Pisa with its Leaning Tower but also its squares, murals, fortified walls and natural park to fully discover a city that has many interesting things to offer
Do not stop at the Leaning Tower, but continue to visit Pisa with this list of ten places that will give you a different perspective of the Tuscan Pisa
The leaning Tower is the symbol of Pisa and the main subject of tourists’ pictures while on holiday there. The Leaning Tower, or bell tower, is the top attraction of Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles or Cathedral Square) along with the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery and the museums. You might have climbed the top of the tower and enjoyed its stunning views. Or maybe in your pictures you are pretending to “hold up“ the Leaning Tower, meanwhile enjoying other people taking similar pictures. If you move away from the crowds there is definitely more to discover than just the Leaning Tower.
Here are 10 Things to see or do in Pisa that will improve your visit to this beautiful city crossed by the Arno River. We have asked the locals and here are their suggestions:
1) Take a stroll or a run at Le Piagge park. If you are looking for a romantic walk, stretch your legs, or are simply looking for some shade where to let your kids play and burn some steam, this is Pisa’s getaway to relax and unwind. Escape the crowds and join in with the Pisani.
2) Pisa is home to one of the best and oldest Italian universities. A popular destination for its students is aperitivo or coffee in Piazza della Pera (the real name of this square is Piazza Gambacorti but nobody calls that). You can find a spot in one of the many coffee places and sit outdoors sipping a cocktail.
3) As you might have already learnt, Italians do love their piazze. Piazze or squares are the center of Italy’s public and social life and they are usually surrounded by beautiful buildings. Being Pisa a top university destination, a must see is Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights’ Square), an important political location during Pisa’s medieval life, then modified according to Renaissance’ tastes and today the location of Scuola Normale di Pisa, a higher university institution. Splendid by day, lively by night, when young students play music under the watchful eye of the statue of Cosimo I de Medici.
4) If you are in search for some romance, nothing beats a walk along the Arno River. Lungarni are the streets beside the Arno River that have been described in some of the works of Shelley and Byron, to mention a few. Hand in hand you can admire the historical buildings and churches on both sides of the river, you can enjoy your gelato, wait for the sunset and then visit one of the many little places along the Arno where live music is played.
5) Admire the Tuttomondo (All World) mural by Keith Haring painted on the rear wall of Sant’Antonio Abate Church. In 1989 Haring decided to create one of his artworks in Pisa following the proposal of an Italian university student. From the beginning, this artwork was meant to remain a permanent public display and its message is one of peace and harmony. The colorful mural still keeps its universal meaning today.
6) Looking for a place for a picnic? Follow the walls along the south bank of the Arno to reach the Giardino Scotto, a former fortress of Pisa turned into a public area. Its grassy area is used in the summer to host concerts, outdoor cinemas and plays as well as being a wedding venue.
7) Pisa is surrounded by ancient fortified walls and bastions that meant to protect the maritime republic of Pisa from enemies. Nowadays you can walk on its walls and climb up to a height of 11 meters. This is a unique opportunity to see Pisa’s architecture masterpieces from the top but also its hidden gems and panoramic views.
8) Pay a visit to Palazzo Blu on the Arno River bank. Palazzo Blu is a cultural center, a museum and a center for temporary exhibitions. The color of its façade might have been chosen to impress some Russian guests in the past. Its collection of paintings dates from the 14th to the 20th century. Check for temporary exhibitions, every year there is something worth visiting.
9) Have a bike ride at Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli park. This natural area is six kilometers away from Pisa and boasts beautiful sunsets, local fauna and flora, picnic areas, river mouths and a lake. It’s a combination of different areas and a beautiful location for all the family.
10) Last but not least, something to see in Pisa aside from its famous Leaning Tower is the local food and wine. Did we say see? You might as well taste it! Pisa’s cuisine is made of simple traditional but first-quality ingredients, like amazing olive oil, bread without salt and white wine. The traditional cuisine has plenty of mouthwatering options to pick from including: bordatino alla pisana, a sort of soup with beans and cabbage, a good cut of mucco pisano (local beef), a plate of wild boar with tagliatelle and baccalà fish (dried cod) cooked with tomatoes and leeks.
Finally, for anyone with a sweet tooth, trying torta coi bischeri is a must. It’s a delicious chocolate and rice tart topped with currants, candied fruits and pine nuts. In the past it was a tradition for traveling pilgrims to be offered a slice of this cake so we greatly suggest that visitors today do the same as it is sure to end your visit to Pisa on a high note.