Pisa and its leaning tower, a place not to be missed when planning a trip to Italy. We recommend even to Visit PISA with kids!
Although Pisa has a lot to offer and one can easily spend some days in the area, we will concentrate in this blog article only about the area where the leaning Tower of Pisa stands.
Is the leaning Tower of Pisa an overrated tourist attraction or would you say it is a worthwhile destination?
Regardless if you think Pisa is overrated or worthwhile, fact is the leaning tower of Pisa is one of the 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy. And that surely is worth a trip.
Honestly, the leaning Tower of Pisa and its Piazza de Miracoli is and stays a world famous Landmark. And a stop was perfect whilst being on our Tuscany road trip.
The architectural art work is beautiful and the whole area can be a lot of fun by doing silly poses in front of this icon of Italy.
Where is Pisa – Italy?
Located just an hour away from Florence and the Cinque Terre by train, it is very easy to see Pisa and its leaning tower from either of these locations.
Pisa can also be easily added to your holiday itinerary whilst exploring the beautiful Italian Riviera.
Pisa is also a great addition on any Rome itinerary, whether you only have One day in Rome or more. And if you are staying longer in the area, you also want to check out the beautiful beach near Pisa.
How long should you spend in Pisa with kids?
You probably do not need more than half a day when visiting Pisa with kids. We incorporated the visit on our journey south to Tuscany. The only reason why you might need more time is, if you do not get a slot to climb the leaning tower of Pisa within the morning of your visit.
Therefore I suggest, go straight to the entry gate of the tower and see when the next time slot is. This way you will not loos precious time.
Free Parking in Pisa
- Via Pietrasantina : walking distance to the centre. Bus transfer available to the Square of Miracles and city center.
- Via Pratale : close to the Stadium area. Walking distance to the city center. Bus transfer available.
- Via Paparelli : outside the city walls. Walking distance to the city center and the Pisa Tower (about 1 km). Bus transfer available. Not available on Wednesday and Saturday due to the weekly market. This is very large place and the tour-buses also use this area.
When you arrive from the free car park you have to walk through some market stands which are ALL pretty much selling the same thing. I wonder if they are all making money. Pinocchio is super famous in this area and you can buy the figure in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and of course models of the leaning Tower of Pisa. Honestly probably the worst souvenir presents you can ever buy. From the market you will reach the GATE, and I believe not a single person enters the Grande Gate without an ahhh or a wow!
Piazza dei Miracoli, history right in front of you
Set over an ample green field, four of the whiter-than-white masterpieces of grandiose Medieval art.
- The renowned Campanile/ Leaning Tower
- The Camposanto (the graveyard)
- The Baptristy of St. John
- The Cathedral – Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta
Due to their unique style of the Baptristy and the Cathedral, their creation gave origin to a new style, “Pisan Romanesque“.
“The temple of marble white as the snow”.
As you enter everybody respects the “do not step on the grass” panels and the view of these amazing masterpieces is pretty much uninterrupted. Everyone is attempting to pose for the official “I am holding the tower of Pisa” photo. I guess a MUST when you are there. Here are our masterpieces.
And another one just because we can!
Ultimately, the real symbol of Pisa and without doubt the most famous is the Campanile, the Leaning Tower, that completes the image of this city.
A bit of Pisa History
Because of land sinkage beneath it, the Tower stands at a significant incline – this sinkage impeded its very construction to a great extent. It was started in 1173, taken up again in 1275, and not completed until the second half of the 1300s.
If you wish to tackle the 294 steps up the spiral staircase of the most famous tower in the world and visit the interior of the absolute breathtaking Cathedral, you can purchase a ticket for 20 Euros.- The tickets have a time allocated for when you are allowed to climb up the leaning tower of Pisa.
There are a restricted number of persons allowed at any given time. It was very well organized and the queue did not take too long, even though it looks like it will.
This time I went up the tower whilst my husband went for a well-deserved ice cream with the kids. If it would have been a bit less hot we would have probably taken the kids up the tower, but felt it was best not too.
When you climb up the tower you really feel the changing gravity. Cool but strange.
Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta – Pisa
The Cathedral had a longer line, but again it was ok when we visited in the middle of June.
There is so much history in this just absolutely gorgeous masterpiece. How on earth where they able to build this? Imposing, loud yet so peaceful. Definitely a place to visit if you like to be awed!
Next to the Cathedral on the side of the Piazza dei Miracoli they seem to be more relaxed as many people where just sitting and even picnicking on the grass and enjoying the amazing architecture. The kids had a good run around and we could well and truly say, that this was well worth the visit.
Guide to Italy
- Best Beaches on Elba Island
- 9 Days Tuscany & Liguria Road trip with the kids
- 3 Tuscan Villages you should not miss
- Best way to visit Florence in a day with kids
- 26 Amazing photos through Otranto’s old town
- Lecce – 11 Amazing family activities not to be missed
I hope that the information provided here when you are planning to Visit Pisa with kids will prove itself useful.
If I have left anything out, please ask your questions in the comments below and share your experience, so that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries and stories as well
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