Pisa, Tuscany

Overview

Discover Pisa: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Believe it or no, describing what it's like to visit Pisa is a tough job. No doubt, Pisa's Leaning Tower is an Icon and Millions of travelers come here each year. For many, the fact that it is quite literally a "Mecca" for tourists is a good reason to stay away, however there is a very good reason why Pisa draws the crowds and it might just draw you too!

Let's put it this way, if you go to Pisa from June to September, you will be rubbing shoulders with a lot of people, but the fact of the matter is that Pisa is BEAUTIFUL. The architecture is a sight to behold and the truth be told, visiting Pisa is A LOT of fun for those that come!

Believe it or not, Pisa began life in about 1000 BC as a seaport. In the 2nd Centure BC, the Romans used it as a naval station and trading port. By the 11th Century the city had evolved into a major maritime power, rivalling Genoa, and Amalfi. The Pisans raided and overwhelmed Amalfi in 1135, putting an end to Amalfi's maratime claims.

The Pisans were themselves defeated - by Genoa - in 1284, a defeat which started the City's steady decline. That decline was hastened when the River Arno, on whose banks the city stood, began to silt up. The Florentines took control in 1406 and retained it until the unification of Italy in the 1860s.

During its long period of prosperity, much of its wealth went into building some of Italy's most important and monumental buildings.

The famously leaning tower is the bell tower of the Duomo whose construction took over 200 years, starting in 1173 AD. The soil under the Tower started to subside on one side even during construction, and remedial efforts were ongoing up until 1999, when a solution was found. (Don't ask us what it was.)

The tower, the baptistry and the huge Duomo (100 yards long, with a massive nave, flanked by two aisles and 68 monolithic columns, are in the Romanesque style. The pulpit, considered by many as the most beautiful in Italy, was carved by Giovanni Pisano, who also did much of the carving in the baptistry.

They sit together around the Campo dei Miracoli - or "field of dreams", an expansive grassy area. Most tourists venture no further. They should.

The city boasts one of the oldest universities in the world, and was the birth place of Galileo Galilei. There are many cafes, trattorie, boutiques and flea markets. Quality - well, tourist grade. (If you want a great dinner, save your appetite and travel 15 km north to ).

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Pisa in pictures

Gallery

A few frames from our own trips. The rest are in the gallery below.

Beautiful spring view of famous Leaning Tower in Pisa. Sunny morning scene with hundreds of tourists

Pisa, Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists

Baptistery of Pisa, the biggest in Italy. Pictures and relax for tourists in a beautiful summer day.

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Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

Bella Italia: Luxury Private Tour of Italy's Must-See Locations

Visit Italy's top tourist spots in luxury. Stay at some of our favourite hotels, visit the cities with expert private guides and enjoy 1st class transportation from Venice all the way to Amalfi!

Private

15 Days / 14 Nights

Florence, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera

A classic introduction to the must-see sites of Tuscany and Cinque Terre. From the wine-growing lands of Chianti and Val d'Orcia to the Renaissance splendour and the museums of Florence, the tour ends in the incredible natural beauty of the Italian...

Private

10 Days / 9 Nights

Private & Small Group Tours in Pisa

Days out with people who know the way

Pisa and Lucca Full Day Private Tour

The leaning tower of Pisa is perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of Italy and known the world over as one of Italy's major tourist attractions. No doubt, you will find a lot of tourists coming to Pisa. At first, you may think that's a turn-off,...

Private

7 hours

Pisa, Volterra, San Gimignano

This is one of our favorite private tours in the Tuscany region, exclusively offered by Italy Vacation Specialists. We can pick you up from your hotel in Florence, cruise ship in Livorno, or villa in Tuscany to begin this tour. During the tour, you w...

Private

8 hours

The Leaning Tower of Pisa & Florence from Livorno with Wine Tastings in Montecarlo

This is a great option for those coming into the port in Livorno who want to see Florence and Pisa, two very important cities in Italy. Our English speaking driver-guide will pick you up at your ship at approximately 08:30 AM (depending on the arriv...

Private

8 hours

Photo Gallery

Church of the Holy Cross and medieval tower of Matilda in the ancient Tuscan village

Italy.Pisa. May 19, 2013. View of Pisa Cathedral (Duomo de Santa Maria Assunta)

Italy.Pisa. May 19, 2013. View of Pisa Cathedral

Pisa. Overhead view of city streets - Tuscany, Italy.

Castiglion Fiorentino

Terme di San Filippo - San Filippo Natura Hot Springs, Tuscany

Val D'Orcia

Viareggio

Volterra

Arrezzo

Bagno Vignoni

Barga

Carrara

Castiglion Fiorentino

Chianciano Terme

Chianti

Cortona

Elba Island

Fiesole

Florence

Livorno

Lucca

Maremma

Montalcino

Montecatini

Montepulciano

Monteriggioni

Monticchiello

Pienza

Pietrasanta

Pisa

Porto Santo Stefano

San Gimignano

San Miniato

Saturnia

Siena

Terme di San Filippo - San Filippo Natura Hot Springs, Tuscany

Val D'Orcia

Viareggio

8 Beds 8 Baths 16-18

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Popular Transfer Routes in Pisa

The rides our guests ask for most, with a driver who knows the way.

Italy Vacation Specialists provides licensed private transfer services throughout Italy, including Pisa and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our professional English-speaking drivers offer both Business Class and Luxury Class vehicles for airport transfers, city-to-city rides, and full-day chauffeur services. All vehicles are fully insured, well-maintained, and operated by vetted local drivers who know the roads, traffic patterns, and best routes across the region.

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Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

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