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Paris Toolkit Visiting Leaning Tower of Pisa
Directions for Leaning Tower of Pisa and tour information
Pisa is a small city of about 90,000 people located about 83km (51 miles) west of Florence, and the beach resorts of the Tuscany coast to the west of Pisa.
It is well within the range of a day or even half day visit independently by public transport or a choice of tours available.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous structures in the world and for the majority of leisure visitors is the sole reason for visiting the city of Pisa.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in the Piazza dei Miracoli just north of the city centre. Although the Leaning Tower is the star, it is just one part of the Cathedral complex at Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracle Square).
One of the other significant tourist attractions in Pisa is the Cathedral (Duomo). Also part of the area is the Baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Sinopie Museum for which you can buy integrated tickets.
An in-depth history of the components that make up the square can be found on the official website.
Leaning Tower of Pisa opening times
The Pisa attractions are open all year round though opening hours are quite complex and seasonal.
The Leaning Tower has variable opening times depending on the time of year. From April to June it is 9am to 8pm, from June to September it is 8.30am to 10pm.
Shorter opening hours are in the winter season.
The other attractions are also open at similar times. For the full opening times, go to the official website linked at the top of the page.
What to see in Pisa
Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracle Square)
The Leaning Tower is the third oldest building on Piazza dei Miracoli; the Cathedral and Baptistery were first.
Much of the Piazza dei Miracoli is grassed over with walkways between the main monuments in the middle of the Piazza. Around the edge of the Piazza are museums, a visitor centre and ticket offices. There is also a left luggage facility.
The streets around Piazza dei Miracoli are full of restaurants.
The Cathedral (Duomo)
The Cathedral was started in the year 1063 by the great architect Buschetto, consecrated in the year 1118, even though still incomplete, by Pope Gelasius II.
In 1595 a great fire destroyed much of the fine art within and original doors.
The Cathedral (Duomo) is open to tourists and entrance is free. If you wish to visit only the Cathedral you can collect your coupon for a maximum of two people at the ticket office.
Baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Sinopie Museum
If you want to visit more than one of the above, you can buy combination tickets for all permutations of the attractions.
If you bought a combination ticket for all 4 attractions the cost would be under half if you purchased tickets separately. You can buy these tickets from the ticket offices on the day.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Constructed as the bell tower to accompany the cathedral, the tower began to shift on its foundations in 1178, before the architect, Bonanno Pisano, had completed the first three tiers.
Fortunately, the lean has now been halted, due to tricks with cables and counter-subsidence. The tower now leans on an angle of 4.1 metres (13 feet), rather than the previous 5m (16ft).
One mistake made in the 11th century resulted in a 14,500 ton leaning tower. What the architect didn't account for however, was the base of the tower being built on a dense section of clay.
In 1990, the Leaning Tower was closed as something had to to be done about the tower, now in danger of collapse. The bells were removed and the tower was anchored firmly to be reopened to the public again in 2001.
Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets
You’ll have a strict 30 minutes to climb to the top, take in the views and head back down, so be sure to make every second of your time in the tower count. The 294-step staircase can be disconcerting; with steps slanting different ways, but you’ll be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views over Pisa from the top.
Especially in the summer months it is worth purchasing tickets in advance to avoid the queues.
Tickets for the Leaning Tower can be purchased online from the official website (a maximum of 20 days and a minimum of 1 day prior to the date of the visit, and subject to availability).
The alternative is to buy from third parties/agents like that linked below where you are charged a booking fee. You will be risking potential long queues if you buy from the official ticket desks on the day.
LEANING TOWER & CATHEDRAL OF PISA PM TIMED TICKET
• Cathedral admission • Afternoon timed entry ticket
Walking between the railway station & the Leaning Tower of Pisa
From the Pisa Central Railway Station it's about a 20-minute walk to the Leaning Tower of Pisa right through the city centre. Unfortunately there is little in the way of signage.
Exiting the front entrance of Pisa Central Railway Station you will find the NH Cavaleiri Hotel directly opposite, you go down the road to the left of the hotel. After about 100m you come to a large piazza, cross directly over and enter the pedestrianised road called the Corso Italia which forms the main shopping street through the city centre.
Eventually you come to a broad river flanked by busy roads at a small square, cross the bridge to another small square on the other side. Take the pedestrianised lane on the left hand side of the back of the square/piazza. Any signs to Piazza Dei Cavaleiri are pointing our way.
After about a 100m a lane joins from the left and shortly after is a small square (Piazza Giovan Battista Donati). Immediately after the square/piazza fork left along the Via Ulisse Dini that takes you to the large Piazza Dei Cavaleiri.
Continue directly across Piazza Dei Cavaleiri, there are three exits opposite. Going dead straight is the Via Dalmazi, but our way is the Via Corsica, just before the Via Dalmazi on the left. After just 20m along the Via Corsica go straight over at a crossroads and the Via Corsica has become the Via Dei Mille.
After about another 75m, the second right is the Via Santa Maria, lined with restaurants aimed at the tourist. The Via Santa Maria takes you all the way to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracle Square).
Guided day tours from Florence to Pisa
Pisa half day trip from Florence including skip-the-line Leaning Tower of Pisa ticket
This is a straight forward time efficient solution to seeing and climbing up the Leaning Tower of Pisa from Florence in a half day tour. Touring coach to and from the Piazza of Miracles in Pisa, with a walking tour of Pisa and of course skip the line entry to the Leaning Tower itself.
PISA HALF DAY TOUR FROM FLORENCE
• Transport by air-conditioned bus • Licensed tour escort and live commentary on board • Cathedral admission • Leaning Tower entrance fee with booking
Pisa half day trip from Florence without Leaning Tower of Pisa ticket
If you prefer not to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa and are happy just to admire it from ground level and pose for pictures this alternative tour is for you. Your guide will also lead you around Pisa to showcase what Pisa has to offer besides its most famous icon.
PISA HALF DAY TOUR FROM FLORENCE
• Transport by air-conditioned bus • Walking tour of Cathedral Square with local guide • Photo stop at Leaning Tower
Tuscany in one day sightseeing tour
See the best Tuscany has to offer on this full-day guided coach trip from Florence.
In just one day you'll explore Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa and also find time for a wine tasting in the Chianti countryside and lunch!
TUSCANY DAY TOUR FROM FLORENCE
• 3-course lunch at a wine estate • Wine tasting • Professional guide • Free time to explore the towns at your own pace
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