Florence To Pisa Day Trip: Things To See & Do

This post will share all the details of my Florence to Pisa day trip.

The other day, I was planning a trip, and it just occurred to me that I never spend more than 2- 3 days exploring a city.

Every time I take a journey between three to four nights or longer, I try to kill two birds with one stone by visiting two or more cities.

For my trip to Malaga in July, I took day trips to Granada and Marbella.

I also took day trips to Ghent, Antwerp and Ostend from Brussels in August.

There’s something about being able to visit multiple cities in one trip.

It’s similar to visiting various countries, and the thrill is unmatched.

Sometimes, these are regional day trips. Other times, they are international, like my Amsterdam to Berlin trip.

This method helps me gauge how fascinating a city is and if I would return.

For example, during my Barcelona to Madrid trip, I immediately returned to each city because four nights wasn’t enough for me.

I loved both cities, notably Barcelona, and then I decided I would be spending more time there in the future.

While planning my trip to Florence, Italy, I realized that if I spent four nights, I might as well take a quick trip to Pisa.

I remember someone saying that visiting Pisa on a trip to Florence was mandatory.

It’s the same with Milan and Lake Como.

These cities are an hour away. You’ll be doing yourself a great disservice by skipping them.

On the third day of my trip to Florence, I headed down to Pisa despite the imminent rain and cloudy weather, and I had such a great time.

I can’t believe I almost changed my mind.

Getting To Pisa From Florence

Cost – €11/£8 – one way

I love finding a reason to jump on the trains in Mainland Europe.

This is because they’re generally more affable and affordable than rail travel in England.

As always, I checked the distance beforehand and ensured the journey was under 90 minutes.

Anything more than that, and it is no longer a day trip. Rome2Rio showed me that Trenitalia was the primary train operator for that route and that they ran every 30 minutes.

Depending on your ticket, some trains have more stops than others, meaning the journey will take over 80 minutes.

But if you buy the right tickets on time, you’ll always find the 60-minute trains.

I bought a one-way ticket on Trainline to Pisa Centrale from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the central train station in Florence, which cost €11/£8.

I didn’t buy my return ticket until I was on my way back.

The prices are fixed so you don’t need to buy in advance.

The journey was very smooth, and in about an hour and twenty-one minutes, I was at Pisa Centrale, ready to explore.

Moving Around Pisa

Once I arrived at Pisa, I found my way to the iconic Leaning Tower.

Google Maps informed me that the journey would take 15 – 20 minutes on foot.

Thankfully, the weather was very mild, so I was happy to explore a bit of Pisa while I made my way to the main attraction.

It is a small, flat city that is pretty walkable, so wear comfortable shoes or boots that won’t hurt your feet.

Thankfully, the Pisa Centrale station isn’t too far, so you can walk to and fro while saving money on transportation.

The Best Thing To Do On Your Florence To Pisa Day Trip

Pisa is a city in the central region of Tuscany in Italy.

Compared to Milan and Como, the weather is warmer, and the people are friendlier.

While there are many more churches, medieval palaces and bridges to explore in Pisa, there’s only so much you can do on a day trip.

This is why your primary focus when visiting should be the Piazza del Duomo, also known as the Square of Miracles.

Here, you’ll find what is described as one of the most important centres of European art and the finest architectural complexes in the world owned by the Catholic Church.

I promise you that you’ll be blown away, especially if you’re into history and architecture.

Iconic Landmarks

In this square, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find six iconic buildings, with four being religious monuments, which include;

• Leaning Tower of Pisa: this iconic tower was built in the 11th century over 177 years. Surprisingly, it wasn’t always lean until five years after construction started, and the weak foundation caused it to sink. After being abandoned for over a century, the foundation stabilized, preventing the building from collapsing. If you fancy climbing up to the top of the tower, there are 296 steps.
• Pisa Cathedral is a medieval cathedral that started construction in the 10th century. The details of Romanesque architecture are incredibly stunning. It is worth exploring the interiors, including the cathedral’s altar and coffered ceiling.
• Pisa Baptistery: This 12th-century Romanesque building dedicated to St. John The Baptist is also the largest in Italy. Explore the baptistery’s dome, pulpit, flooring and glass-stained windows. It is a site to behold.
• Monumental Cemetery: This is a 12th-century walled cemetery that contains an extensive collection of Roman sculptures, 84 of which are still in use.

It is important to note that the square is free to enter, but the monuments are ticketed. Book tickets online.

The other two include:

• New Hospital of Holy Spirit: A 12th-century former hospital now houses two museums, including the Sinopias and Cathedral museums.
• Opera Palace: A 14th-century building that initially belonged to the cathedral workers, now a museum/gallery showcasing temporary exhibitions with administrative offices.

If Pisa catches your fancy and you decide to return, you can easily explore other parts of the city for another day.

Trust me, there are some hidden gems.

Overall,

Pisa gave everything that needed to be given.

The train station is a 20-minute walk to the main attraction in the city, and if you go during the off-peak season, you’ll have a quaint medieval city to explore without the crowds.

As you can tell, I enjoyed my Florence to Pisa day trip and similar to The Vatican, it is one of those bucket list trips I’m happy to have ticked off my list.