No prizes for what Pisa is most famous for! It is of course, the infamous wonky tower and the resulting photos of people propping the tower up which adorn the internet! One attraction isn’t usually enough to warrant a holiday though so before planning a trip here, you might ask yourself what else is there to do in Pisa? Well the answer is plenty; this attractive city is brimming with sight-seeing gems and that’s where we come in! Have a read of our handy Pisa travel guide with a full inclusion of what to see and do.
So, what else is there to do in Pisa…? You could:
Go for a walk along the river
This is so popular it is affectionately known simply as the River Walk. You’ll be best place to start at the end of Corso Italia and instead of crossing the bridge, turn right and follow Lungarno until you reach the second bridge. The street is flanked by beautiful buildings, which really set this area apart from the rest of the city. Be sure to stop in at Giardino Scotto a beautiful park, before crossing the bridge and turning left. On your return along the other side of the river, you’ll pass the medieval town which contains its own set of treasures to explore!
Explore the museums
As with any city, Pisa has a long history and excellent offering of cultural delights. One of the easiest ways to get to grips with it all is by visiting the diverse selection of museums. If you like to look at art then be sure to include a trip to Museo di San Matteo, which contains a lot of the original art work displayed in churches all over Pisa. Located within the San Matteo monastery, it is easily overlooked by other visitors so come here to add a unique spin to your trip. Museo delle Sinopie falls under the same category!
There are several options too of course but for something completely different, you might want to visit the Museo delle navi antiche which essentially means the museum of ancient boats. It’s still an active archaeological site which makes it all the more fascinating although, this does mean that you will need to make a reservation before visiting.
Explore the other attractions in Piazza del Duomo
The Piazza del Duomo is the main hive of activity in Pisa; it’s natural, since it’s where the Leaning Tower is located. After you’ve taken that essential photo, spend some time exploring the remainder of the square. It is also home to the stunning Cathedral and Campanile, baptistery and monumental cemetery, not forgetting of course the Museo del Opera del Duomo which displays various artefacts from the Cathedral including large, impressive bronze sculptures. You can easily spend a day exploring this area alone which is all inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
When in Rome, eat as the Romans do… (Except you’ll be in Pisa)
Italian food doesn’t need much of an introduction. It’s one of the most favoured cuisines in the whole world and rightly so. The trouble is however, finding good Italian food when you’re in Italy! It’s such a popular country that unfortunately bad, cheap food aimed towards tourists is far easier to find that the real deal. That’s why you’ll need to get off the beaten track and find out which restaurants the locals eat at– that is how you will be assured of delicious Italian dining! What staples should you try when you’re here? Well Tuscan wine should definitely be your drink of choice and when it comes to meals there is a vast selection of tasty meat and seafood dishes on offer with some slightly stranger options including hare, boar and pheasant on offer! Speak to a local for some decent restaurant recommendations, or take a look at Lonely Planet’s suggestions. One word of advice however; you might want to give the restaurants closest to the tower a wide berth!
Get out and explore the nearby beauty spots
Pisa’s location in the midst of beautiful Tuscany makes it an ideal base from which to get out and explore Italy’s natural beauty. So, once you’ve uncovered the delights of the city centre, there’s no better destination than the Cinque Terre national park on the Italian Riviera, a mere one hour drive from Pisa. This portion of coastline is easily one of the best in the world and the gorgeous, paint pot coloured terraced villages which hug the rugged cliff faces definitely define this area’s personality. As well as exploring the villages such as Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza, you can relax on lovely beaches and enjoy some great coastal walks! Traditional and uncommercialised, it’s a completely different world to that experienced in Pisa and will make for a stunning excursion during your trip.
So, in answer to your question what else is there to do in Pisa, the answer is plenty! If you’re tempted by a weekend break in Pisa, a trip to see the Leaning Tower is just the start; hop in your hire car and discover this beautiful city.
