This was published 6 years ago
Tip and things to do in Pisa, Italy: A three-minute guide
Pisa Cathedral complex in the Piazza del Duomo and the Leaning Tower.Credit: Alamy
WHY?
If it wasn't for a certain tower, Pisa would be talked about as a relatively unsung university city that's an absolute joy to nosy around and hang out in. However, the Leaning Tower is a giant tour bus magnet that sees phenomenal herds pour in for the photo opportunity, often for just an hour or so.
The real surprise is the contrast between the vaguely hellish hubbub around the Tower, and the convivial buzz pretty much everywhere else. And the latter is worth staying around for.
VISIT
The Leaning Tower isn't a standalone thing. It belongs to the cathedral complex in the Piazza del Duomo – and the art-packed, striped marble cathedral and oddly nipple-shaped baptistry are more interesting to go inside.
The art continues with the frescoes in cloistered cemetery the Camposanto, and the Museo delle Sinopie opposite. See www.opapisa.net.
EAT
Obviously, the restaurants within sight of the tower are pretty darned bad. But you only have to walk five minutes down Via Santa Maria to find some highly appealing alternatives. These include the colourful, friendly Il Peperoncino, where pasta and pizza dishes cost under €10 – the mammoth calzone is a good bet. Splashing out on the €18 grilled beef fillet with honey and balsamic vinegar sauce is worth the investment, though. See www.ilpeperoncinoristorante.it
LOOK
Just south of the Piazza del Duomo is the university's Botanic Garden on Via Luca Ghini. It claims to be the oldest in the world – something Padua disputes – but it's a gorgeously peaceful collection of carefully labelled plants and trees from around the world. The bamboo grove is the biggest eye-catcher, but there are also some real oddities in the tropical greenhouses.
MUST
The Leaning Tower is arguably only the third most impressive thing in the Piazza del Duomo, but bucket lists have to be ticked. To do this by actually climbing up the tower, you'll almost certainly need to book online in advance. Go for an early morning booking to avoid the worst of the crowds.
You can genuinely feel the lean while woozily ascending the 293-step spiral staircase, and the views from the galleries at the top are pretty cool. See www.opapisa.it.
SLEEP
The Hotel Relais dell'Orologio is the best address in town, and one with oodles of character. It's a 14th-century building from Pisa's heyday, with balconies overlooking a gorgeous central garden, and rooms are lavished in fresco-style wall paintings. Doubles cost from €94 ($141). See www.hotelrelaisorologio.com.
TIP
Pisa's airport is the main hub for Tuscany, and it is weirdly close to the city centre. You're in the heart of things within a 1.6-kilometre walk from the terminal – getting a taxi is pointless unless you're heavily laden with bags.
More information: See www.turismo.pisa.it.
David Whitley travelled at his own expense.
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