Cheap travel in and around Pisa
Located in the western part of Tuscany, Pisa was once an important commercial centre and is now primarily associated with its iconic Leaning Tower. Many tourists pass through Pisa en route to Florence, but we would recommend giving yourself a little more time to discover the picturesque corners of this city. There are plenty of direct flights to Pisa offered by low-cost airlines, and the short flight time makes it a great choice for both a longer holiday and a weekend getaway.
Pisa’s biggest advantage is the short distance between the airport and the city centre. You can cover this route on foot, by bus or by a train that runs every 10 minutes. Walking around the city is also easy, with the distances between individual attractions not so great. To really get under Pisa’s surface and experience more than just a photo at the Leaning Tower, we suggest discovering the city at a leisurely pace over a day or two.
Buy attraction tickets before you go!
What to see in Pisa?
Begin your visit at Campo dei Miracoli, or the Field of Miracles. This famous square attracts tourists who want to see the complex of four Romanesque buildings, the most famous of which is, of course, the Leaning Tower. Work on the tower began in 1173 and lasted almost 200 years. The area’s soft ground made the belfry tilt, creating the perfect backdrop for that fun “holding up the tower” photo we’ve all seen. Fortunately, the stabilisation of the building has ensured that, for now at least, the tower’s “lean” is not increasing. If you want to visit the inside of the building, you’ll need to buy an entrance ticket, however most tourists are happy to view this landmark from the outside only – a perfectly good option.
The other buildings in this complex are the free-to-enter Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which serves as the mediaeval cemetery of Camposanto, and the Battistero. It is worth noting that the square is surrounded on two sides by a mediaeval wall, and the city gate – Porta Nuova – offers an interesting vantage point of the Leaning Tower. Moving on from the Campo dei Miracoli, which is surely the most crowded place in Pisa, and you should now head to the historical centre of the city, the Square of the Knights, or Piazza dei Cavalieri. The former political centre of the city now captivates with its tranquility and interesting architecture. Visitors will be fascinated by the Palazzo della Carovana and Palazzo dell’Orologio’s decorated facades. There are also many sacral buildings in the area, such as the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri.
Pisa’s attractions
How much time you need to explore Pisa depends on how many attractions you want to visit. However, we recommend taking the time to admire the city from the boulevards along the River Arno. The colorful building façades often appear on Pisa’s postcards, and the Church of Santa Maria della Spina deserves particular attention. This small building has a marble façade and sculptures of saints and is a perfect example of Pisan Gothic. It also boasts an unusual location, squeezed between tenement houses and boulevards. A walk along the banks of the river is a great opportunity to see Palazzo Blu where you can visit one of many exhibitions. Nature-lovers should be sure to visit the university’s botanical garden. It is the oldest academic facility of this type in Europe.
Aside from the tower, Pisa is also known as the home city of famous astronomer, Galileo. His statue is located at Lungarno Ranieri Simonelli 16. Feel like shopping? The main shopping street is Corso Italia, but be prepared for typical tourist prices. For cheaper, more authentic souvenirs and lunches, walk to the little streets further away. Narrow and atmospheric, they are also a beautiful backdrop to your photos. Cheap flights to Pisa mean it is also a good option for those wishing to travel to the Cinque Terre in Liguria. The complex of five towns of colourful terraces is one of the most visited attractions in Italy, frequented by tourists from all over the world.
How to get to Cinque Terre?
If you are in Pisa, be sure to plan at least one day to see these Italian Riviera towns. The cheapest option to get here is to travel by train. The first leg of the journey is the route to La Spezia, which takes just over an hour. The second leg takes you to the Cinque Terre. We recommend buying a Cinque Terre Train Card, which gives you unlimited rail travel on the Levanto-Cinque Terre-La Spezia route, free travel on local buses, access to toll sections of the Blue Route and discounts to La Spezi’s city museums. Choose a pass for one, two or three days, depending on your needs. If you plan to make more than a couple of train journeys, the Cinque Terre Train Card will save you money, even in the off-season, when all Cinque Terre trekking trails are free.
What’s worth seeing in Cinque Terre?
The Cinque Terre region has gained the National Park status was recognised by UNESCO, who placed it on the World Heritage List. You have five towns – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso – and the train journey between them takes just a few minutes.
Cinque Terre offers ideal viewpoints and romantic spots to watch the sunset and the main attractions of the towns are their colourful terraced buildings. You can also visit their small ports to take a ferry trip, try canoeing and taste local specialties with a view of the sea. The coast is mainly rocky, however Monterosso has a sandy beach.
The only town not directly on the water is Corniglia. To reach its centre, you will need to climb 377 steps or take a local bus. Manarola is famous for the production of Sciacchetra wine, Riomaggiore captivates with its tranquility, and near Vernazza you can go snorkelling. So, how many days should we allocate to visiting the Cinque Terre? For some, just a few hours is enough. However, to fully experience feel the atmosphere of these towns and admire their incomparable local sunsets, it is worth staying overnight in La Spezia if you can.
