5 reasons to visit Pisa

Laughing woman tourist holding slice of pizza in Pisa

The famous leaning tower isn’t the only reason to visit Pisa. Here are our top things to do in the city…

1. Sample Tuscan wines

Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy.August 2021. Close up shot of bottles with cruet for tasting in a typical local wine shop.
Tuscany is an ideal spot for wine tasting. Photo © Massimo Parisi/Adobe Stock

Wine aplenty is to be found at Bacchus Enoteca (Via Mascagni) and, as Tuscany is one of Italy’s most famous wine-producing regions, you can be sure of sampling something special.

From Super Tuscans to something a little less damaging to your wallet, you’ll be able to experience the wealth of the Tuscan wine experience.

The shop also sells a few gourmet food products.

2. Visit Pisa’s finest pasticceria

many kind of little pastries with cream, chocolate and fruit
You might find Pisa’s sweet treats hard to resist. Photo © angelo.gi/Adobe Stock

The sweet-toothed will have a good time at Pasticceria Salza on Borgo Stretto.

Cakes, chocolates and other dolci have been perfected here since 1898, and they have it down to a fine art – a glimpse through the window will tell you all you need to know.

3. Browse the markets in Pisa

italian market to visit in pisa
Vibrant food markets aren’t the only stalls to visit in Pisa. Photo © Lumixera/Adobe Stock

Markets are something Pisa does very well.

Piazza delle Vettovaglie hosts a fantastic and colourful food market that runs daily until 1.30pm, selling fresh local and Italian produce.

And food isn’t the only shopping to be done when you visit Pisa. Look out for ceramics stalls, clothes markets and antiques sales.

4. Take an iconic photo

Portrait of happy young woman tourist traveler in front of leaning tower of Pisa, Italy at evening time
The leaning tower of Pisa will be much quieter if you visit at night. Photo © EdNurg/Adobe Stock

Pisa’s most famous landmark, the Leaning Tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli, is beautiful, if at times over-run by tourists.

If the queues are long, wait for the evening for a peaceful night panorama.

Head away from the piazza for food – good bets are Borgo Stretto and Via Oberdan.

5. Enjoy local food

Scenic avenue of pine trees in the Natural Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli. Near Pisa, in Tuscany, Italy.
San Rossore pine forest, near Pisa, is famous for its delicious pine nuts. Photo © Mushy/Adobe Stock

Pisa is, after all, in Tuscany, so you can be sure of enjoying a wide array of local food.

Nearby Parco di Migliarino in San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, is the source of much of the fine fare cooked up in the city.

Look out for produce such as pine nuts, honey and Chianina beef.

Discover more places to visit in our travel archives

Featured photo © Alliance/Adobe Stock