The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the more well-known landmarks of Europe, right up there with the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and Big Ben. So it is no wonder that so many people make seeing the city of Pisa a priority when in Tuscany, flocking to the base of the tower to take those pictures of them pretending to hold up the structure (reeeeal original, guys…except yeah, I also took a few). There’s more to see in Pisa than just the Leaning Tower, though, and I’d recommend this city as a pitstop for anyone traveling through Italy.
Where it is
Pisa is along the western coast of Italy about 20 minutes inland, and an hour or two via car or bus from Florence. We stopped at Pisa for a couple of hours on our journey between Florence and Nice, France on our European road trip.
Why It’s Worth a Visit
The Leaning Tower is the obvious draw of Pisa, construction of which was started in the twelfth century and continued until the 1300s, the tilt partially corrected and stabilized between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This is enough of a reason to go — a classic bucket list item.
There are other reasons to visit Pisa, however. There are restaurants, more opportunities for gelato consumption, Santa Maria della Spina along the Arno River waterfront, and of course, Piazza dei Miracoli, which is just as awesome and exciting of a landmark as the Tower. Marvel at the duomo, as well as the façade, with its beautiful white marble architecture.
I would also recommend walking through the cathedral because the inside is GLORIOUS, and is ironically overshadowed by a bell tower that is considered a complete architectural failure. LOL poor Piazza dei Miracoli architects. I appreciate you and your not-flawed work, guys.
Pisa is the perfect city to visit either on your way in or out of Italy, as it is very close to the border between Italy and France (Italy and France would be a great trip to do at once — sooo much to see in between these two beautiful places!). I am glad that I got to stop at least for a little bit, and get that classic, perfectly placed photo of me single-handedly keeping the tower from plummeting to the ground.
italygrid
