Pisa is an easy day trip from Florence. We have visited Pisa twice this way. On our last visit, we caught the 9:28am ‘Regionale’ train for under 10 Euros each, one way. We typically allow extra time to use the ticket machines in the Florence train station to buy our tickets on the day of our trip. However, where we have no flexibility, or for infrequent services, we would buy them in advance, either online for intercity trips, such as Venice to Florence, or by stopping in at the station the day before for trips within the region.
We alighted at Pisa Centrale after the one hour-long trip. The day we visited (July 2018), taxis were few and far between at the station on our arrival. Eventually one arrived and we were dropped at Piazza dei Miracoli, taking the opportunity to chat with the driver on the way. The driver complained of tourists who don’t attempt a word of Italian, so we’d strongly encourage you to at minimum learn some basic courtesies, such as greetings, please and thank you. It clearly made a difference for this taxi driver and does for other locals too.
Piazza dei Miracoli is the beautiful green square in which the Leaning Tower of Pisa (the Torre) is situated. There is more to the square than just the Leaning Tower.
Piazza dei Miracoli is the beautiful green square in which the Leaning Tower of Pisa (the Torre) is situated. There is more to the square than just the Leaning Tower. Pisa’s Cathedral, the Baptistry, the Camposanto and a couple of museums make up the lovely collection of white ornate buildings in the square.
The Leaning Tower
We had pre booked our 1:00pm tower climb online, on the official Italian website before we left Australia. We chose 1:00pm as we had anticipated that this time would be most suited to the photos we wanted of the Cathedral with the sun shining down on it from behind us.
As of our last visit in July 2018, there are some logistics to be aware of. You must check in at the ticket office for your climb even if you already hold an online purchased ticket. You can only check in 15 mins before the climb is scheduled, and you are not allowed to take bags, backpacks etc. on the climb, so you will be allocated a locker. Of course, your camera is allowed. Once you are checked in, you line up at the base of the tower.
The climb was fun and you can actually feel the lean as you take the stairs up! There are little windows along the way as you spiral around the inside of the tower, so you can take a peek out at the square below. Be aware that it is 257 steps from the bottom of the Leaning Tower to the bells chamber.
The view from the top is worth the climb. And we were quite taken by the view of the Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj’s Fallen Angel (Angela Caduto) statue located at the base.
The Cathedral and Baptistry
Both the Cathedral and the Baptistry are worth a look in while you are visiting the Tower should you have time. The Cathedral is free to enter as long as you have a ticket for one of the other paid sights. We picked our time based on when there wasn’t much of a line up to enter. As per all the churches and cathedrals in Italy, ladies need to have their shoulders covered.
The Baptistry (Battistero) is a striking white, round building opposite the entrance to the Cathedral. The Baptistry does have a cost to enter, it was 5 Euros when we last visited in 2018. Inside, there are two levels. Make sure you visit the upper level and check out the views from the windows. If the window is open, you can get a great photo of the front of the Cathedral from the elevated position within the Baptistry.
Camposanto
The Camposanto is a rectangle shaped cloister containing tombs of a number of notable people. We bought the ticket for this on the day without any problem. It was beautiful inside and also a good reprieve from the sun and crowds in the square. It contains a tidy little central garden.
There are a number of impressive frescoes on the walls of the Camposanto, including an amazing depiction of Hell. You’ll find the Hell scene in the corner closest to the Cathedral. The day we were there, we were fortunate enough to see some restoration work of these frescoes in progress. Apparently, they were fully restored over the course of 2018.
Additionally…
Before our climb of the Leaning Tower, we had a local lunch of toasted panini nearby. After we had finished sightseeing and taking the photos we wanted of the beautiful buildings in the square, we treated ourselves to an ice cold beer at Café Pasticceria Miracoli under the shade of umbrellas, with a view of the Leaning Tower. So good!
We elected to walk back to the station so we could see a little more of Pisa. We went via the pedestrian mall of Corso Italia. At the time we agreed it would be worth spending a night or two in Pisa to explore further, and to have the opportunity to see the Piazza dei Miracoli in the evening and first thing in the morning (with less crowds).
The 4:28pm train back to Florence was full, but luckily for us we climbed aboard promptly and were able to secure a seat for our weary legs and feet. My FitBit informed us we had walked 11.48 kms this day, so we were grateful we had booked a relaxing dinner out for ourselves at the stylish Enoteca Fiorentina.