Pisa and its surroundings: beyond the Leaning Tower, amidst art, rivers, maritime parks, and hillside villages

If you are exploring the wonders of northern Tuscany, Pisa is an essential stop that blends thousands of years of history with a vibrant university soul. Together with Lucca and Pistoia, it forms a unique itinerary that we recommend discovering in our guide to Tuscany's perfect triangle.

Pisa is world-famous for its Tower, but stopping only at Piazza dei Miracoli means missing out on the best part. The city and its extraordinary territory hide Gothic treasures, contemporary art murals, immense nature reserves, a surprising coastline, and hillside villages where art and ancient traditions come alive.

What to do in the city… for a short stay

• Be enchanted by Piazza dei Miracoli: Admire the Cathedral, the Baptistery (with its incredible acoustics), and, of course, the Leaning Tower. Climbing its tilted steps is a bizarre and unforgettable experience.
• Stroll along the Lungarni at sunset: Pisa’s riverside streets, celebrated by poets and writers, are the true social heart of the city. Enjoy the view of the noble palaces reflecting on the Arno River and stop to admire the tiny, Gothic Church of Santa Maria della Spina, which looks as if it is delicately resting on the water.

• Find Keith Haring’s "Tuttomondo" mural: One of the last great public works by the American artist. Painted on the facade of the Sant'Antonio convent, it is an explosion of colors and figures celebrating peace, harmony, and life.

• Experience the atmosphere of Piazza dei Cavalieri: Designed by Giorgio Vasari, this was the political center of medieval Pisa. Today, it hosts the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore university and is dominated by the majestic Palazzo dell'Orologio.

Hidden gems… for those staying a week or longer

If you have a few extra days, dedicate them to hunting down the most mysterious and unusual details of the historic center:

• The solar clock and Galileo’s "kiss" in the Cathedral: Inside the Duomo, look for the bronze lamp (known precisely as Galileo's lamp). Legend has it that the famous Pisan scientist formulated the theory of the isochronism of the pendulum just by watching its swings during a mass.
• The mysterious Devil's claws on the Cathedral: On the outside wall of the Cathedral (facing the cemetery), look for a marble stone full of small holes. Legend says they are the scratches left by the Devil as he tried to climb up to stop the construction. Fun fact: it is said that if you try to count them, you will get a different number every single time!
• The other leaning towers: The most famous Tower is not the only one that leans due to the clay-heavy soil! Look for the bell tower of the Church of San Nicola (slightly tilted and octagonal in shape) and that of the Church of San Michele degli Scalzi, which showcases a truly dramatic tilt.

Nature, coast, villages, and relaxation: heading out of town

• Explore the Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli Natural Park: Just a stone's throw from the center lies a gigantic nature reserve where you can walk, cycle, or horse-ride through ancient pine forests, sand dunes, and free-roaming fallow deer.
• Take a dip in Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia: The Pisan coast offers perfect beaches for relaxation, characterized by the famous artificial rock barriers in Marina and the wide sandy stretches surrounded by Mediterranean scrub in Tirrenia. If you are in Marina di Pisa, we absolutely recommend a gastronomic stop at Laboratorio Mediterraneo, an excellent restaurant and take-away serving fresh, locally caught seafood—perfect for an authentic lunch.
• Rejuvenate at the San Giuliano Thermal Baths (Bagni di Pisa): For a day of pure relaxation, visit these historic thermal baths, which in the past welcomed the Grand Dukes of Tuscany as well as illustrious writers and poets like Shelley and Byron.
• Go truffle hunting in the medieval village of San Miniato: If you are in the mood for an outstanding gastronomic tour, you cannot miss this splendid medieval town perched on a hill along the Via Francigena. San Miniato is the Tuscan capital of the white truffle; lose yourself in its historic alleys, climb the Tower of Frederick II for a breathtaking view over the Arno plain, and treat yourself to a gourmet stop at one of its historic trattorias to taste local dishes enriched with local "white gold."
• Contemporary views in the delightful village of Peccioli: This small hillside village is a true jewel that has successfully blended its medieval soul with contemporary art. Walking through its alleys, you will come across open-air art installations, colorful walkways suspended in mid-air, and breathtaking panoramic terraces overlooking the Valdera valley. You can stop for a coffee or an aperitif at La Terrazza bar or enjoy the carefully curated cuisine of Caffè Haus Osteria.

• The notes of Lajatico and the Theatre of Silence: World-famous as the birthplace of Andrea Bocelli, this village hosts a unique natural amphitheater nestled in the beautiful setting of the Pisan hills. Built to host just one grand concert a year (by Bocelli himself), for the rest of the time it remains a place of absolute quiet where art dialogues with nature. The magic of the place continues at Anteprima del Silenzio: a cocktail bar and bistrot with an exceptional view over the hills and the theater itself, perfect for a striking aperitif or lunch.

Ready to leave? Find the perfect base for your trip

Whether you are looking for a dream villa with a pool surrounded by olive trees or a seaside accommodation for the whole family, we have the perfect solution to let you experience the Pisan territory like a true insider.

Discover our available homes in this area and book your favorite:

• Casa di Dante - 8 sleeps
• Casa degli olivi - 5 sleeps
• Casa dei Gigli di Dante - 8 sleeps