Pisa is a small and convenient city to explore on your own. The historic center can easily be covered on foot, while the airport, train stations, and main attractions are all located relatively close to one another.
Where Is Pisa?
Pisa is located in western Tuscany, on the Arno River, about 10 kilometers from the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital of the province of the same name and has a population of around 90,000.
The municipality covers a fairly large area, including land stretching toward the coast, but the historic center itself is small and compact.
Pisa has a strong student atmosphere. It is home to the University of Pisa, the Scuola Normale Superiore, and the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. This means that, in addition to tourists, you will see many young people from different parts of Italy and around the world on the city’s streets.
How to Get to Pisa
By Plane
Galileo Galilei International Airport is located practically within the city itself.
Walking from the airport: The terminal is about one kilometer from Pisa Centrale train station. The walk to the station takes around 15–20 minutes. With light luggage and good weather, this is the simplest and cheapest option.
PisaMover: You can also travel from the airport to Pisa Centrale on the automated PisaMover shuttle. The journey takes a few minutes, and the service runs every day, usually departing every few minutes.
By Train
The city’s main railway station is Pisa Centrale. Both regional and long-distance trains stop here. Pisa can easily be reached from cities including Florence, Lucca, Livorno, Genoa, and Rome.
Piazza dei Miracoli is about 2 kilometers from Pisa Centrale. The walk leads through the city center, past the Tuttomondo mural, along Corso Italia, and then across the Arno toward the Leaning Tower.
It is worth treating this route as your first walk through Pisa rather than simply as the journey from the station to the main attractions.
Another useful station is Pisa San Rossore, which is located much closer to Piazza dei Miracoli.
However, not all trains stop there, so you should check your connection carefully before traveling. You can also take a city bus from Pisa Centrale to the area around the Leaning Tower.
By FlixBus and Long-Distance Bus
Long-distance buses also travel to Pisa. FlixBus offers connections from Florence, Bologna, Rome, Milan, and other cities in Italy and across Europe.
FlixBus uses several different stops in Pisa, including stops near Pisa Centrale, at the Pietrasantina parking area, near Cisanello Hospital, and at the PisaMover stop beside the Aurelia parking area.
The exact address of the stop is shown on your ticket. Do not assume that every bus stops at the main railway station.
The Pietrasantina parking area is located on the northern side of the city, close to Piazza dei Miracoli. From there, you can walk to the Leaning Tower or take public transportation.
By Car
Pisa is easy to reach by car, but in the historic center a car usually turns out to be more of a problem than a convenience.
Watch out for ZTL zones. Restricted traffic zones, known as ZTLs, operate in the city center and are monitored by cameras that read license plates.
You should not drive past a ZTL sign without the appropriate permit. A fine can also be issued for a rental car.
Staying in the city center does not always automatically give you permission to enter. Before arriving, ask your hotel or apartment host whether they can register your license plate.
Where to Park
The most convenient option is to leave your car outside the historic center and continue exploring on foot.
There is a paid parking lot on Via Cammeo, about 50 meters from Piazza dei Miracoli. However, it can fill up quickly during the high season.
A car is mainly useful when Pisa serves as a base for trips to smaller towns. You do not need a car to explore Pisa itself.
How to Get Around Pisa
On Foot
The easiest way to explore Pisa is on foot. The historic center is compact, and the main attractions are located close to one another.
City Buses
Public transportation is operated by Autolinee Toscane. Tickets can be purchased through the at bus app, at ticket outlets, or by using the available electronic payment systems.
A city time-based ticket is valid for 70 minutes after activation.
By Bicycle
Pisa is a city of bicycles. They are especially popular with local residents and students.
Cycling can be a good way to get around outside the historic center, but you should be especially careful in the crowded areas around the main attractions.
Weather – When Is the Best Time to Visit?
Pisa has mild winters and hot summers. In July and August, average daytime highs are around 30°C, but temperatures can be much higher during heat waves.
Evenings remain warm, while heated squares and stone streets can make the temperature feel particularly uncomfortable.
In summer, it is best to begin sightseeing in the morning, take a longer break during the hottest part of the day, and return for another walk in the late afternoon.
It is worth bringing a hat, water, sunscreen, and light, breathable clothing. There is very little shade on Piazza dei Miracoli, so spending several hours sightseeing there around midday can be exhausting.
Spring and fall are usually more pleasant for walking, although rain is more common in the fall.
In winter, the city is quieter, but the days are shorter and some lesser-known attractions operate with limited opening hours.
Check Church Opening Hours
When planning your sightseeing, do not assume that all churches in Pisa will be open throughout the day.
Many smaller churches are only open in the morning, in the late afternoon, on weekends, or during religious services. Midday closures are also common.
The situation is different on Piazza dei Miracoli, where the monuments have regular opening hours.
Even there, however, access to the cathedral may depend on Sundays, public holidays, and religious services. The cathedral is open to tourists from 10:00 a.m., but its schedule may change.
For this reason, before setting out, it is best to check the opening hours of each place you want to visit separately. In Italy, “open today” does not always mean “open right now.”