Is a Day Trip Pisa Worth It?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an internationally iconic landmark that draws millions of visitors each year, but is a day trip to Pisa to see it worth the time? After our visit, we wanted to share the highs, lows, and our overall thoughts on whether a day trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa is worth it.

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Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Built in the 12th century and leaning from the start of construction, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world's most recognizable buildings. We were surprised to learn that the Tower is actually a bell tower for the church, not a grand edifice in its own right. From the start of construction, the weak foundation couldn’t support the Tower's weight, and it has been leaning ever since. The tilt has been stabilized in recent years, but it still leans at about four degrees. We love the choice not to straighten the leaning Tower entirely. Ya have to keep this international landmark iconic, right?

We highly recommend buying tickets in advance through Get Your Guide to secure timed entry to either climb to the top for $27 or enjoy the views from the ground for only $10. Times can sell out, so make sure to book early! Obviously, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the star of the show in Pisa, and for good reason. The Tower is over 800 years old and offers stunning views of Pisa and Tuscany. 

If you’re physically able and choose to climb up the tower’s 296 steps, you thankfully won’t be disappointed. The Tower can be challenging to climb because the staircase is narrow and spirals upward, making it difficult to navigate if other tourists are coming down while you’re going up. However, the climb is worth it once you reach the top.

The views from the top of the Tower are breathtaking. You can see the city of Pisa and the surrounding countryside, including the Tuscany region and distant mountains. This vantage point offers an excellent opportunity to take panoramic photos and admire the beauty of the Italian landscape. If you climb to the top, notice the Tower's tilt and how it affects the surrounding buildings and landscape. You can even use a measuring app to determine the angle of the tilt! We did it ourselves, and our phone measured a three-degree tilt. 

One thing to keep in mind when visiting the Tower and surrounding landmarks is that the area can get quite crowded, especially during peak tourist season. Though we went in April, which isn’t even peak season, it still felt very crowded, and we had to bob and weave around tour groups. Arrive early or very late to avoid the crowds and have a more pleasant experience. 

What Else Is There To Do?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the main attraction, but your ticketed entry also includes a few other stops. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a beautiful Romanesque-style church with intricate details and stunning artwork. The baptistry is another notable building, with its impressive dome and ornate decoration. The baptistry is the largest in Italy and was once used for religious ceremonies, though it isn’t anymore. All buildings are within a stone’s throw of each other.

Outside the Piazza del Duomo, where the Tower and other famous structures stand, you can find the beautiful Orto Botanico di Pisa (botanical gardens) and a few museums around the city, including the Palazzo Blu art museum and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. 

Day Trip, Hotel Stay, or Skip It?

If you’re planning a day trip to Pisa, you can easily see all the main attractions in about two hours. Most visitors come from Florence, Milan, or Rome, and it’s easy to see why. Since we had just visited Cinque Terre, we took the short, direct train from La Spezia. If you’re also taking the train in, the Pisa San Rossore station is closer to the Leaning Tower if you’d like to walk a short 10-minute walk directly there, but if you’re taking a high-speed train from a bigger station to Pisa Centrale, you’ll get to enjoy a brief view of the quaint city as you walk about 25 minutes to the Tower.  

So, is a day trip to Pisa worth the time? The answer is yes and no. Suppose you’re visiting Italy for less than two weeks. In that case, skip it and explore other incredible parts of the country, like Siena, Sorrento, or Ischia. While the city is beautiful, it shares many similarities with Florence in its infrastructure and location around the Arno River. So if you're looking for a change of scenery through a day trip to Pisa from Florence, you'll probably be disappointed. Also, outside the plaza where the Tower sits, there isn’t much to do.

However, suppose you’re visiting for two weeks or more. In that case, seeing this iconic landmark is worth the day trip, especially if you’re already in the area. The Leaning Tower is a world-famous landmark for a reason, and Pisa is a charming city worth exploring for a few hours.