things-to-do-in-pisa
Top 10 Things to Do in Pisa: Explore the Best of this Iconic City
Discover the top 10 must-see attractions in Pisa, from the Leaning Tower to local gems. Plan your perfect trip and explore this iconic city now!
By Lucia Rinaldi - Thinks Pisa leans best into its quiet corners.
![IMAGE: A quiet early morning view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa with no crowds, light fog, and dew on the grass. Filename: peaceful-leaning-tower.jpg]()
Let me tell you something about Pisa that might surprise you. After living here for thirty-two years, I’ve watched thousands of visitors sprint to the Leaning Tower, snap their photos, and race to catch the next train to Florence. They miss everything.
Yes, the iconic Leaning Tower is spectacular. Italy Pisa is not just about this famous landmark, it’s a must-visit city in Italy, rich in history, architecture, and Tuscan charm that makes it a unique travel destination.
But Pisa Italy has layers that most tourists never discover. When visiting Pisa, you'll find there is so much more to see and do beyond the Leaning Tower, from hidden gardens to vibrant local markets and historic sites. This isn’t just another travel guide listing things to do in Pisa. This is my honest take on a city that’s been my home for decades. A city that rewards curiosity over checklists for a true Pisa experience.
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People ask me constantly, “Is Pisa Italy worth visiting?” The answer depends on what you’re seeking and how much time you have. If you want to check the Leaning Tower off your bucket list and move on, you might be disappointed. The tower is impressive, but rushing limits your experience. When people ask me for the best things to do in Pisa, I always tell them the same thing: slow down.
This isn’t Florence or Rome. Pisa doesn’t overwhelm you with museums or monuments competing for attention. Instead, it offers something rarer in today’s Italy. The chance to experience an Italian city at human scale. A place where you can walk from the historic center to quiet riverside paths in just a few minutes.
The University of Pisa keeps the city young and vibrant. Students fill the piazzas, creating an energy that balances the weight of history. You’ll hear multiple languages mixing with local Tuscan dialect. You’ll smell fresh bread from family bakeries that have operated for generations. And you’ll discover that some of the most beautiful buildings in Pisa aren’t tourist sites at all.
The train station connects directly to Florence, Rome, and other major Italian cities, with travel times from these cities often just a couple of hours. This makes Pisa an easy addition to any Italian itinerary. But the real question isn’t whether it’s convenient for you to tick all things to do in Pisa and Florence or any of the Italian cities. It’s whether you’ll give it enough time to reveal itself.
Choosing Pisa as your base or entry point for exploring Tuscany can help you save money, as flights into Pisa are often cheaper and the city offers affordable accommodation and dining options compared to other major destinations.
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Let’s start with what everyone comes to see. The Piazza dei Miracoli, also called Campo dei Miracoli or Piazza del Duomo, is indeed miraculous. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains four of the most important medieval religious buildings in Europe, all part of the same complex: the cathedral, the Leaning Tower, the baptistery, and the monumental cemetery stand together on lush green grass that holds morning dew like scattered diamonds.
But here’s what the guidebooks don’t tell you about visiting this sacred space. The best time to experience the piazza is early morning or late afternoon when the crowds thin out. The white marble of these historic buildings seems to glow from within during golden hour. This isn’t just about better photos. It’s about feeling the spiritual weight of the place without distraction.
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The cathedral, Santa Maria Assunta, deserves more than a quick glance. Construction began in 1063, during the middle ages, making it one of the earliest examples of Pisan Romanesque architecture. The building dominates the Piazza del Duomo with its magnificent facade and represents the pinnacle of medieval craftsmanship. Inside, you’ll find Galileo’s lamp. The bronze chandelier that supposedly inspired his studies of pendulum motion. The wooden ceiling, painted with portraits of saints, creates an intimacy that contrasts beautifully with the grand scale.
Don’t rush past the Battistero di San Giovanni either. This cylindrical baptistery has extraordinary acoustics that will surprise you. If you time it right, you might hear a guard demonstrate the echo effect. Whispers carry across the entire space, creating an almost otherworldly experience. The building took nearly 200 years to complete. You can trace the evolution of architectural styles in its stones. Like the famous tower, the baptistery also has a slight Pisa lean, adding to its unique character among Pisa's medieval religious structures.
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The Leaning Tower of Pisa itself needs no introduction. But climbing it offers a completely different perspective on the city. The tilt becomes more dramatic as you ascend the 294 steps. The views from the top reveal how this bell tower fits into the broader urban landscape. You’ll see the Arno River snaking through the city. You’ll see the red rooftops of the historic center. And you’ll see the Tuscan countryside stretching toward the coast.
The climb isn’t just about views though. It’s about understanding why this bell tower has captured imaginations for centuries. The engineering feat of a building that should have fallen down but didn’t. The way it defies expectations and creates wonder.
The monumental cemetery, or Camposanto, is not just a burial ground but a holy land, revered for its spiritual and historical significance. Dating back to the 13th century, it is considered a sacred site within the same complex, holding centuries of Pisa’s religious and cultural heritage.
The University Quarter: Where Youth Meets History
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While tourists cluster around the Leaning Tower, I spend my afternoons in Borgo Stretto. This pedestrian thoroughfare runs from the Arno River toward the university district. Medieval arcades provide shade during summer and shelter during winter rains. The shops here aren't tourist traps selling miniature towers.
You'll find family-owned boutiques that have operated for generations. Bookstores where university students browse philosophy texts and engineering manuals. Cafés where locals debate politics over espresso and discuss weekend plans. The wooden shutters on upper floors open in the morning to reveal glimpses of everyday life. Laundry hanging to dry. Windowsill gardens overflowing with herbs. Elderly residents watching the street from their balconies.
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Stop at any of the cafés here for a proper Italian coffee experience. The baristas know their regulars by name and preferred drink. Standing at the bar, you'll overhear conversations about university exams and local politics. You'll hear mothers discussing their children's schools and shopkeepers complaining about city regulations. This is where you begin to understand that Pisa isn't just a collection of historic buildings. It's a living, breathing city center where people actually live.
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Just a five-minute walk from the Leaning Tower, Piazza dei Cavalieri offers a completely different architectural experience. This Renaissance square served as the political center of medieval Pisa. Today it houses the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore, one of Italy's most elite universities.
The Palazzo della Carovana dominates the square with its sgrafitto decorations. These elaborate facade paintings tell stories of Pisan history and medieval power. They weren't just decorative choices. They were political statements about the city's independence and importance. The building now serves as the main seat of the Scuola Normale, where Italy's future intellectuals study.
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The square feels different from the tourist-focused areas. Students hurry across the stones with backpacks full of books. Professors pause to chat with colleagues about research projects. The weight of intellectual tradition hangs in the air. This is where you realize that Pisa has always been a city of learning, not just monuments.
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The area around the University of Pisa pulses with young energy. Students from across Italy and beyond fill the streets, creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the medieval architecture. This is where you'll find the best aperitivo spots and late-night pizzerias. It's where bookshops specialize in everything from engineering texts to poetry collections.
The University Botanical Garden provides a green oasis in this bustling area. Established in 1544, it's one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe. The garden contains over 3,000 plant species and serves as both a research facility and a peaceful retreat. Walking through the botanical garden feels like stepping into a living library.
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Each plant carries a story. Some were brought back by Pisan merchants from distant lands during the city's maritime heyday. Others were cultivated by university researchers studying everything from genetics to climate adaptation. The garden's greenhouses contain tropical species that seem impossibly exotic in this Tuscan setting.
The Lungarni: Pisa's Liquid Heart
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Along the Arno River, you'll discover Santa Maria della Spina, possibly the most beautiful tiny church in all of Italy. This Gothic masterpiece, built in the 14th century, once housed a thorn from Christ's crown. Hence the name "spina," meaning thorn. The church's location creates perfect photo opportunities, especially during sunset when the light reflects off the Arno River and illuminates the intricate stonework.
But what makes this spot special isn't just its beauty. It's the way locals treat it as a natural gathering place. Couples meet here for evening walks along the river. Artists sketch the building's details from different angles throughout the day. Families pause during their weekend strolls to explain the church's history to their children.
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The church's exterior tells stories in stone. Every column, arch, and spire carries symbolic meaning related to medieval Christianity. The level of detail in such a small building demonstrates the wealth and artistic sophistication of medieval Pisa. The church was actually moved from its original location in the 19th century to prevent flood damage.
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The Arno River shapes Pisa’s character more than any single building. The Lungarni, the streets that run alongside the river, offer some of the most pleasant walking in the city. These aren’t tourist attractions in the traditional sense. They reveal how Pisans actually live and move through their city.
The river provides a natural gathering place for locals. In the evening, you’ll see groups of friends meeting before dinner. You’ll see couples pausing to watch the sunset reflect off the water. You’ll see solo walkers taking their daily constitutional along the same routes their grandparents used. The Ponte di Mezzo, the central bridge, serves as an informal social hub where people naturally pause and chat.
A short walk from the lungarni brings you to Piazza delle Gondole, a scenic and historically significant spot along the Arno River. This picturesque square features a water basin that once served as a docking point for boats and is connected to the city’s old aqueduct, highlighting its importance in Pisa’s history.
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The buildings lining the Lungarni showcase centuries of architectural evolution. Medieval towers stand next to Renaissance palaces and modern apartment buildings. Each tells a story about how the city has grown and changed. The colorful houses painted in shades of ochre, terracotta, and gold seem to change with the light throughout the day.
Other Museums and Lesser-Known Palazzi
Pisa’s rich cultural heritage isn’t just found in its famous squares or the shadow of its iconic leaning towers. It’s woven into the very fabric of the city, inside palaces and museums that quietly guard centuries of art, history, and innovation. For those who take the time to wander beyond the obvious, Pisa reveals itself as a treasure trove of masterpieces, each one telling a different chapter of the city’s story.
Whether you’re drawn to the bold lines of Renaissance architecture, the delicate brushstrokes of medieval icons, or the vibrant energy of contemporary art, Pisa’s museums and palazzi offer a journey through time. These are places where the past and present meet, where the city’s creative spirit is on full display, and where every visitor can find something to inspire them.
Step off the bustling streets near the Arno River and you’ll find yourself at Palazzo Blu, a striking 14th-century palace that has become the beating heart of Pisa’s contemporary art scene. Just a short stroll from Pisa Centrale train station, this beautifully restored building is a testament to the city’s ability to blend old and new in perfect harmony.
Inside, the palace’s elegant rooms and sunlit courtyard set the stage for a rotating program of exhibitions, featuring everything from modern Italian masters to international contemporary artists. The permanent collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of art in Pisa, while temporary shows bring fresh perspectives and creative energy to the city center. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply curious, Palazzo Blu invites you to linger, reflect, and see Pisa through a different lens.
Its location along the Arno River makes it an easy stop for anyone arriving at Pisa Centrale, and its vibrant atmosphere is a reminder that Pisa’s creative pulse is as strong today as it was in the days of Galileo and the Medici.
For those who crave a deeper connection to Pisa’s medieval soul, the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo is a must. Housed in a former Benedictine convent dating back to the 13th century, this museum is a sanctuary for some of the most exquisite medieval art in Italy. Just steps from the city center and within easy reach of the Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the museum offers a peaceful escape from the crowds.
Inside, you’ll find luminous white marble sculptures, gilded altarpieces, and illuminated manuscripts that once adorned Pisa’s churches and palaces. The collection spans centuries, tracing the evolution of artistic styles and religious devotion in the city. As you wander through the quiet galleries, you’ll catch glimpses of the Arno River through ancient windows, a reminder of the city’s enduring connection to water and trade.
The museum’s courtyard is a hidden gem, offering a tranquil spot to pause and soak in the atmosphere. Here, surrounded by history and beauty, you’ll understand why Pisa’s artistic legacy is as important as its architectural wonders.
Beyond the headline attractions, Pisa is dotted with lesser-known museums and palaces that reward the curious traveler. The Palazzo della Carovana, anchoring the grand Piazza dei Cavalieri, is a masterpiece of Renaissance design and a symbol of the city’s intellectual and political power. Its ornate façade and storied halls now house the Scuola Normale Superiore, but visitors can still admire its art and artifacts, each echoing Pisa’s rich cultural heritage.
Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, located near the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Piazza dei Miracoli. This museum gathers together precious artworks, sculptures, and relics from the cathedral complex, offering a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship and devotion that shaped these historic buildings. The proximity to the Leaning Tower and the Battistero di San Giovanni makes it easy to weave into your exploration of the city’s most famous sites.
For a breath of fresh air, the University Botanical Garden, one of the oldest in Europe, offers a living collection of rare plants and flowers, right in the heart of Pisa. It’s a peaceful retreat that reflects the city’s long-standing commitment to science and discovery.
From the Chiesa di San Michele’s Romanesque beauty to the intricate details of the Battistero di San Giovanni, Pisa’s historic buildings are living monuments to its historical significance. Whether you arrive at Pisa Centrale station by train or land at Pisa Airport, the city center’s palaces and museums are never far away. Each one is a reminder that Pisa is worth visiting not just for its famous tower, but for the layers of art, history, and culture waiting to be discovered around every corner.
The Weekly Market: Piazza delle Vettovaglie
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Pisan cuisine reflects the city's unique position between sea and countryside. You'll find dishes that combine fresh seafood from the nearby coast with the hearty flavors of inland Tuscany. The city's restaurants range from simple osterie serving traditional recipes to innovative places where young chefs experiment with local ingredients.
Local specialties include cecina, a thin pancake made from chickpea flour that's cooked in wood-fired ovens. Street vendors sell it hot from the oven, often stuffed into fresh focaccia bread. It's simple food that satisfies in a way that expensive dishes sometimes don't. The combination of textures and flavors represents the kind of culinary innovation that comes from necessity rather than fancy techniques.
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The aperitivo culture here feels more relaxed than in larger cities. Instead of rushing through drinks before dinner, Pisans treat the evening aperitivo as a social ritual. The best spots cluster around Piazza Garibaldi and the streets leading toward the university district. These aren't fancy cocktail bars but neighborhood places where conversation matters more than elaborate drink recipes.
Local wine bars offer wine tasting experiences featuring regional varieties. The selection often includes lesser-known labels from small producers who've been making wine for generations. These tastings provide insight into the agricultural traditions that still shape life in this part of Tuscany.
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On Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, Piazza delle Vettovaglie (known in English as "Supply Square" for its role as a traditional local produce market) transforms into one of Tuscany’s most authentic food markets. This isn’t a tourist attraction designed for visitors. It’s where locals shop for their weekly groceries, creating a sensory experience that reveals the rhythms of Italian domestic life.
The market vendors know their customers personally. They recommend seasonal produce based on family sizes and cooking preferences. They share recipes and cooking tips as they wrap purchases. You’ll see elderly women selecting vegetables with the expertise of professional chefs. You’ll see young mothers negotiating with fishmongers about the day’s freshest catch.
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The conversations at the market provide a window into local concerns and celebrations. Vendors discuss weather patterns that affect crops. They recommend recipes for seasonal ingredients. They share neighborhood gossip and family news. This is where you realize that food shopping in Italy remains a social activity, not just a chore.
Giardino Scotto: A Fortress Turned Urban Oasis
When most people think of Pisa, their minds jump straight to the iconic Leaning Tower and the city’s rich cultural heritage. But if you pause for a moment and wander just beyond the bustling city center, you’ll discover a side of Pisa that’s lush, tranquil, and surprisingly green. These gardens and parks are the city’s best-kept secrets, places where locals go to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with nature, all within sight of historic buildings and the gentle curve of the Arno River.
Pisa is also home to a city park that blends history and leisure, featuring ancient aqueducts, playgrounds, and picnic areas. This park serves as both a natural retreat and a site of historical significance, offering visitors a unique way to experience the city’s cultural heritage.
In a city famous for its architectural wonders, these green spaces offer a different kind of miracle. They’re where the rhythm of everyday life slows down, and the beauty of the Tuscan landscape quietly asserts itself. Whether you’re seeking a break from sightseeing or simply want to see how Pisans enjoy their city, these gardens are worth visiting, and might just become your favorite memory of Pisa.
Tucked away just a few minutes’ walk from Pisa Centrale train station, the Orto Botanico di Pisa is a living testament to the city’s long-standing love affair with science and nature. Founded in 1543, this is the oldest university botanical garden in Europe, and stepping inside feels like entering a secret world where time moves at its own pace.
The garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its collection is as diverse as it is historic. You’ll find medicinal herbs that once supplied the city’s apothecaries, rare flowers from distant continents, and ancient trees that have witnessed centuries of change. The greenhouses, with their steamy glass panes, shelter tropical plants that seem almost magical in the heart of Tuscany.
Wandering the peaceful paths, you’ll hear the distant hum of the city fade away, replaced by birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves. Benches invite you to sit and watch the play of sunlight on water lilies, or to simply breathe in the scent of blooming jasmine. It’s a place where students come to study, artists to sketch, and travelers to rest their feet after exploring the city’s more famous sights.
The Orto Botanico is more than just a garden, it’s a living museum, a sanctuary, and a reminder that Pisa’s wonders aren’t limited to marble and stone. Its proximity to the train station makes it an easy stop for anyone arriving at Pisa Centrale, and its quiet beauty is the perfect counterpoint to the energy of the city center.
If you follow the Arno River just a short distance from the heart of Pisa, you’ll stumble upon Giardino Scotto, a place where history and nature intertwine in the most unexpected way. Once a formidable fortress guarding the city, today Giardino Scotto is an urban oasis beloved by locals and visitors alike.
The garden’s medieval walls now cradle lush lawns, flowering trees, and shaded paths that invite you to linger. From certain vantage points, you can catch glimpses of the river glinting in the sunlight, framed by the silhouettes of Pisa’s historic buildings. Children play beneath ancient stone towers, while couples stroll hand in hand, savoring the peace that settles here in the late afternoon.
Giardino Scotto isn’t just a park, it’s a gathering place. Throughout the year, it hosts open-air concerts, art exhibitions, and community festivals that showcase Pisa’s vibrant cultural scene. Even on quiet days, you’ll find locals reading on benches, friends sharing a picnic, or artists capturing the interplay of old stone and new growth.
Easily reached by public transport and just a few minutes from Centrale train station, Giardino Scotto is the perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing. It’s a reminder that Pisa’s story is written not only in its monuments, but also in the green spaces where life unfolds at a gentler pace.
Whether you’re drawn by the history of the Orto Botanico, the relaxed charm of Giardino Scotto, or simply the desire to see a different side of Pisa, these gardens are well worth visiting. They offer a fresh perspective on a city best known for its Leaning Tower, and prove that sometimes, the most memorable moments happen when you step off the well-trodden path and into the shade of a quiet garden.
San Rossore: The Presidential Park
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Just twenty minutes from the city center, Marina di Pisa offers a completely different perspective on the region. This coastal area combines beach relaxation with natural beauty, creating the perfect escape when the summer heat makes city walking uncomfortable. The beach here isn't the glamorous Riviera type. Instead, it has a working-class authenticity that feels refreshing after the tourist intensity of the city center.
Local families come here on weekends, bringing picnic lunches and spending entire days swimming and playing in the sand. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. Children build sandcastles while their parents chat with neighbors. Teenagers gather in groups, flirting and showing off. Elderly couples walk along the waterline, holding hands and remembering when they were young.
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The pine trees behind the beach offer hiking trails that wind through Mediterranean vegetation. These paths provide shade during hot weather and lead to viewpoints where you can see both the sea and the distant outline of Pisa's towers. The contrast between maritime and urban landscapes within such a small area demonstrates the geographical diversity of this region.
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San Rossore, the former estate of Italian royalty and now a presidential residence, opens its gates to visitors seeking nature experiences near Pisa. The park contains diverse ecosystems, from coastal dunes to inland forests, that support wildlife populations rarely seen in urban areas.
The park's hiking trails range from easy walks suitable for families to longer routes that challenge experienced hikers. Along the way, you might spot wild boar, deer, and numerous bird species. The landscape changes dramatically as you move from coastal areas toward inland forests, creating a sense of wilderness that seems impossible so close to the city.
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The park also contains historical sites, including ruins of medieval settlements and World War II memorials. These remnants remind visitors that this seemingly natural landscape has been shaped by human activity for centuries. The combination of natural beauty and historical significance makes San Rossore feel like an outdoor museum.
The City Walls: Medieval Fortifications
Pisa's architectural heritage extends far beyond the famous monuments in Piazza dei Miracoli. The city contains dozens of beautiful buildings that demonstrate the evolution of Italian architecture over nearly a thousand years. The Romanesque style, which reached its peak in Pisa during the 11th and 12th centuries, can be seen throughout the historic center.
The Chiesa di San Michele in Borgo exemplifies Pisan Romanesque architecture on a more intimate scale than the cathedral. This church, built in the 11th century, features the characteristic blind arcades and geometric patterns that define the style. The façade tells stories through its sculptural details, including religious scenes and symbolic animals that would have been easily readable to medieval viewers.
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These historical buildings aren't museum pieces frozen in time. They remain active parts of the city's daily life. Religious services continue in medieval churches. University departments occupy Renaissance palaces. Local organizations use historic spaces for community events. This ongoing use helps preserve the buildings while keeping them relevant to contemporary life.
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The Mura di Pisa, the city walls that once protected the medieval city, provide a unique perspective on urban development. These fortifications, built in the 12th century, enclosed a much larger area than the current city center. This reveals how Pisa’s population and importance have changed over the centuries.
Walking along the walls offers elevated views of the city and surrounding countryside. The path takes you through quiet neighborhoods where modern life continues within the medieval street pattern. You’ll see how contemporary residents have adapted historic buildings for modern use while maintaining their essential character.
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The walls also contain several towers that served as defensive positions during medieval conflicts. Notably, Torre Santa Maria is a historic tower that visitors can access, offering panoramic views from the walls and serving as a family-friendly landmark. These structures now house museums, cultural centers, and even private residences. The transformation of military architecture into civilian use demonstrates how cities adapt historic structures for changing needs.
Arriving in Pisa
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Pisa Centrale train station serves as the main transportation hub for the region. Even if you only have a few hours in Pisa, you can easily experience the city's main attractions. The station connects directly to Florence, Rome, and other major Italian cities