by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 10/3/2025
This was a day trip we took while we were visiting Florence, where our condo rental was located. Our goal for this day trip was to visit the Leaning Tower area and then to move on to the Livorno area where we wanted to spend some quality time at Calambrone Beach.
Driving to Pisa was straightforward, however the final miles were on city streets and conditions were very crowded. Parking was a major challenge, as the tourists had already taken up every available parking place for blocks surrounding the Piazza del Duomo. You will need a good source of information about where to go and you should have your mobile mapping device set - or you might wind up driving aimlessly around Pisa!
WARNING: Do yourself a favor and do some research about driving & parking in the vicinity of the Leaning Tower, that area is now auto restricted and parking is available but most are not located nearby. Your research will also reveal that cars are sometimes broken into, so you need to be careful where you park and what you leave in your car.
Here is a link to a good place to learn about Pisa Parking and getting around the City.
Need to Know – Leaning Tower of Pisa
Reservations are usually required for Tower entry; bag rules and time slots apply. Trains from Florence to Pisa run frequently; allow ~3–4 hours in Pisa for the Tower + Piazza dei Miracoli.
The Tower of Pisa
La Pasquereccia Bell
The Tower of PisaThe Leaning Tower of Pisa or simply the Tower of Pisa (Torre di Pisa [ˈtorre di ˈpiːza]) is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its unintended tilt. The tower is situated behind the Pisa Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in the city's Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), after the cathedral and the Pisa Baptistry.
The construction of the tower began in 1173 and lasted for almost 200 years due to various interruptions and corrections. The tower was designed to be a freestanding bell tower for the adjacent cathedral, but its tilt began during its construction, leading to numerous attempts to correct it.
The tower is 183.27 feet on the "low side" and 185.93 feet on the "high side". There are 294 steps from the base to the top, where there is a fantastic panoramic of Pisa and its surroundings.
Prior to restoration work performed between 1990 and 2001, the tower leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees, but the tower now leans at about 3.99 degrees. This means the top of the tower is displaced horizontally 3.9 metres (12 ft 10 in) from the centre.
There is a limit of 45 people on the tower at any point in time, due obviously to their desire not to stress
the "leaning" anymore than they need to. So the tickets (which are expensive) are issued for a specific
date and time. You have to amuse yourself until your time comes up.
You can purchase your tickets in advance from
this site.
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
Battistero di San Giovanni
Cthedral View from the TowerCathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption is a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, in the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, Italy, the oldest of the three structures in the plaza followed by the Battistero di San Giovanni and the Campanile known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The cathedral is a notable example of Romanesque architecture, in particular the style known as Pisan Romanesque.[1] Consecrated in 1118, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Pisa. Construction began in 1063 and was completed in 1092. Additional enlargements and a new facade were built in the 12th century and the roof was replaced after damage from a fire in 1595.
The above information is from Wikipedia,
click here to view the full Pisa article.The views from the Leaning Tower of Pisa are breathtaking, offering a unique perspective of the surrounding area. As you ascend the tower’s spiral staircase, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic sights of Pisa’s historic center, the Piazza dei Miracoli, and the lush Tuscan countryside. The higher you climb, the more expansive the views become, with the horizon stretching up to 16.6 miles (26.7 kilometers) in clear weather. The nearby Pisa Cathedral, Baptistery, and Camposanto Monumentale are beautifully framed from the tower’s height, creating a stunning scene of medieval architecture.
However, standing on the “downhill” side of the Leaning Tower is a nerve-wracking experience for many visitors. The tilt of the tower is remarkably noticeable, and the sensation of standing at an angle can feel both thrilling and unsettling. The gentle lean, combined with the open railing, reminds visitors just how iconic and unique this architectural wonder is.
From the top, you can also see the Arno River, which runs through Pisa, as well as red-roofed buildings and bustling piazzas that make up the charming cityscape. The experience of climbing the tower and taking in the views from its tilted perch is truly one of a kind, combining history, engineering marvel, and natural beauty into an unforgettable adventure.
A Roman Catholic ecclesiastical building in Pisa, Italy. Construction started in 1152 to replace an older baptistery, and when it was completed in 1363, it became the second building, in chronological order, in the Piazza dei Miracoli, near the Duomo di Pisa and the cathedral's free-standing campanile, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The baptistery was designed by Diotisalvi, whose signature can be read on two pillars inside the building, with the date 1153.
The largest baptistery in Italy, it is 54.86 meters high, with a diameter of 34.13 meters. The Pisa Baptistery is an example of the transition from the Romanesque style to the Gothic style: the lower section is in the Romanesque style, with rounded arches, while the upper sections are in the Gothic style, with pointed arches. The Baptistery is constructed of marble, as is common in Italian architecture.
Image # 2 property of Lin Gaozhi via Wikimedia Commons using the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa stands 183.3 feet tall, a height that might not seem particularly impressive when you first hear it. However, once you climb the narrow spiral staircase and step out onto the top level, the view from the tower is anything but ordinary. Looking down from the top of the tower is a dizzying experience — the height feels far greater when you're standing on a platform that leans noticeably to one side! The sensation is amplified by the tower’s tilt, making you acutely aware of the centuries-old engineering marvel beneath your feet.
Looking outward from the top, you’re rewarded with stunning views of Pisa’s red-tiled rooftops, medieval landmarks, and surrounding Tuscan countryside. The sight of the Piazza dei Miracoli, with the cathedral and baptistery below, is truly breathtaking. The contrast between the historic architecture and the modern city beyond creates a unique visual experience — one that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
Children under 8 years of age are not permitted inside the tower. You should review their website for further information.
Yes, a maximum of 45 people at a time are allowed to climb.
Yes, Hand bags/bags/luggage must be left at the cloakroom before the visit and picked up at the end of the visit. This includes camera bags and backpacks.
No, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is not wheelchair friendly because it lacks elevators and requires climbing many steps to reach the top. However, the surrounding Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) is generally accessible, with ramps and wide sidewalks, and the Baptistery and Cathedral have accessible entrances and some wheelchair-friendly access on their ground floors.
Yes, it is strongly recommended to book your tickets in advance, as access is limited and can sell out, especially during peak season. This is a very popular tourist destination, so to make sure your access is going to take place on your schedule, secure your date & time tickets in advance.
A ticket to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa currently costs approximately €25 for a ticket with an audio guide, though prices can vary. You should review their website for current information.
The tower is built of limestone and white marble.
You can take public transportation from Pisa Centrale train station or Pisa's Galileo Galilei Airport. As you read on this page, we drove there but parking is a challenge because the area of the Tower is a "restricted auto zone". Because of that fact, we would not recommend driving to the tower.
Parking at the Tower of Pisa can be difficult because the historic center is a ZTL (limited traffic zone), making it risky to drive directly there. Instead, you should park in a designated paid or free lot located outside the ZTL, with several options available within a 5-15 minute walk or a short bus ride from the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Here is a Google Maps link that displays parking near the Tower of Pisa.
Yes. Trains are frequent; pair Pisa with Lucca only if you start early and keep a tight schedule.
The train from Firenze SMN to Pisa Centrale is frequent and inexpensive; from Centrale, it’s about 20–25 minutes on foot or a short bus/taxi to Piazza dei Miracoli. If you prefer a guided option or guaranteed timing, a day tour from Florence works well.
Tickets are for a specific time slot and include a timed entry to climb the Tower. Availability changes by season—book in advance on the official site or at the on-site ticket office if same-day slots exist. Check current rules for bags, age/height, and arrival time. Note that if you wait until you get there to purchase tickets, that you may find that there is none available - this is a very popular place!
Plan 3–4 hours for the Tower (with climb), Cathedral/Baptistery, Camposanto, and photos in Piazza dei Miracoli.
Nothing, it’s a big empty tube, with no floors, no decoration, and no windows. Its original purpose was a bell tower, but the bells were eventually removed to help keep the tower stable. Tourists can walk up a spiral staircase along the tower’s walls to a view deck at the very top, but there is quite literally nothing to see inside.
Plan Your Visit to Pisa Travel Resources — Maps, Parking, Passes & Links
Tower Climb Reservations
Tower climbs are timed and limited. Book ahead online; arrive 20–30 minutes early. No bags on the Tower—use onsite lockers.
Easy Day Trip from Florence
Take the regional train Firenze SMN → Pisa Centrale (~1h). Walk or bus to Piazza dei Miracoli; your simple loop can finish back at Pisa S. Rossore station.
During our return journey from Pisa to Florence along the Italian highways E80/A11/E76, a remarkable sight caught our attention: a majestic aqueduct gracefully spanning the Autostrada! While initially mistaken for a Roman artifact, this impressive structure is actually the Nottolini Aqueduct, a testament to Renaissance engineering.
The Nottolini Aqueduct is a 19th-century Neoclassical masterpiece near Lucca, Italy. Built between 1823 and 1851, it spans over 3 kilometers with over 400 arches, carrying water from the mountains to the city. Designed by Lorenzo Nottolini, it features a distinctive temple-cistern and a circular temple-tank at San Concordio.
A visually stunning and historically significant aqueduct showcasing 19th-century engineering and architectural prowess in Lucca, Italy.
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