Pisa Weekend Travel Guide: An Underrated, Charming Little City

If you’re planning a weekend in Pisa and wondering if it’s worth more than a quick photo stop, this guide’s for you. I’ll admit it, I went to Pisa expecting to be underwhelmed. Everyone told me it was a one-stop photo op, a quick detour before heading somewhere more “authentic.” You go, you lean, you leave. But after spending an afternoon there, I left wishing I had a lot more time.

Yes, the Leaning Tower is touristy (and yes, everyone is trying to take that same photo), but somehow it’s still impossible not to smile when you finally see it in person. The marble glows in the afternoon light, the bells echo softly from the cathedral next door, and if you walk just a few streets away, the mood shifts entirely. Suddenly it’s all quiet piazzas, students on bikes, and little bakeries that smell like butter and espresso.

This itinerary is your blueprint for the perfect weekend in Pisa. Relaxed, walkable, and packed with the kind of low-key charm that turns skeptics into fans. It’s designed for two full days (arrive Friday evening, leave Sunday night), blending the must-sees with hidden spots, easy eats, and zero rush. Whether you’re coming from Florence or flying in, it’ll show you all Pisa has to offer. Below are the best things to do in Pisa.

If you’re looking for other unique things to do in Tuscany check out my post: 10 Unique Things To Do In Tuscany

Pisa’s a breeze to reach, especially if you’re already in Tuscany. Here are your best options based on budget and starting point.

Flying into Pisa International Airport (PSA), it’s tiny, efficient, and just 2km from the city center. From there, grab the People Mover train (5 minutes, €2.70) or a quick LAM Rossa bus (€1.50) to Pisa Centrale station. Plus, once you’re in Pisa you don’t need a vehicle.

If you arrive before your accommodation check-in time (especially after an early flight or train), I highly recommend using Bounce. It’s a super handy app that helps you find safe, affordable luggage storage near transit stations, cafes, or hotels.
I use it all the time when I land early or have a few hours to explore before check-in. It’s available in most major cities worldwide, and it’s been a game changer for making the most of my arrival days!

✨ Bonus: You can book and pay right through the app, so there’s no hassle when you get there.

Book luggage storage with Bounce →

Trains are king for day-trippers or overnighters. Take the high-speed from Florence (1 hour, €9-15), Rome (3 hours), or Milan (4 hours). Book via Trenitalia app.

We road-tripped Northern Italy and drive in from Rome along the coast. It was a beautiful drive and cost around €15 in tolls.

Check out my guide on road tripping in Italy if you’re thinking about renting and driving in Italy: Road tripping through Italy (link to come)

Parking’s easy and cheap, around €2-3/hour in lots which is way better than in Rome or Florence. Plus there are lots right outside the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

My only word of advice is make sure you know the local ZTL rules and are a confident driver! I always book through the Expedia app for rental cars, check out options below!

This may sound wild but if you’re coming from Lucca you can bike to Pisa – it’s absolutely beautiful: Self Guided Bike Tour. The journey takes between 2 to 4 hours on a trekking or e-bike.

Getting around in Pisa is extremely easy. The town is flat, compact (under 5km end-to-end), and super walkable. Perfect for ticking off all the top things to do in Pisa on foot for your weekend itinerary.

If you would rather not walk there are a couple options.

Rent a bike (from stations like Pisa Bike Rental or through GetYourGuide) for a great cruise along the Arno.

Or there are a few electric scooters in Pisa that are also great to get around. In Pisa there are a two main e-scooter companies: RideMovi and Bit.

Pro Tip: Be sure to download and set up the apps before hand to make renting e-scooters seamless when you need them!

Taxis/Uber work too, but traffic’s meh. I would not recommend this option.

Arrive to Pisa in the late afternoon and check into your spot near the river. Start with a stroll to Piazza dei Miracoli at golden hour. This Piazza includes the Leaning Tower, Duomo, Baptistery, and Camposanto. During golden hour the marble glows like something out of a painting.

Skip the climb tonight and just admire the views! (The tower leans way more than the photos show – I was quite surprised)

Fun Fact: The tower was built in 1173 only to show the town’s wealth. It was meant as a bell tower with zero practical use.

Head south along Borgo Stretto for aperitivo: Grab a spritz and cicchetti (little bites) at Osteria dei Cavalieri. Think fried artichokes and local Chianti (€15-20pp). Then grab dinner nearby at Osteria Bernardo for hearty pappardelle with wild boar ragù.

Crash early; tomorrow’s for exploring.

Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa at 9am to beat the crowds. The views over the piazza are definitely worth the wobble. Follow with the Duomo (free, stunning mosaics) and Baptistery (they still do choral echoes).

I loved climbing the tower, it was a lot of fun with the lean of the tower, making it feel like something out of a fun house. Plus the views of Tuscany at the top were breathtaking. Buy your tickets ahead of time: Entrance tickets.

Pro Tip: Its about 300 steps up so get ready for a hike.
Be sure to check your bag at the coat room before as you’re not allowed to bring anything up with you! It’s free!

Grab lunch at a street-food gem: La Lupa Ghiotta for panini stacked with porchetta and stracchino (€6-8). Or if you’re not done admiring the tower grab lunch at the museum café, just be sure to make reservations if you want a table with a view. The food wasn’t amazing but what it lacks in quality it makes up for in views.

Walk it off via Ponte di Mezzo to the left bank. It’s a quieter neighbourhood with street art, vintage shops, and the Keith Haring mural on the river wall.

Botanical Gardens (Orto Botanico, €6) for a chill greenhouse wander, or rent bikes to hit San Michele degli Scalzi church (free, underrated Romanesque beauty) – great to add to your Pisa weekend itinerary. Sunset on the Arno banks with gelato from De’ Coltelli. Their salted caramel pistachio is life-changing.

Enjoy dinner at Trattoria da Cucciolo for seafood risotto and grilled bream (€25-35pp). And enjoy a nightcap at a student bar like La Lupa Chiara for live music.

Enjoy a lazy brunch at Caffè dell’Ussero (historic spot since 1775) – cappuccino and bomboloni pastries (€10). Then hit the morning market at Piazza delle Vettovaglie for cheese, olives, and fresh focaccia to snack on.

Enjoy a culture fix at Palazzo Blu (free entry some days, €9 otherwise) for Tuscan art and river views. Or visit the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo for Tower artifacts. If you’re artsy, squeeze in the Sinopie Museum (those Tower sketches).

As a last hurrah, walk Lungarno to the Citadel for fortress views before you head out. You’ve covered 10km max, eaten like locals, and ditched the crowds.

There are a ton of places to stay in Pisa, but here are my recommendations:

• Budget Stay: Hotel Pisa Tower
  – Stay downtown beside the Tower of Pisa (~€50/night)
• Mid-range Stay: Pisa Hotels Rinascimento Bed Breakfast
  – Arno views near the city centre (~€125/night)
• Splurge Stay: Pisa Hotels Royal Victoria Hotel
  – Prime Arno spot (~€180/night)

For something unique, try a farm-stay! See my guide: Why Agriturismos Are the Best Way to Stay in Italy. It includes everything you need to know about Agriturismos in Italy!

There isn’t just one food that you have to try when you visit Italy, instead each region is known for something different. Pisa is no exception. The local star is cecina, a thin, savory golden flatbread made from chickpea flour. It’s been a staple in Pisa since the Middle Ages, perfect for a quick snack between Tower climbs and Arno walks throughout the weekend itinerary.

Grab it at Lambruschini (street-food vibes) or Ristorante Galileo (family-run spot with vaulted ceilings and hearty plates).

For more on Italy’s eats by region, check my Italy’s food by region guide. (link to come soon)

Yes – if you skip the crowds and explore beyond the Tower. This Pisa weekend itinerary shows its student buzz, river charm, and easy eats. Perfect low-key Tuscany stop.

2 full days (Fri-Sun) hits must-sees and hidden gems without rush. Day-trippers miss the evening magic.

Totally, it’s flat, compact (<5km end-to-end). Bike or e-scooter for Arno stretches.

Spring (Apr-Jun) or fall (Sep-Oct) for mild weather, fewer tourists. Skip August heat.

Overnight. Train’s 1hr (€9), but sunsets + aperitivo make staying worthwhile.

Tower climb if heights/queues aren’t your thing, views from ground are still great.

What surprised me most was how lively Pisa felt beyond the postcard zone. The university gives the city a pulse. Bars and cafes are full even on random Tuesdays, and if you wander along the Arno River at sunset, you’ll find locals sitting on the stones, talking, laughing, just living. It felt refreshingly normal and wonderfully Italian in all the best ways.

There’s also a sweetness to Pisa’s scale. It’s compact and walkable, with just enough to fill a long weekend without feeling rushed. You can climb the tower in the morning, explore the botanical gardens in the afternoon, and still have time for aperitivo by the water. It’s not trying too hard, and maybe that’s the whole charm of it.

So if you’ve written Pisa off as a one-trick city - don’t. This weekend Pisa itinerary proves the town is more than a photo stop. Go, stay the night, wander without an agenda. Chances are, you’ll leave with a soft spot for it, just like I did.

What's your Tuscany plan? Drop questions below!