Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Pisa?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Pisa?

Most people spend one to three days in Pisa during their visit. The world-famous city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene.

Pisa is a world-famous city that's located in the region of Tuscany. While most people will recognize its famous Leaning Tower, the city itself has many beautiful buildings and a wonderful atmosphere. There are lively squares, a beautiful cathedral, and world class restaurants. The city is also home to a world renowned university.

Do you have one or two days to visit Pisa? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Pisa?

The city of Pisa boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to explore the museums and famous sights, learn about the history of the town, sample the delicious cuisine, and take advantage of the local nightlife. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for one to three days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Pisa

When visiting Pisa, you absolutely can't miss the Leaning Tower of Pisa as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

A few tour suggestions include:

Pisa Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience ($102)
Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa ($97)
Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket (option) ($50)

Pisa is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city is a great place to explore on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Pisa?

Many visitors spend a weekend in Pisa, as this is a good amount of time to see the world-famous city's major attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the cuisine. If you have a weekend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

How to spend 2 days in Pisa

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Pisa will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Pisa, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

A few tour suggestions include:

Pisa Bike Tour : Beyond the Leaning Tower ($24)
Private Pisa Discovery Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Access ($145)
Pisa all inclusive: Baptistery, Cathedral and Leaning Tower guided tour ($43)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

The public transit in Pisa is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Pisa, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.