Tips for Pisa

I’m going to dedicate this final post to the city of Pisa to give you some tips, tell you what we liked and didn’t like, and share the must-see sights and restaurants.

If you have the chance to visit Pisa—even if it’s just for a day—be sure to climb the city walls that surround the historic center. Strolling along the rooftops toward the Leaning Tower of Pisa is simply magical. It costs just 3 euros, and you can walk a good 3 km along the ramparts. We started our walk near the Vecchio Porticciolo, close to the Porta Santa Marta.

Visits to the buildings in Piazza dei Miracoli are quite expensive. The Leaning Tower of Pisa alone costs 18 euros per person, and there’s a massive line that can take hours. But if you do a little searching online, you can find tours at specific times that skip the line—though prices can be higher. The best option would be to find a full-day guided tour with monument tickets included. You’ll need to book in advance, which we didn’t do. Clickherefor a website I’ve already used for my city trip to Edinburgh.

That said, there are many interesting details about this square. There’s a bronze sculpture of the Capitoline Wolf, Romulus, and Remus.

Or the Lion’s Gate, located at the end of the existing ramparts with a commanding view of the square and flanking an old Jewish cemetery dating back to the 17th century.

Restaurants, bars, and other shops.

If you’re looking for a snack spot that might be open late—in case, like us, you arrive around 11:30 p.m.—try La Piadona on Via Rigattieri, across from a manga and video game store. You can enjoy a kind of sandwich made with ultra-thin, round bread filled with whatever you like—vegetables, cheeses, cold cuts, and even Nutella.

We’re staying in the San Francesco neighborhood, not far from the Ponte della Fortezza. On the corner of Via Lungarno Mediceo, there’s a small café called La Fortezza—where coffee is 1 euro and they have plenty of sweet treats—located right next to the Palazzo Medici.

Not far from Piazza delle Vettovaglie is our favorite piazza (Piazza Sant’Omobono), home to the bar La Volta (which also sells cigarettes in the evening) and the restaurant right next door where we found a delicious pizza, Anima di Grano.

A 7-minute walk from our favorite square, heading toward the tower, we arrive at the Bagni di Nerone (Nero’s Baths), built by the Romans in the 1st century AD.

Just a few steps away is a charming tavern called Paninando. I had a vegetable salad, and my sweetheart had Pici (a dish of long macaroni with cheese), all while enjoying a splendid view of the tower without being in the crowds where the “touristy” restaurants are located.

Bar & Food 62, Via Santa Maria 62—the waiters were friendly, and we had a good laugh with them. Even though they seem to think that in Belgium, Flemish is the only language…

Just 4 minutes from Bar & Food 62 is the stunning Piazza dei Cavalieri, which in the Middle Ages was the center of political power. Transformed during the Renaissance by a Medici, it became the headquarters of the Order of Knights. Today, it’s home to a renowned school, the Scuola Normale Superiore.

One last restaurant I’d recommend in Pisa is Lo Schiaccianoci, at Via Amerigo Vespucci 104. It’s a traditional restaurant run by a couple who are just lovely. The freshness and quality of the ingredients are incredible, and as for the prices… nothing to complain about. It’s our favorite restaurant.

Yours truly,

Ninve

P.S.: If you’re looking for a 30-euro discount through Airbnb, clickhere