Things to do in Pisa

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic building in Italy, located in the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. It is a freestanding bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral and, together with the adjacent cathedral, baptistery, and cemetery, forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower has a cylindrical appearance and is constructed of white marble. Its structure leans toward the southeast at an angle of approx. 4 degrees. Construction of the leaning tower began in 1173, though the foundation bears a Latin inscription marking the start year as 1174, because the calendar used in Pisa at the time was one year ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Construction was halted multiple times due to uneven foundations and soft soil layers, and it was not declared complete until the bell chamber was finished in 1372, spanning nearly two hundred years. The tower has eight levels in total: the base level features a blind arcade, while the remaining levels are surrounded by open arcades, with more than two hundred arches in total. The base wall is carved with reliefs, and the top level is a belfry housing seven bells. Climbing the tower is the core experience of visiting the Leaning Tower. The spiral staircase inside has nearly three hundred steps, and as you ascend the narrow stairs, the tower's tilt creates a subtle illusion of being on a ship. Upon reaching the top, the view suddenly opens up, allowing you to overlook the entire Piazza dei Miracoli and the city of Pisa. The interior of the tower is hollow, and through the glass on the top floor, you can see directly down to the bottom. Some steps are quite smooth, so visitors need to watch their footing when climbing. On the square, visitors are often seen stretching out their arms and striking various creative poses for photos with the Leaning Tower, which has become a unique travel memory exclusive to Pisa.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Piazza del Duomo

The Miracle Square is the top priority of visiting Pisa. The four major buildings on the square - the Cathedral of Pisa, the Baptistery, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the cemetery are all artistic masterpieces in the history of architecture. The square was one of the centers of the essence of medieval art and had a profound influence on subsequent architectural design, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. The square takes its name from a description in a novel by the Italian writer and poet Gabriel D'Annunzio. The Pisa Cathedral in the center of the Pisa Cathedral Square was built in the 12th century AD and is a masterpiece of medieval Romanesque architecture. The mosaic decoration inside the church is mixed with Byzantine style, forming its unique "Pisa Romanesque style". Opposite the Baptistery of Pisa Cathedral is the Baptistery, which mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles. You can visit the middle of the Baptistery along the spiral staircase inside the Baptistery. The cylindrical structure, double dome and white marble make the interior of the baptistery even more beautiful. Leaning Tower of Pisa Behind the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the well-known Leaning Tower of Pisa, which itself is the bell tower of the cathedral. In the early stage of construction, the leaning tower tilted an average of 1 mm per year, and the work was stopped for a while, and the repair work has continued to this day. The rectangular building next to the Pisa Cemetery Church is the Pisa Cemetery. The tombstones, sculptures and frescoes on the cloister are also worth seeing. In addition, there is a tourist rest area on the large lawn of Miracle Square, where you can take various photos with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, buy souvenirs and snacks.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Pisa Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady of Pisa is located in the Miracle Square in Pisa, Tuscany, central Italy. The whole church has a strange architectural style and a very good environment. It is worth visiting.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Pisa

The Baptistery of San Giovanni

It is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic style, with a huge dome 35 meters in diameter and four intricately carved gates, but it gives a unique impression from the outside. The interior has very good lighting and sound effects, and it is also worth checking out.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Pisa

Camposanto

Camposanto, officially known as the Camposanto Monumentale, is located in the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, Italy, and is a historic attraction with rich cultural value. Camposanto is famous for its unique architectural style and rich art collection. The cemetery building is rectangular, surrounded by elegant cloisters, and decorated with exquisite frescoes and sculptures, showcasing the essence of medieval Italian art. Visitors can admire the fresco "The Triumph of Death" inside Camposanto, a work that vividly depicts the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. In addition, the cemetery also houses many ancient Roman sarcophagi and sculptures, offering a wealth of exhibits for history enthusiasts. Camposanto offers a tranquil environment, perfect for visitors to stroll through and experience the weight of history and the charm of art. Since the cemetery is located near the Leaning Tower of Pisa, visitors can easily combine it with other attractions for a fulfilling cultural tour.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Pisa

Piazza dei Cavalieri

Piazza dei Cavalieri is located in the center of Pisa. It is a small square surrounded by low-rise buildings, but it boasts a rich academic atmosphere, as one side features the beautiful building of the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, while the other houses the University of Pisa's law school, humanities faculty, and canteen. A visit here is truly delightful.

Natural Park Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli

The Migliarino San Rossol Massaciuccoli Natural Park is a mosaic of natural environments, including sand dunes, vast green pine forests, swamps, dense forests and fragrant Mediterranean scrub, all in pristine condition. The protected area stretches along a wide stretch of coastline between Pisa, Viareggio, San Giuliano Terme, Vicchiano, Massarosa and Livorno. Since 2004, the area has been part of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve of the Tuscan Coast Forests. The park has three thousand hectares of marshes and wetlands, surrounded by a unique vegetation, while a third of the park is covered by forests of poplars, holly oaks and pines. The marshes, called "lame" in the dialect, appear almost out of thin air and are home to wetland birds such as white ibis and herons, while fallow deer often appear in the forests.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Lucca

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Athletic Square is located on the south side of the northeast section of Filengo Street. It used to be an oval arena in ancient Rome. Later, the arena slowly fell down and was later demolished. The architect re-planned the site, thus forming a Such an oval square today. Now when you come to the square, you will see that the previous houses have become residential houses, souvenir shops, coffee shops and bars, which are very interesting.

Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa

Palazzo Blu