Pisa holidays

Popular holidays

City breaks to Pisa line up a famous leaning tower, an authentic food scene, and age-old architecture.

City breaks to Pisa

Pisa’s pitched inland on the banks of the River Arno in central Tuscany. It probably goes without saying that its Leaning Tower grabs most of the spotlight when it comes to trips here, but that’s not the only thing it’s got in its locker. Its food scene sticks to traditional routes, with a collection of cosy restaurants – called osterias – offering menus packed with classic dishes and wine from around the region. It’s easy to pair your city break with a trip to another Tuscan hotspot, too – the train from Pisa to Florence only takes an hour.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Despite being the icon of the city, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was far from intentional. The bell tower’s build took place in the 12th century, and during its construction it began to sink into the soft ground, causing it to lean to one side. Work’s been done to make sure it’s stable, and you can climb to the top of the tower for an aerial shot of the city’s sights.

Sights in the square

There’s plenty to fill your camera roll with beyond the bell tower. The Medieval Pisa Cathedral and the Romanesque Pisa Baptistery share the same square as the Leaning Tower, so you can tick off a trio of sights at speed. Knights’ Square is another spot to slot onto your to-do list – it’s framed by the 16th-century Palazzo dei Cavalieri.

Old town shopping

If shopping features highly on your holiday agenda, make a base near Borgo Stretto – it’s the shopping street that cuts right through the heart of the city. High-end stores and cutesy cafés line both sides of the street, slotted between 14th-century town houses and stone-built arcades.

Popular hotels in Pisa

Top things to see and do in Pisa

Shopping

Bargain buys

The market in Piazza dei Miracoli lines up all sorts, from handmade clothing to handicraft souvenirs. The stalls closer to the Leaning Tower tend to come with lower price tags than those further along the square.

Mid-range buys

Corso Italia comes with all the big names from the high street, such as Foot Locker and H&M. There are a handful of Italian brands to get to know along this stretch, too.

Designer buys

Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo play host to the lion’s share of designer shops in Pisa. They’re joined by cafés and restaurants, too, so there are plenty of options for pitstops in between buys.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Pisa Marina – a 15-minute taxi ride outside of the city centre – is well positioned for avoiding the crowds. Head to an ocean-facing restaurants by the marina, where most menus are adapted depending on the catch of the day.

Lively evenings

Pisa’s a university city, so its bar-and-club scene comes with a buzz every night of the week. The streets that surround the university are a good place to start, with many spots staying open until the early hours.

Food & drink

Fettunta

If garlic bread’s your go-to side dish, this is the plate for you. It’s made with freshly baked bread which is toasted before being soaked in garlic-infused olive oil.

Pilgrim Cake

This cake’s made with dark chocolate, rice, pine nuts and forest fruits, which are all tucked inside a pastry crust. It’s a firm favourite with locals, so you’ll have no trouble seeking out a slice in bakeries across the city.

Pappardelle Cinghiale

This pasta plate is Tuscany’s national dish, and it’s super popular in this part of Italy, so you’ll find it on menus in most restaurants across the city. It’s made with ribbons of pasta which are topped with tomatoes and tender cuts of wild boar.

Limoncello

This tipple is usually served in a shot glass, but if you’d prefer to take your time you can order a limoncello-infused cocktail instead.

Gelato

Gelato parlours come in big numbers in Pisa. They offer a taste to suit all palates – from traditional flavours like strawberry and chocolate to more unusual options like rose and pistachio.

Facts about Pisa

Currency

Euro

(EUR)

Language

Italian

Time zone

GMT +1

Flight duration

2 to 3 hours 30 minutes from Dublin