Top 5 Things to Do in Pisa, Italy

Spending a day in Pisa, Italy, offers just enough time to see its main attractions. Located about 1.5 hours from Florence by coach (WHAT TO DO IN FLORENCE), Pisa is ideal for a day trip unless you're planning to stay overnight or enjoy a local dinner. Starting in the morning, you can easily cover the top five sights by evening. All of them are located within the spacious Piazza dei Miracoli, officially known as Piazza del Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also referred to as the “Square of Miracles” for its stunning architecture.

How Does It Begin

The coach drops you off just outside Pisa’s main area. From there, you hop onto an open-air shuttle with other visitors for a short ride closer to the entrance. As you get down, non-Italian street vendors crowd around, selling everything from fake sunglasses and keychains to souvenirs you didn’t ask for. Walk ahead and you’ll find rows of permanent stalls on both sides - bags, hats, T-shirts, fridge magnets, Pisa towers in every size. Keep moving, and soon you’ll pass through an old stone gateway, and your moment of sightseeing in Pisa begins (VARANASI INDIA TOP SIGHTS).

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Beyond the top four sights in Pisa, the main highlight, and the first thing you’ll notice is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This iconic bell tower tilts due to an unstable foundation. Construction began in 1173 and, after multiple interruptions, took nearly 200 years to complete. The tower stands at about 56 metres and leans at an angle of roughly 4 degrees. It has 294 steps, which visitors can climb for panoramic views, though advance booking is advised due to limited entry.

 

Climbing is optional and often crowded, but even standing near the Leaning Tower is an experience in itself. Seeing it up close, after years of only viewing it in photos or on social media, feels surreal. Visitors can’t resist taking photos, often posing as if they’re holding up the tower to stop it from leaning.

Duomo of Pisa (Pisa Cathedral)
Pisa Cathedral is the main active Roman Catholic church and a standout example of Romanesque architecture. Construction began in 1063 and the cathedral was consecrated in 1118. Entry is free, but a timed ticket is required, usually included with most monument combo tickets (WHAT TO DO IN SAPPORO JAPAN).

 

Inside, the cathedral features marble columns, a gilded coffered ceiling, detailed mosaics, and the famous marble pulpit carved by Giovanni Pisano between 1302 and 1310. This pulpit, illustrating scenes from the New Testament, is widely regarded as a Gothic masterpiece.

 

The space inside is often calm and quiet, with fewer visitors compared to outside. Whether or not you're religious, sitting silently on the benches across the altar can offer a surprising sense of peace. The walls are lined with large-scale art drawings and reproductions depicting religious narratives and historical moments, not original frescoes, but still meaningful in how they convey Pisa’s spiritual and artistic legacy.

 

It would be a real miss to skip the Duomo, it's not just a stop on the sightseeing list, but a place that invites reflection beyond the usual tourist experience.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
Visitors often miss the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, overshadowed by the Leaning Tower and Pisa Cathedral. Maybe also because it’s quieter and less flashy. Still, it’s worth stepping in, you’ll find original sculptures, religious relics, and artwork that once belonged to the cathedral and baptistery. It’s a good stop if you're curious about the details you can’t really spot from a distance. The arched windows also frame unique views of the Leaning Tower. You’ll likely spend no more than 20 minutes here.

 

Baptistery of Pisa
Also known as the Pisa Baptistery or Baptistery of St. John (Battistero di San Giovanni), it is located directly behind the Leaning Tower of Pisa and is hard to miss. Built between 1152 and 1363, it is the largest baptistery in Italy and features a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. The circular structure has a double dome that creates impressive acoustics, while the interior holds a large baptismal font and a pulpit carved by Nicola Pisano.

 

Visitors can climb to the upper gallery for a clear view of the space and to experience the echo effect. Baptistery of Pisa, to sum up, is simply stunning even from afar, especially for its white marble architecture. It may remind you of the famous domes in Rome, such as St. Peter’s Basilica or the Pantheon, though each is unique and remarkable in its own right.

Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery)
Within the same area is Camposanto Monumentale, a historical cemetery. Built in 1277, it’s a walled walkway said to be constructed over sacred soil from Golgotha, brought back during the Crusades. Inside, there were once colourful wall paintings, many of which were damaged during WWII, but some have been restored. You’ll also see old Roman stone coffins and religious sculptures that reflect Pisa’s artistic history.

 

On the outside, the white marble front stands out with pointed spires and statues above the arches, usually with a statue of the Virgin Mary with Child in the center, and others like saints or angels on each side. Though it's an important site, because it’s also a cemetery, the quietness inside might feel a little unsettling, and you may just want a quick look before moving on.

These five highlights, considered the must-see sights in Pisa, will easily fill up your time. Along the way, whether you pause for brunch, lunch, or just a quick break, you’ll find cafés and restaurants conveniently located nearby. Enjoying an authentic Italian meal, often served with freshly baked bread or toast, makes the experience even more complete.