 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Best time: the evening. In summer the tower stays open after sunset, the light is golden on the white marble, and the day-trippers have left. Check the opening hours of your date on the official website.
• Shoes: wear shoes with a good grip; the marble steps are polished by centuries of visitors.

Beyond the Tower: Pisa Old Town

Most visitors only see the Piazza dei Miracoli, but the historic centre of Pisa deserves a walk if you have a few more hours. From the square, Via Santa Maria leads south towards the Arno. On the way, Piazza dei Cavalieri, with its decorated Renaissance palace, is home to the Scuola Normale, one of the most prestigious universities in Italy. Borgo Stretto, with its arcades and cafés, is the main shopping street, and the riverside walks along the Arno, the Lungarni, are beautiful at sunset. On the south bank, the small Gothic church of Santa Maria della Spina sits right on the river.

With only one evening, we stayed around the Piazza dei Miracoli. If you have a full day, combine the square in the morning or the evening with a walk through the old town in between.

How to Get to Pisa

From Florence by train

Regional trains run frequently between Florence Santa Maria Novella and Pisa Centrale, in about 1 hour. Our tickets cost €9.30 per person. Pisa is an easy day trip from Florence, but we preferred to sleep there to climb the tower in the evening. Train times and prices can be compared on 12Go.

From the airport

From Pisa International Airport, the PisaMover shuttle reaches Pisa Centrale station in about 5 minutes. Many travellers fly into Pisa and start their tour of Tuscany from there.

From the station to the Leaning Tower

The tower is about 2 km from Pisa Centrale: a 25 to 30-minute walk along Corso Italia and across the Arno, or a few minutes by the LAM Rossa bus to the Piazza Manin stop, right next to the square. With our suitcases, we took the bus.

From Pisa to the Cinque Terre

Trains run from Pisa Centrale to La Spezia in about 1 hour; from there, local trains serve the five villages of the Cinque Terre. We took the 8:50 AM Frecciargento and were in La Spezia at 9:37 AM.

Where to Stay in Pisa

If you want to see the tower at night and early in the morning, sleep near the Piazza dei Miracoli. We stayed at the Helvetia Pisa Tower, a simple hotel a few steps from the tower, which was perfect for one night. The area around the station is the most practical if you arrive late or leave early by train, and the old town around Borgo Stretto and the Arno is the liveliest in the evening.

See all the hotels in Pisa.

Practical Tips for Visiting Pisa

• When to go: spring and autumn are the most pleasant; in summer, the square is crowded in the middle of the day, so come early or late.
• Dress code: cover your shoulders and knees to enter the cathedral and the Baptistery.
• Souvenir sellers: the square is lined with stalls and street sellers; keep an eye on your belongings in the crowd.
• The photo: everyone takes the photo holding up the tower. The best spots are on the lawn between the cathedral and the tower; be patient and take turns.
• Time needed: 2 to 3 hours for the square with the tower climb, a full day if you add the old town.

Read More

• Italy travel guide: my trips and itineraries in Italy.
• Florence itinerary: the city where our Tuscan trip started.
• Cinque Terre: our next stop, the day after Pisa.
• Rome travel guide.

Pisa FAQ

Is Pisa in Tuscany?

Yes. Pisa is in Tuscany, in central Italy, about 80 km west of Florence.

Is Pisa worth visiting?

Yes, at least for half a day. The Piazza dei Miracoli is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, and the view from the top of the Leaning Tower at sunset is superb. With one night, you can also enjoy the square without the crowds.

How long do you need in Pisa?

Half a day is enough for the Piazza dei Miracoli and the tower climb. One night lets you climb the tower in the evening and see the old town.

Can you climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Yes, with a timed ticket. There are 251 steps to the top, and children under 8 are not allowed to climb.

How much does it cost to climb the Leaning Tower?

€20 on the official website of the Opera della Primaziale Pisana, with entry to the cathedral included.

How do you get from Florence to Pisa?

By regional train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale, in about 1 hour. We paid €9.30 per person.

Is the Leaning Tower far from Pisa train station?

It is about 2 km away: 25 to 30 minutes on foot, or a few minutes by the LAM Rossa bus.

Why does the Tower of Pisa lean?

Because it was built on soft, unstable ground. It started to lean during construction, in the 12th century, and works completed in 2001 reduced the tilt to just under 4 degrees.