A holiday in Tuscany is never the same twice: even if you return every year, it will be a different experience each time. A great way to guarantee novelty during your visit to Italy is to go beyond the borders of the big cities. One way to go from Florence to Milan, for example, is to first venture west tothe famous city of Pisa. The route follows the flow of the Arno River toward the Mediterranean Sea. Transfers from Florence to Pisa take less than two hours. Here are some ideas for what to do in Pisa on your guided tours and transfers in Tuscany.
Torre Pendente: Leaning Tower
Most people think of only one thing when they hear the word Pisa: the city’s iconic Leaning Tower. Certainly, the tower is the highlight of any visit to Pisa, and a picture of yourself pretending to prop up the slanted landmark dating back to 1173 may be a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. It is also possible to climb the stairs in the tower’s interior, although tickets must be purchased in advance and admission is limited. But there is much more to the city than the Leaning Tower, which is a UNESCO’s World Heritage site.
Baptistry
If you would rather have a view of the Leaning Tower rather than a view from the Leaning Tower, visit the giant domed Battistero. The view from the top is unforgettable. But it is more than the view that impresses: there is a magical echo effect of sounds inside the structure. Sound travels around the walls creating a unique kind of music from the human voice.
Duomo di Pisa: Pisa Cathedral
The Pisa Cathedral is a stunning structure of gray and white stone and marble, easily as impressive as the nearby tower despite its more limited fame. Visiting the cathedral is free, but your time inside is limited to accommodate the masses of people who want to catch a glimpse of the Romanesque masterpiece and the art inside, including a mosaic by Cimabue.
Festivals
Pisa was built by the Romans many centuries ago and was a powerful port town. The ancient palaces that line the banks of the Arno near Pisa recall the city’s rich past — and it was both a literal and figurative richness. If you find yourself in Pisa in June, you will be delighted to catch the Luminaria festival. On this night, the lights along the Arno are dimmed so that more than 10,000 candles can illuminate the night. Fireworks blossom in the sky on the same evening, which commemorates the patron saint of Pisa, San Ranieri.