Traveling from Florence to the Cinque Terre? Here’s how to stop in Pisa to see and climb the Leaning Tower in just a couple of hours, without derailing your travel day.
If you’re traveling between Florence and the Cinque Terre, Pisa is one of the easiest and most worthwhile stops you can add to your itinerary. In just 1 to 2 hours, you can see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, explore the Square of Miracles, and be back on the train.
We visited Pisa while traveling from Florence to the Cinque Terre and found it surprisingly simple to do.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to plan a smooth Pisa day trip, whether you’re coming from Florence, heading to La Spezia, or just want to see the Leaning Tower without spending a full day here.
The Essentials
LOCATION | Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
GETTING HERE | 1 hour train from Florence
TIME NEEDED | 1 to 3 hours
CLIMBING THE TOWER | 30 minutes (251 steps)
TICKET COST | €20 to climb
BOOK AHEAD | Yes, especially April through October
February 2026 Update: Confirmed hours and pricing for 2026, added new photos, and added more information to the how-to section of this guide.
The Best Way to Visit Pisa (Our Experience)
We visited Pisa as a stop between Florence and the Cinque Terre. We took an early morning train from Florence, stored our luggage at Pisa Centrale, walked to the Square of Miracles, visited the Leaning Tower, and then continued on to La Spezia by train that afternoon.
Total stop time: about 2 hours
Extra travel time added to our day: minimal
If you’re already traveling between these destinations, or if you simply want to day trip to Pisa from Florence, this is a very efficient way to see Pisa without dedicating an entire day to it.
How to Visit Pisa on a Day Trip from Florence
Where is Pisa?
Located just an hour away from Florence and the Cinque Terre by train, it is very easy to see Pisa from either of these locations and even easier when traveling between the two.
Step 1: Take an Early Train from Florence to Pisa (1 Hour)
Taking a train is the easiest way to get to Pisa. Most people visit Pisa as a day trip from Florence, leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon.
Direct trains from Florence take between 1 hour and 1 hour and 11 minutes, depending on the speed of the train. These trains run roughly every 20 to 30 minutes.
Use the Trenitalia or ItaliaRail websites to look up train timetables and fares.
Step 2: Store Your Luggage at Pisa Centrale (If Needed)
If you’re traveling with bags, store them at the deposito bagagli inside Pisa Centrale station. This allows you to explore the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles without dragging luggage through town.
If you are visiting Pisa as a day trip from Florence (without continuing on to the Cinque Terre), you can skip this step, since you won’t have luggage.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Don’t have enough time to get off the train? You can see the Leaning Tower of Pisa (briefly) from the train while traveling between Florence and La Spezia.
Step 3: Walk to the Leaning Tower of Pisa (20–25 Minutes)
From Pisa Centrale, it’s about a 20–25 minute walk to the Leaning Tower. The route is straightforward and flat, but if you’re short on time, taxis are available and cost roughly €10 one way.
Below is a map of the walking route.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Step 4: Spend 1–2 Hours at the Square of Miracles
Plan to spend about 1 to 2 hours visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This gives you time to snap the iconic photos, climb the tower (allow 30 minutes), and, if you wish, briefly explore the cathedral and baptistery.
Step 5: Continue by Train to La Spezia (1 Hour)
When you’re ready, return to Pisa Centrale. If you are traveling on to the Cinque Terre, board the train to La Spezia, the gateway to the Cinque Terre. The journey takes about one hour, and trains depart frequently throughout the day.
Or, return to Florence, if you are doing this as a day trip from Florence.
How Long Does it Take to Visit Pisa?
Once at the Leaning Tower, it only takes several minutes to take those goofy photos.
If you plan to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it takes about 30 minutes.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is just one part of the Duomo Complex, which also includes the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Camposanto, and the Opera del Duomo Museum and Sinopie Museum.
If you plan to visit the entire Duomo Complex, your visit will last 2 to 3 hours.
If you plan to snap some photos with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and climb the tower, your visit will last 1 to 1.5 hours.
Climbing the Tower
There are 251 steps to top of the tower. Climbing the tower is not difficult but some people report feeling dizzy or getting vertigo from climbing the tight, spiral staircase at an incline.
If you plan to climb the tower, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the top.
During peak season, purchase your tickets in advance. This allows you to schedule a designated time and avoid waiting in line. If you do not have pre-purchased tickets, you run the risk of not being able to climb the tower on the day of your visit.
Tickets to climb the tower cost €20 per person. You can purchase tickets 90 days before your visit. For more information, check out the official website, which also includes a link to the online ticket center.
Children under 8 years old are not allowed to climb the tower.
If tickets are sold out for the date you will be here, you can also get a ticket through GetYourGuide or join one of these skip-the-line tours.
What Else to See in the Square of Miracles
The Square of Miracles is another name for the Duomo Complex.
The buildings on this square include the Leaning Tower of Pisa (aka the Tower), the cathedral, the baptistery, the Camposanto, the Sinopie Museum, and the Opera del Duomo Museum.
The Baptistery
Ticket Types and Hours of Operation
Combined Ticket: €27 which includes everything: the tower, cathedral, baptistery, Camposanto, and both museums
Tower: €20, which includes the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the cathedral
Complete Visit: €11, which includes the cathedral, baptistery, Camposanto, and both museums. Even though it is called the Complete ticket, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE TOWER.
Cathedral + One Site: €8; for 8 euros, you can visit the cathedral plus one other site, choosing between the baptistery, Camposanto, Opera del Duomo Museum or Sinopie Museum. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE TOWER.
For more information about these tickets, and to purchase your ticket online in advance, visit the official website.
Tickets can also be purchased on GetYourGuide, should you prefer that platform.
Hours of Operation
With the exception of the cathedral, the sites at the Duomo Complex open at 9 am and close between 6 and 7 pm and the tower can stay open as late as 10 pm in the summer.
The cathedral is generally open from 10 am to 6 pm. Hours vary a lot by season, so get updated hours for your visit on the official website.
Is Pisa Worth a Stop Between Florence and Cinque Terre?
We really visiting the Leaning Tower. It was easy to do, since the train zips right past Pisa on the journey between Florence and La Spezia. And it really doesn’t take much time, if you simply want to snap a few photos and climb the tower. Plus, it is a very recognizable landmark in Italy, so our kids loved it.
Yes, if:
- It’s your first trip to Italy
- You want to climb the Leaning Tower
- You have 2 to 3 flexible hours
Skip it if:
- You’re short on time
- You’ve already seen it
- You don’t want to deal with the hassle of storing luggage in the train station and the walk/taxi ride to and from the Square of Miracles.
Interesting Facts About the Leaning Tower of Pisa
It took almost 200 years to build the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The tower began leaning even before construction was finished. The upper levels of the tower were built at an angle to offset the lean. If you look closely at photographs, you can see that the tower has a slight curve to it.
The tower and cathedral were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
In 2008, engineers declared that the Leaning Tower of Pisa had stopped moving. The tower should remain stable for the next 300 years.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Make It a Full Day: Add Lucca
A day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa from Florence takes half a day.
If you have more time, consider pairing Pisa with Lucca for a full-day trip from Florence.
Lucca is a charming walled city just 30 minutes from Pisa by train and offers a completely different experience: quiet streets, Renaissance walls, and relaxed Tuscan charm.
A simple plan is to visit Pisa in the morning (1–2 hours), then take a short train ride to Lucca for lunch and an afternoon exploring the historic center or biking the city walls. This turns your quick Pisa stop into a well-balanced Tuscany day without feeling rushed.
For step-by-step details, see our One Day in Pisa and Lucca itinerary ↓
You also have the option to join a tour. You can either take a half day tour from Florence or combine the visit to Pisa with a quick visit to Tuscany.
Day Trip Tours of Pisa
More Day Trips from Florence
Pisa is one of the easiest day trips from Florence, especially if you’re continuing on to the Cinque Terre. Other popular day trip options include Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, and Bologna.
For a full list of ideas and how to plan them, see our guide to the Best Day Trips from Florence ↓
15 Day Trips from Florence + How to Plan Them
Siena, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Volterra, Pienza, Arezzo, the Cinque Terre, and more.If you have any questions about how to plan your day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, let us know in the comment section below.
Explore More of Italy
We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, and Puglia.
Italy Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Italy
Italy Travel Guide Italy is home to some of the world’s best food, wine, and art. Add in gorgeous coastlines, beautiful beaches, world-class fashion, phenomenal hiking trails, villas in Tuscany, and gelato, and you have the ingredients for an epic vacation. Italy is a favorite destination for many travelers for a very good reason. Come […]
Things to Do in Lucca, Italy: Best Sights, Tips & More
Lucca is one of Tuscany’s most rewarding cities to visit. While Florence gets the crowds and Pisa gets the selfies, Lucca has a charm that’s entirely its own: Renaissance city walls you can walk or bike, medieval towers rising above the rooftops, and a piazza built inside a Roman amphitheater. What we loved most was […]
San Gimignano: Best Things to Do & Photo Tour
San Gimignano is famous for its hilltop setting and medieval towers. In fact, one of the best things to do on a visit to San Gimignano is to climb one or more of these towers for a breathtaking view of Tuscany. It’s also a wonderful place to go shopping and dine on local foods. San […]
Planning to Hike the Cinque Terre? Here’s What to Know for 2026
The Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most iconic coastal hikes, connecting five colorful villages by cliffside trails overlooking the Mediterranean. Here’s exactly how to hike the Cinque Terre from Riomaggiore to Monterosso, including trail closures, ticket costs, one-way rules, and what to expect in 2026. We hiked the entire route as a family. Our […]
Tuscany Bucket List: 22 Best Things to Do in Tuscany
Tuscany, with its hilltop towns, breathtaking landscapes, long list of vineyards, and famous cities such as Florence, Pisa, and Siena, is one of Italy’s most visited regions. But did you also know that you can go canyoneering, relax in a hot spring, or visit an island in Tuscany? In this guide, we list 22 of […]
2 Days in Florence Itinerary: Best Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
If you are planning your first trip to Florence, this Florence itinerary is perfect for you. With 2 days in Florence, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of this beautiful city. Tour the Uffizi Gallery, climb the dome of the Duomo, see Michelangelo’s David, stroll across Ponte Vecchio, and watch the sunset […]
Best Rooftop Bars in Florence with a View of the Duomo
Visiting a rooftop bar or two (or three!) is one of the best things to do in Florence. If you want drinks with a view of the Duomo, you have quite a few rooftop bars in Florence to choose from. In this guide, we cover the top picks and practical information so you can choose […]
10 Days in Italy Itinerary: 5 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Italy
Italy is a country that is on many travelers’ wish list. And why not? Italy has it all: fabulous cuisine, gorgeous cities, towering mountains and beautiful beaches, and ancient historical sites. Throw in some gelato and wine and you have the perfect ingredients for a memorable 10-day holiday in Europe. If you have 10 days […]
Milan Day Trip: One Day Itinerary from Florence, Venice & Cinque Terre
Milan makes a surprisingly easy and rewarding stop between Florence, Venice, and the Cinque Terre. With high-speed trains and compact sightseeing, you can see the Duomo, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, and stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, all in just a few hours. Milan also co-hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics, bringing the world […]
The Perfect Tuscany Itinerary for 3 Days, 5 Days & One Week
If you are planning your Tuscany itinerary, there are a lot of things to consider. How long should you spend here? Where should you stay? Should you rent a car? What towns are worth visiting? We have visited Tuscany twice. The first time was in July 2014. We spent a week in Tuscany, spending a […]
16 Amazing Things to Do in Arezzo (+ Map & Photos)
With its grand piazzas, hilltop views, and medieval buildings and streets, Arezzo is one of the prettiest towns in Tuscany. On a visit here, you can fill your time by visiting the churches and art museums, enjoying the views from the fortress, shopping for antiques, and learning about jousting. In this guide, we cover the […]
Volterra, Italy: Best Things to Do, Map & HELPFUL Tips
Volterra is a hilltop town that is located in Tuscany, Italy. It’s one of the larger hill towns to visit in Tuscany and can keep you busy all day, with its list of museums, archeological sites, restaurants, shops, and stunning views over Tuscany. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Volterra […]
One Perfect Day in Siena, Italy | A Detailed Itinerary
Siena is easy to visit if you only have one day since it is a compact city with just a few big sites. With one day in Siena, visit the Duomo, get one of the best views in Italy from the Torre del Mangia, wander the historic old town, and dine at one of many […]
Top 10 Things to Do in Montepulciano, Italy
Perched on a hilltop, overlooking the rolling hills of Tuscany, sits Montepulciano. This medieval town, with its underground wine cellars, medieval churches, and scenic streets, is a delight to explore. In this guide, we list the best things to do in Montepulciano, where to go wine tasting with a view of Val d’Orcia, and how […]
Lake Como Day Trip from Milan or Lugano: How to Plan the Perfect Visit
Lake Como is one of northern Italy’s most breathtaking day trips. In just one well-planned day, you can ferry between Bellagio and Varenna, cruise past famous villas, and experience the most scenic stretch of the lake without changing hotels. We visited Lake Como as a day trip from Lugano in late June, navigating the ferry […]
Comments 32