How to Spend One Day in Pisa

If you know anything about Pisa, the chances are that you know about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This small city in the Tuscany region of Italy is famed for the tower which is slightly off-tilt. While many visitors come to view the Leaning Tower of Pisa and then leave, there’s is actually so much more to this city and plenty to keep you entertained for one day in Pisa!

I’ve visited Pisa a couple of times now and on my most recent day in Pisa, I discovered parts of the city I hadn’t before. Beautiful streets, great food and, of course, we went back to see the tower!

If you’re wondering what to do in Pisa, Italy here is my top recommendations.

How to Visit Pisa: Getting There

Pisa is a popular city in Tuscany which means it’s pretty easy to get to. There are flights arriving internationally at Pisa’s airport, as well as trains from across the country.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

If you’re flying into Pisa you can rent a car from the airport.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

If you’re spending more time in Tuscany, you can get from Pisa to Florence, or Pisa to Rome and other cities by train too!

You can book trains online in advance by using TheTrainline.com which makes it super easy to plan your journey ahead of time!

The Trainline allows you to book Italian trains on their app which I found super handy! You can then just use an e-ticket on your phone too.

Travelling to Rome? Check out my things to do in Rome in 3 days itinerary!

Florence is just 1.5 hours drive or train from Pisa and so you can do a Florence day trip to Pisa pretty easily. A Rome to Pisa day trip is best done by train which takes under 3 hours – driving will take longer!

Getting around Pisa

Pisa is a pretty small city so it’s easy to get around it by foot. And honestly, probably quicker too since there are so many pedestrianised areas and narrow streets that can be intimidating to drive if you’re not used to it.

In addition, exploring Pisa on foot means you’ll discover interesting and picturesque side streets, bars, restaurants and cafes.

When is the Best Time to Visit Pisa?

The best time to visit Pizza is in spring or autumn. While summer is nice, it can get super hot and super busy! However, in autumn and spring, you’ll typically get fewer crowds and cooler temperatures too.

Pisa in One Day – 13 Things to do in Pisa, Italy

1 day in Pisa gives you plenty of time to explore the city and visit the best things to see in Pisa. Below I’ve included a Pisa itinerary with where we ate for lunch (and more importantly where we got ice cream!), as well as other places to visit in Pisa.

Use this as your Pisa one day itinerary, and let me know how it went.

1. Santa Maria Della Spina

There are numerous churches in Pisa and in pretty much any Italian city. One of the prettiest is Santa Maria Della Spina. My Mum and I stumbled across it while walking back to the car with our ice cream.

Santa Maria Della Spina is along the banks of the river Arno on the southern side. It’s tiny but beautiful and is said the be where one of the thorns from Jesus’ thorn crown once rested.

2. Baptisterium

Next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the Baptisterium (place of baptism). This beautiful building is 54m high and has stunningly intricate details.

You can both wander around the Baptisterium to admire the exterior and go inside for a closer look. If you go up to the higher levels you also get some great views of the city of Pisa, Italy!

3. Camposanto

Camposanto is a huge cemetery in the same area as the Leaning Tower of Pisa complex. The cemetery dates back to 1277 and it’s full of history. You can go inside to admire the beautiful design work and be sure to check out the courtyard area too.

If you’re also a bit strange and like wandering around old cemeteries, then you’ll find this one fascinating. There is a tonne of influential and famous people buried here!

4. Ice Cream at Tuffo 13 Gelateria

While many people recommend Gelateria De’ Coltelli, we came across Tuffo 13 Gelateria. It’s a little off the beaten path along the River Arno but worth heading out to and it’s still close to many of the other things to do in Pisa in one day.

The owner was super friendly and happy to give us recommendations of flavour combinations too. There are loads of vegan options (I tried the coconut stracciatella which was delicious!) as well as unusual flavours too.

5. Wander Borgo Stretto

We parked a little out of the centre of Pisa and as such ended up walking along Borgo Stretto. This was an area I’d not visited before but it’s quite a cool spot and felt very local.

Borgo Stretto is an important shopping area, but at the same time, it’s full of beautiful townhouses you can admire too.

Spend some time getting lost in the side streets and you never know what delights you’ll come across!

6. Wander along the banks of the River Arno

The River Arno, which also runs through Florence, is the perfect place to go for a stroll with your ice cream. You get beautiful views of the coloured buildings in Pisa and it’s a bit more relaxing than the areas near the tower if you’re done with people and crowds for the day!

7. Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles)

The Square of Miracles is the grassy area near the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptisterium and other buildings within the complex.

This area is fully pedestrianised and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a great people-watching spot and the place to get your ‘holding up the tower’ photos!

8. Cattedrale de Pisa

Santa Maria Assunta is the Cathedral of Pizza which is often overlooked by visitors to the city. The cathedral is next to the tower and is a beautiful Romanesque building.

The white marble of the cathedral has been masterfully sculpted and carved. You can head inside too which is worth doing, especially if this is your first time visiting Pisa.

9. Leaning Tower of Pisa

Of course, The Leaning Tower of Pisa is probably what you’re visiting Pisa for in the first place! It’s probably at the top of most lists of ‘what to see in Pisa’; and for good reason.

The angle of the leaning tower of Pisa was around 5.5 degrees. These days some sources say it’s less than this due to work done to stabilise it. However, it still looks like the building could just topple over from some perspectives.

The building is 8-storeys high and was actually built as the cathedral’s bell tower but the bells no longer ring out!

You can climb to the top of the tower up the 297 steps where you can enjoy great city views of Pisa. This is quite expensive in comparison to other things to do in Pisa, but it’s quite a unique thing to do.

It’s recommended to book your timed slot in advance to avoid disappointment. You can also buy ‘skip the line’ tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa which I’d recommend so you can maximise your what to do in Pisa italy in one day itinerary.

Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa tilt?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa’s construction started in 1172. It wasn’t until after construction began that it became evident that the ground wasn’t stable.

The following 200 years saw constant adjustments to try and stop the tower from leaning but to no avail.

Today, efforts are being made to prevent the tower’s collapse; in the meantime, it’s a fun tourist sight to go see!

Is the Leaning Tower of Pisa still leaning?

In 2008 the structural engineers working on the tower said it had been stabilised to the point at which it’s no longer leaning more and more! This is the first time that’s happened.

10. Kieth Haring House

Kieth Haring is a famous artist known for his vibrant murals and there’s one in Pisa which you can see! The colourful mural goes across the side of a house in Pisa. It’s an abstract mural and depicts people moving. It’s said to show life and vitality.

11. Palazzo Della Carovana

Right in the centre of Pisa, Italy is Palazzo Della Carovana. This Palazzo is a beautiful square and is home to historical buildings including the Normale di Pisa University and the magnificent Palace of the Elders.

There is so much history in the square with the university being founded by Napoleon Bonaparte! Nowadays you can soak up the student atmosphere and hang out in this beautiful square.

12. Parco Don Bosco 

Parco Don Bosco a beautiful park in Pisa that’s worth adding to your things to see in Pisa italy in one day.

It’s filled with pine trees and offers some much welcome shade from the summer heat in Pisa. There are also the remains of a Roman aqueduct running right through the park.

13. Lunch at Trattoria Da Stelio

When it comes to what to do in Pisa for a day, you’re going to have to eat!

While there are many great restaurants in Pisa, I have to recommend the one we ended up in for lunch during our day in Pisa!

This restaurant is a few streets away from the tower (top tip: avoid those as they’ll be way more pricey than others!), and felt super authentic. It was one of the highlights of a day in Pisa for me

The menu is all written up on a chalkboard that’s put on a chair near your table for you to view. The pasta dishes were super delicious and just 5€ for a plate that’s more than enough for lunch.

They have daily specials too and I got the impression they had plenty of regulars coming in for their lunch as everyone was talking to each other over their food.

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Pisa for a day

If you’re visiting Pisa, Italy I hope I’ve given you plenty of ideas for things to do in Pisa Italy in one day.

When it comes to what to see in Pisa in one day, clearly the Leaning Tower is top of your list, but spend a few more hours in Pisa and you’ll discover a side to the city that many tourists miss.

To fill your trip to Pisa in a day, make time to walk the streets which lead away from the tower and check out the other squares and historical buildings. Make time for lunch and grab a lazy apero to cheers to a fantastic trip to this city.

Last Updated on June 9, 2023 by Hannah