Pisa, Italy

Pisa guide

The Tower of Pisa is the bell tower (campanile) to the Cathedral (Duomo) in the 'Piazza dei Miracoli' (Square of Miracles). Construction on the Tower of Pisa began in 1173 and went on for about 200 years. At first people believed the incline was to be part of the construction but the tower was designed to be vertical. Today measures are in place within the sub-soil to help prevent the inclination. Without a doubt people flock from many corners of the globe to see this great wonder. Hundreds of tourists come each day particularly to take the obligatory picture of holding up the tower with your bare hands! The Buildings in Piazza dei Miracoli are made like most monuments in italy; from marble. It is recommended to reserve your ticket to take the trip to the top of the tower as entrance is restricted by numbers and time. Ticket reservation is in the square and there are lockers to keep any valuables. The only way up is to walk the many steps (294) so ensure you are fit enough. The staircase spirals to the top and about half way you may begin to feel disorientated as you start to feel the incline. Once at the top you can walk out of the roof to the bells; the view is just incredible. This is not for the faint-hearted and you need to be brave; if you didn't suffer from vertigo before the incline can make you feel like you want to hold onto the floor! This is truly a magnificent building and you have a great sense of achievement once you have conquered the tower!

Also in Piazza dei Miracoli is a beautiful cathedral 'Santa Maria Assunta', the baptistry and Camposanto cemetery. The grass in the square is an amazing vibrant bright green; together with the buildings it adds to a strange feeling of being in a made-up town where everything is kept pretty and clean and the tower was deliberately made to lean to add to obscurity. Pisa itself is very compact and easy to walk around but if you feel like being pampered you can hire a horse drawn cart from the square to show your round; the guide will tell you some history of Pisa (in English or Italian).

There are beautiful shops whether you want to buy or simply window shop. Running through Pisa is the river 'Arno'; an afternoon stroll along the river is very relaxing. Pisa is compact with many historical monuments, galleries and a top Italian university. You may want to take a day trip to Florence or Lucca and tourist information will be able to help with train timetables.

Currency - Euro.

Flights to Pisa

Aeroporto Galileo Galilei (Pisa owns the only international airport in the region).

To and from Pisa airport

Aeroporto Galileo Galilei (PSA)

N.B on arrival in Pisa the train station is to the south and is 30 minutes walk from the centre. If your feeling energetic and do not have heavy luggage grab a map at the train station and walk into town; it's quite difficult to get lost on Pisa! Otherwise there are buses that run from the train station.

Activities and sightseeing in Pisa

Piazza dei Miracoli - Leaning tower of Pisa, Cathedral, Baptistry and the cemetery. Museums and Art Galleries - Le Navi Antiche di Pisa (Lungarno Simonelli Museum), Museo Nazionale di San Matteo (National Museum of St. Matthew), Museo delle Sinopie (Sinopie Museum), Meseo dell'Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Works Museum). Day trips to Florence and Lucca.

Eating and drinking in Pisa

Pisa will offer traditional Tuscan food such as home-made bread dipped in olive oil, pasta and pizza dishes. Try the Osteria I Santi on Via Santa Maria. Pisa is a small and compact town therefore it will not have the nightlife of some of the larger cities in Italy but it is a student town therefore drinking places will be plentiful. Piazza Garibaldi and Lungarni are on the cheaper side otherwise Piazza Cairoli is good. If your looking for a disco head for 1080 club on Via del Brennero.