Pisa is a city in Tuscany, in the Central parts of Italy. Being the capital city of Pisa province, the city is known worldwide courtesy of its bell tower (leaning tower). However, apart from the leaning tower there are many other historic places and tourist site scattered over the town. It is believed that the city was founded on the shore, which eventually moved to the west due to alluvial sediments from rivers Serchio and Arno.
People who intend to visit Pisa with their mind made up about the Tower being the only thing to visit will be surprised to see the rest of the artistic and architectural marvels of this stunning city.
While on a two-day trip to Pisa, you are sure to visit several sites and experience a lot of exciting events.
The First Day
The first day being your arrival day, you will need to familiarise with your environment, the city tourist attractions, means of travel and gather any information relevant to your trip.
How to arrive
The Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport is the most suitable destination for you if you want to visit the city from other countries. The airport is connected to numerous airports globally with various airlines gracing the city every day. At the airport information desk, you may purchase train and bus tickets to go to the city centre.
Travelling by train is the fastest means and there are two trains leaving the station each hour. The tickets will cost you merely 1.40 Euros and the ride to the centre takes about 5 minutes. Pisa Centrale is the major train station of the city. Trains travelling from Rome to Genoa stop at Pisa central, making it a perfect means of transport to get to the city. The Pisa Centrale offers luggage services that cost about 6 Euros for 12 hours. If you do not have much luggage, it is advisable to down to the Pisa S. Rossore station. This train is much closer to the Leaning Tower and will save on transportation cost. There are also regional trains from Florence to Pisa leaving the station at one hour interval, every 46th minute of the hour.
The bus terminal is straight in front of the airport, to your right when headed out of the terminal building. The Red Line buses have regular service each quarter an hour and takes about the same time to get to the city. They run to the central station and the Piazza dei Miracoli. Fare for one person is a euro, but if you purchase the ticket from the driver you will have to pay double. Each ticket is valid for 30 minutes, so you should probably buy several or your wallet should be at your fingertips.
A taxi is definitely a more convenient way of travel to the city centre but will cost you about 20 Euros.
Once in the city, its major sites are within walking distance and easy to locate.
The city is divided into four historical quarters.
The Field of Miracles or Piazza dei Miracoli is located to the north of Central Pisa. It is a recognised UNESCO world Heritage Site, containing Pisa’s most famous sites. The leaning tower, known as Torre Pendente is one of the sites found on this side of the city. The Cathedral of Pisa (Duomo di Pisa) and the Baptistry are other points you will find in the Piazza dei Miracoli. The monumental Cemetery, the Museo dell' Opera del Duomo and the Museo delle Sinopie at the same point are magnificent sites that you cannot afford to skip in the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Piazza dei Cavalieri is the second part of Pisa city that you will want to pay a visit. It is a little town square with numerous historical buildings which hosted the political powers of Pisa in the Renaissance and the middle ages. The places to have a glance at here include Palazzo dell’Orologio (the Clock Palace), Chiesa di Santo Stefano, the Rectory, the Church of San Rocco and Palazzo dei Dodici.
Another side of Pisa that you will want to visit is the Piazza San Matteo (Museo di San Matteo). It is an incredible history art museum that hosts nearly all of the original works of art from the churches around and in Pisa. Even though it is somewhat small, it is among the largest museums for Tuscan Renaissance art. The arts are housed in the rooms of the Monastery of san Matteo.
The other important part of the city that calls for your visit is the Lungarno Pacinotti and Lungarno Mediceo, found on the north of River Arno. The riverside streets reflect a distinctive character of the city, more so at night with their lamplights reflecting on the river. The University of Pisa is another place you will not want to ignore when you are touring the city. In a city of about 100,000 residents, the university has a student population of 60,000. It is therefore not surprising to hear someone say that the university makes the city.
If you are tired or you just want to enjoy a peaceful, refreshing environment, you will need to head to the Casciana Terme or San Giuliano Terme spas. The magnestic sulfate water that is rich in crucial natural curative elements used in modern rehabilitation therapies, respiratory and cardiovascular treatment.
The central shopping region is around the Corso Italia, located between the central bridge (Ponte di Mezzo) and the railway station. There are also a number of specialised shops sprinkled around the city, where you may buy exciting merchandise and souvenirs.
In case you need something to munch, head to the central area, about 8 minutes walk from Piazza dei Maracoli. Affordable restaurants and cafeterias can be found here, offering excellent food at cheap prices. Via San Martino, which is situated to the south of the river also offers points with great quality food at low prices. During the summers, everybody stays close to the rivers at night, sipping drinks bought from different bars in the area. A handful of good wine bars also operate during the colder nights of winter.
Having experienced your first day in Pisa, you have a better idea of how exactly you will spend the second day in this amazing city. At this stage you already have the places of interest at your finger tips and you will be ready to start your intensive tour the first thing in the morning. Your outlined schedule for the day should include the things you will do, places you will visit, where you will go shopping and how you will find juicy meals in the course of the day.
The Second Day
What other better place to start your tour than Torre di Pisa (Leaning Tower), one of the continent’s most famous towers? The tower started to be built in 1173 and yet was not finished until the course of 14th century. When they talk of the ‘leaning’ tower, it is in fact implied that the tower is leaning, literally. This was not meant to be the case when the building of the tower started. It was a mistake from the constructors and the construction was halted several times for periods of up to a century. Leaning had continued gradually but steadily and the tower lies at 5 degrees inclination from the intended straight one (about 4 metres aside). However, the continuous leaning was remedied by introduction of steel supports. The cylindrical tower is 54 metres tall, 294 steps, with 8 stories, six of which have open galleries. The experience of being at the top of this tower can only be compared to being on top of the world.
Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) or Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) holds the major attractions of Pisa. Its expansive green lawns offer an urban carpet where Europe’s most extraordinary Romanesque buildings concentrate in the form of Tower, Baptistry and Cathedral. The pivotal buildings trace the path of life for medieval individuals from birth to death. This busy place accommodates 2 million visitors annually. At this part of Pisa there are numerous artwork and ancient historical items that will definitely interest you.
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is a museum that rounds up the architectural masterpieces of Piazza dei Miracolli, better than any other museum. It is a repository for artworks once displayed in the baptistery and cathedral. Ivory carvings such as Giovanni Pisano’s Madonna del colloquio and Madonna and Child are found at this museum! Besides, you will admire legendary collection of Islamic art pieces including the Griffin.
Palazzo Blu is the other place to catch a glimpse of numerous art collections. The marvelously restored 14th century building facing the river has a stunning dusty-blue façade. Its over-the-top modern interior decoration is the ideal milieu for the Foundation Cari Pisa’s collection of artwork. You will be able to see predominantly Pisan works stretching to as early as 14th century to date, as well as a variety of temporary exhibitions.
The Battistero consists of domes piled on top of each other with each half of the roof in lead and the other half in tiles. Although its construction began in 1152, it was notably remodeled by Giovanni Pisano and Nicola over a century later. Its hybrid architectural style can be attributed to the fact that it was completed in the 14th century. The interior is indisputably highlighted by the striking hexagonal pulpit which was carved by Pisano himself. He used great classical models to endorse biblical scenes. For instance, you will see the figure of Daniel supporting a corner of the pulpit, modeled on a statue of Hercules. It is among the earliest heroic nude arts in Italian history, frequently cited as the beginning of a style that would attain perfection via the figure of David by Michelangelo.
Museo delle Sinopie is the home to wonderful wall art pieces, safeguarding the few precious 14th and 15th century frescoes that survived the 2nd world war. The Triumph of Death is the most notable of these frescoes, with extensive restoration uncovering various sinopie (preliminary sketches).
Besides visiting the attraction sites, you may decide to get to outdoor activities such as touring the city and its environs. Cycling through the attractive Tuscan landscape between Florence and Pisa will be a perfect. Sightseeing Bus Tour of the city will help you have a better impression of Pisa, including its famous bridge. Travelling on the top deck of a bus guarantees you a perfect view of the city centre and its suburbs. Visit the Knight’s square and the University to chat with the welcoming students.
You may shop for snacks and chocolates at Bon Bon, for the best taste of local sweets and chocolaty delights. If you are diabetic, worry less because your package is specially designed. Bianco Nero is among the city’s signature shops. It has a boutique feel, featuring a variety of accessories and clothes. In case you want to go back home looking like a Pisan, take your wallet and head there.
To kill pangs of hunger, the market at Piazza Vittorio Emmanuele has great offers for you. It is an organic market selling amazing foods that you will be quite excited about. Fresh cookies, dried fruit, dried meat, fresh vegetables candies, cheese, et al are offered here with crowds of people making their purchases. You need to join them to know just how juicy these delicacies could get.
Visiting Pisa is interesting and fun. You will have a life-time experience paying trips to the numerous attraction sites, shopping, tasting traditional foods and sightseeing throughout the beautiful city.