How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Pisa From Florence (+ Sample Itinerary)

Hoping to take a day trip to Pisa from Florence on your upcoming trip to Italy?

If so, we wrote this guide for you!

As one of the most famous towers in Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa draws crowds from all over the globe–and while Pisa is one of the simplest day trips to take from Florence, it takes a bit of advance planning to make the most of it (particularly if you wan to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa).

This step-by-step travel guide will show you exactly how to take the perfect day trip to Pisa, including how to get there and a sample one day Pisa itinerary to follow–all based on our own firsthand experiences visiting Pisa.

Do you need a tour to take a day trip to Pisa from Florence?

One of the most common questions that pops up when planning a day trip to Pisa is whether it’s better to book an organized tour or visit independently, and in this case of visiting Pisa from Florence, there’s a clear answer: it’s better to visit independently!

Pisa is located a simple direct train ride away from Florence, and its top attraction isn’t a place that is enhanced by visiting with a tour guide.

There’s no reason to book an organized tour unless you’re combining a stop in Pisa with a visit to a destination that’s even further from Florence, like this trip that visits both Pisa and Cinque Terre–but even then, we’d recommend splitting those up and visiting Pisa and Cinque Terre on separate days if at all possible.

So, that being said, here’s exactly how to get from Florence to Pisa on your own!

How to Travel From Florence to Pisa, Italy (And Back)

Without a doubt, the easiest way to travel between Florence and Pisa is by train.

Many trains run between Florence and Pisa each day, and the train is even a regional line–meaning that tickets are static in price, and you don’t have to worry about booking far in advance to get the best deal.

You can check train schedules and shop for tickets here!

Note that if you purchase tickets online and show the conductor the ticket on your phone, this allows you to bypass the pesky requirement to validate your ticket at the station before boarding (though that’s becoming less relevant in Italy every year, as everyone continues to become more digitally connected).

There are also a couple of details to keep in mind before you board…

In Florence, the trains to Pisa are set a bit apart from most of the platforms.

In the Santa Maria Novella Train Station, most platforms are immediately visible once you have your ticket checked and step through the barrier to board your train–but the trains to Pisa typically aren’t among them.

Those regional trains tend to operate from the smaller, quieter section of the station that holds platforms 1A, 1, and 2.

They’re very close by and exactly where you’d expect based on the platform’s numbering system, but they’re a short walk around a corner away.

Check that you’re on the right train based on the route number, not the destination city.

This is standard advice for traveling Europe by train (you can read our full guide to train travel in Europe here), but it’s important to keep in mind!

If you look for your train platform based on the train to Pisa, you’ll likely have a lot of trouble finding it, as routes are named based on their final destination, not the stops they make along the way.

Instead, search for your train based on a combination of the departure time and train number.

Make sure that you get on and off at the correct train stations.

Pisa has two main train stations, and Florence has three–so be sure that you get off at the correct one!

In Pisa, you’re looking for (somewhat self-explanatory) Pisa Centrale, and in Florence, you’ll want to get on and off at Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

Be sure to build travel time from Pisa Centrale to the Piazza dei Miracoli into your travel plans.

While traveling to Pisa from Florence for the day takes about an hour via train (give or take), you’ll also need to account for the time it takes to get from Pisa Centrale to the Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and other important monuments, when planning your day trip.

Traveling from Pisa Centrale to Piazza dei Miracoli takes about 15-20 minutes via bus, or about 25 minutes on foot.

Check train schedules and shop tickets from Florence to Pisa today!

An Easy One Day Pisa Day Trip Itinerary

This one day Pisa itinerary–which can be trimmed to a half day depending on how much time you have–is a great starting point for planning your day trip to Pisa!

However, if you plan to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa (we discuss the pros and cons of the climb here), your timed entrance to the tower will dictate the order in which you arrange your day more than anything else.

For that reason, consider these stops building blocks that can be rearranged based on your schedule more than a set order–though the groupings (the Piazza dei Miracoli on one side, a few stops between the Piazza dei Miracoli and Pisa Centrale on the other) should stay together.

Arrive at Pisa Centrale and make your way to Piazza dei Miracoli by bus.

After your train pulls into the station at Pisa Centrale, it’s time to head to the main attraction!

Like many train stations in Italy (and throughout Europe), when disembarking in Pisa you’ll descend from the train platform to an underground passageway, follow signs heading toward Centro (center), and exit into a parking lot.

The parking lot is where you’ll find a (clearly marked) bus waiting to ferry the many daytrippers arriving on the train from Florence to Piazza dei Miracoli.

You can buy tickets onboard (with tap to pay, even–doesn’t get easier than that).

We recommend walking at least one direction between Pisa Centrale and the Piazza dei Miracoli, but for the purposes of this example Pisa day trip itinerary, we’ve placed the walk at the end of the day.

Step into Piazza dei Miracoli and snap photos holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

If you don’t snap photos holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, did you even visit?

I’m joking, of course, but letting your inner kid run wild and create optical illusions with the tower is a fan favorite among things to do in Pisa, and you’ll see people of all ages participating!

Before and after snapping your photos is also a good time to get the lay of the land at the Piazza dei Miracoli: you’ll see the Baptistery, Cathedral, and Tower before you, the town walls along the far side, and more subtly, the museums and Camposanto around the edges.

There are also public toilets on the north side of the Piazza dei Miracoli, between the Duomo and the City Walls (and next door to the Camposanto).

Admire 360-degree views from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

On our second trip to Pisa, I booked this timed-entry ticket and headed up to the top of the tower… and to be perfectly honest, walked away with mixed opinions regarding climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

I go into far more detail in this blog post, but essentially: the view from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is beautiful, and the tower itself is iconic… but in my opinion, it is far from the most epic viewpoint in Tuscany, and is among the most crowded and expensive.

That being said, if you’ve decided that taking a day trip to Pisa is one of the best Florence day trips for you, then odds are high you want to see the iconic tower (including the historic bells at the top) for yourself, so we’ve structured this travel guide assuming that you want to complete the climb!

You will absolutely want to plan ahead in order to do so: timed-entry tickets are the name of the game when it comes to climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and I personally booked mine a few days in advance.

Shop timed-entry tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa today!

Visit the magnificent Pisa Cathedral.

I adore the Duomo di Pisa, or Pisa Cathedral–in fact, I love it more than its famous leaning bell tower!

Construction broke on the cathedral in 1064, making it nearly 1000 years old. And, while its exterior (which includes plenty of materials “borrowed” from former Roman monuments) is gorgeous, the interior is where the Duomo truly shines.

The remaining 14th-century mosaics, particularly the 1302 piece by Cimabue depicting St. John the Evangelist, are alone worth stepping inside for.

(And, for what it’s worth if Medieval-era Italian frescoes are your thing, let me just say you’ll also love visiting the mosaics of Ravenna–and they are also reachable on a day trip from Florence).

The Duomo is the only monument in the Piazza dei Miracoli that is free to visit, though you do need a ticket to enter.

Entrance comes attached to any ticket (to the tower like the ticket I used, to a complete ticket to the museums, etc.), but if you don’t plan to visit any of the other monuments, you’ll need to register for the Cathedral ticket on-site during your day trip to Pisa.

The ticket office is on the south side of the Piazza dei Miracoli, not at the Duomo itself.

Depending on time, pay a visit to the other monuments in the Piazza dei Miracoli.

One quirk of planning a day trip to Pisa is that the ticket to climb the Duomo’s bell tower (in this case, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa) is ticketed separately from the other associated buildings like the Baptistery and Duomo Museum.

Depending on how long you’re planning to spend in Pisa, and how early you started your day trip, you may want to simply appreciate the Baptistery from the outside… or you may prefer a deeper dive into the Piazza dei Miracoli’s attractions.

While you can purchase a separate ticket for each of these, they’re priced in such a way that purchasing a complete ticket for all of them makes sense if you want to visit 2 or more of them.

Here are the other attractions located in the Piazza dei Miracoli, beyond the tower and the Duomo, that you might want to visit:

Baptistery

Dating to the 12th century, Pisa’s marble Baptistery is famous for its acoustics and for being the place where the legendary Galileo was baptized.

The Baptistery is striking from the outside and stands–like many baptisteries–opposite the Duomo on the Piazza dei Miracoli.

It is not, however, known for its interior decor: beyond the marble, it’s rather plain inside, unlike the Duomo.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

Along the edge of the Piazza dei Miracoli, just steps away from the tower itself, you’ll find Pisa’s Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, which houses relics from the Duomo itself.

Pisa is far from the only city in Italy to have a museum dedicated to its cathedral–there’s also one in Florence, for example–but for those interested in the history of the building, it’s well worth a visit.

Camposanto

Pisa’s historic cemetery is enclosed by four marble walls, and, like many final resting places throughout Europe, is best known these days for its remarkable art.

In particular, the Camposanto is home to some incredible 14th-century frescoes.

Sinopie Museum

If you loved the frescoes in the Camposanto, then you’ll love the Sinopie Museum.

This quiet museum houses the sinopias, or original drawings, that were traced onto the walls of the Camposanto and then became the frescoes–which is beyond remarkable for art that dates back to the Middle Ages!

Watch the crowds melt away as you make your way over to the Piazza dei Cavalieri.

After spending the bulk of your Pisa day trip at the city’s most crowded spots, it’s well worth stepping off the (very) beaten path to sample a quieter side of this historic University city.

For that, start by heading to Piazza dei Cavalieri (or in English, Knights Square).

Located a mere 7-minute walk from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Piazza dei Cavalieri of today is an almost disconcertingly quiet piazza given its vast size.

Head back to the Middle Ages, though, and this piazza was the center of the Pisa Republic before it was taken over by Florence in 1406 (and well before that, it was the site of the city’s Roman Forum).

Stroll along Borgo Stretto.

Primarily pedestrianized and lined with porticoes that remind me of Bologna, Borgo Stretto (roughly translated to “narrow village”) is one of Pisa’s main shopping streets and a delightful place for a stroll.

Cafes, restaurants, and shops line the street, and while there are tourists here, there are plenty of locals and University students, too (after all, most of the tourists are back at the Piazza dei Miracoli).

If you’d like to grab an Italian coffee at a particularly historic place, stop by Café Settimelli, which is housed in the building where Galileo was born.

Pause to enjoy a lesser-known view of the Arno River.

For non-Italians, the Arno River tends to be identified with Florence and its memorable Ponte Vecchio stretching across the river… but the Arno River also runs through Pisa on its way to the Mediterranean Sea!

Follow Borgo Stretto past Piazza Garibaldi, and you’ll find yourself crossing the Arno River on your way back to Pisa Centrale.

It’s worth pausing to appreciate the view from the Ponte di Mezzo as you do!

Stop by Santa Maria della Spina and Palazzo Blu.

After crossing the Ponte di Mezzo, you’ll find yourself strolling along Lungarno Gambacorti as it hugs the Arno River–and there are a couple of points of interest to keep your eye out for as you do!

First, the aptly named Palazzo Blu: this bright blue palace is immediately striking as a Pisa photo spot, and, if you have some extra time to work with, it also houses a small art museum.

Second, the magnificent Santa Maria della Spina that sits along the Arno River is worth a look for its incredible Gothic architecture featuring plenty of spires and architectural detail.

The church dates to 1230, but it has dealt with many alterations in its time–including the entire building being moved a meter or so higher in the 19th century, to protect it from the river.

Santa Maria della Spina has very limited hours–we haven’t had a chance to go inside yet–but if it’s open when you visit, be sure to step inside to see its famous Madonna of the Rose statue.

Head back to Pisa Centrale and then on to Florence (or your next destination).

After checking out Santa Maria della Spina, you’ll find yourself very close to Via Francesco Crispi which, if followed, offers an efficient (though admittedly less picturesque than the nearby smaller streets) route back to Pisa Centrale.

From there, you can either make your way back to Florence from Pisa, or on to your next destination–Lucca, perhaps?

Other Cool Things to Do in Pisa on a Day Trip

Have more time to spend in Pisa, or just want to mix a few less busy attractions into your day?

There are some wonderful options!

First, strolling along the Mura di Pisa, or the city walls, offers beautiful views (including of the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower of Pisa) without the crowds.

Other options include checking out incredible Tuscan art at the National Museum of San Matteo, visiting Pisa’s Botanical Garden, stepping inside Palazzo Reale, browsing the local market at Piazza dei Vettovaglie, or strolling over to the Church of San Francesco.

FAQ For Visiting Pisa From Florence

How long does it take to travel from Florence to Pisa?

The average train journey between Pisa and Florence takes about an hour, though the fastest routes take about 50 minutes and the slowest almost 2 hours.

From Pisa Centrale, it’s then a 15-30 minute journey, roughly, to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and assorted other attractions in the Piazza dei Miracoli–more on that below.

What’s the best way to get from Pisa Centrale to the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

There are two simple ways to get from Pisa Centrale to the Leaning Tower of Pisa: walk or take the bus.

We’ve done both and think they both have their place. The most balanced option is to take the bus one way and walk the other.

The bus travels from Pisa Centrale directly to the tourist market just outside the Piazza dei Miracoli. The journey takes about 15 minutes and you can buy tickets onboard.

The walk takes about 25 minutes, but allows you to pass by some of the other cool things to see during a day trip to Pisa, including the Arno River, Borgo Stretto, and Santa Maria della Spina.

How much time do you need in Pisa?

How much time you need in Pisa depends on how much you want to accomplish there!

If your main objective is only to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and appreciate a few other convenient attractions like the Duomo, then you can cover Pisa in half a day.

If you’d like to see most or all of the Piazza dei Miracoli sites, possibly have lunch in town, and enjoy Pisa’s historic center a bit, it’s best to plan on spending a full day in Pisa.

And, if you’d like to step off the beaten path a bit further and appreciate Pisa on a deeper level, you could spend a couple of days in Pisa by adding visits to things like the City Walls, Palazzo Reale, and Pisa Botanical Garden.

Most visitors spend between a half day and a full day enjoying Pisa on a day trip.

Can you visit Pisa and Cinque Terre in one day from Florence?

When looking at a map of Italy, it’s easy to be tempted into visiting both Pisa and Cinque Terre–two of the biggest tourism destinations west of Florence–on a single day, but it’s not ideal to do so.

Cinque Terre alone is a big undertaking as a day trip from Florence (here’s our guide to taking a day trip to Cinque Terre), and adding Pisa stretches the day extremely thin.

If you are short on time and really, really want to see both cities on a combined day trip from Florence, we recommend booking a guided tour like this to help you optimize your time.

Ideally, though, it’s best to visit Pisa and Cinque Terre on separate days.

What’s the best second destination to combine with Pisa on a day trip from Florence?

If you’re hoping to spend half a day visiting Pisa but want to see a second Tuscan destination on your day trip as well, we recommend adding Lucca!

Lucca is one of our favorite cities in Tuscany, is located near Pisa, and has excellent train connections to both Pisa and Florence.

While you’re there, be sure to stroll along the top of the town walls, climb the Torre Guinigi, admire the oval-shaped Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, and step inside some of Lucca’s many beautiful churches (more than one of which is home to a mummy).

Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Lucca!

Read More About Visiting Tuscany

Excited to keep planning your trip to Tuscany?

We’d love to help here on Our Escape Clause!

You can browse our 100+ Italy blog posts here, or check out these guides:

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• Volterra, Italy: Fun Things to Do + Guide
• One Day in Florence: Everything You Need to Know
• The Outsized Charm of Tiny Montefioralle, Italy
• The 11 Best Views of Florence (Sunset Spots, Climbs + More!)