The pendant town... when you talk about it, you inevitably refer to its weird and envied around the world tower. But you will also find the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, in a spectacular architectural complex, not surprisingly called "Field of Miracles", and many other beauties: the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Campo Santo.
Pisa does not end there: just move a little to discover other wonders that make it one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. A past as a Maritime Republic and as the undisputed master of the Mediterranean. A title of Queen of the studies, with its famous university ... a plenty of nature trails and green.

 

Photo by Xavier via Flickr

 

1. Best things to do in Pisa (Tuscany)

The first interesting square is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, entirely pedestrian, with an access allowed only to public transport.

The marble beauty stands for Matraia stone which has been paved wit. The square is dressed up with a suggestive neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic echoe.

Vittorio Emanuele II Square
Vittorio Emanuele II Square, photo by David Nicholls via Flickr

Continuing along the Lungarno Gambacorti, you will find the Palazzo Blu (Blue Palace): the color of the original palace was found on the facade under he modern layers: it was the home of the "Doge" of Pisa and now houses temporary exhibitions.

Once in Pisa, if you like walking, you cannot forget the Arno river with the famous Bridge "Conte Ugolino", located in the city center; once it was made of wood then was destroyed by several fires, it was rebuilt in cement. In June, an ancient and fascinating game takes place on the bridge, the "Game of the bridge"  in which two rival districts, after they marched in costume, clash on the bridge and compete to push a cart on the rails on the other side half. The team that manages to defeat his opponent several times.

Pisa view from the Bridge
Pisa view from the Bridge, photo by Neil Howard via Flickr

2. Viareggio and surroundings

In the nearby of Pisa you will find beautiful seaside towns of Marina di Pisa, Tirrenia and Viareggio (with one of the beautiful Carnivals in Italy). A little further away you can find Forte dei Marmi and Torre del Lago Puccini.

Here fans will enjoy the Lyric Opera of Puccini festival in an outdoor theater built on the banks of the picturesque Massaciuccoli Lake, once home of Giacomo Puccini.

Torre del Lago Puccini
Torre del Lago Puccini, photo by Marco Conti

A 10-minute drive away you will find the wonderful Charterhouse of Pisa Calci founded by Carthusian monks in the fourteenth century and renovated in the '700, in which you will find skeletons of cetaceans, a true paradise for young and old!

You can't miss places like Vicopisano, Buti and Lari with its beautiful castle and all the Etruscan, Roman and medieval area: lovely and relaxing landscapes.

3. Tastes and local food

If you are wondering what are the traditional recipes of the city, we suggest you to taste the focaccia bread made with chickpea flour and the bruschetta with chicken livers.

Among the first courses we find the typical soups, the cornerstone of the local tradition. Prepare strictly with the addition of unsalted bread: the key ingredient of many recipes of the region. The bread soup is the emblem of the Pisan cuisine with the flavors of the vegetables and typical beans.

Typical soup of Pisa
Typical soup of Pisa

Even the truffle stands and season the rice in a delicate and tasty way.

 What about the meats? We suggest you the tripe with onions, tomato and bacon and Pisa mucco, made with meat of San Rossore, beautiful park you should visit on a horseback.

4. Nature, sport and green itineraries

If we talk about slow travel in Pisa we must mention the Via Francigena.

Cycling along the banks of the Arno you can get from Fucecchio to the center of Pisa. The province of Pisa has developed a system of more than 100 km of cycle paths between Arno and Serchio in the heart of the Francigena.

But also the municipality has a lot of green to offer: Viale delle Piagge along the Arno River is an easy walking path for those who are in town. It is an ideal route for families and sportsmen, to fully enjoy during the summer, with a wink to the beautiful fauna and the Mediterranean.

5. Where to stay in the city and surrounding

Discover all the bio famrhouse surrounded by nature and the eco-friendly B&B in the surrounding and in the city.

Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in Pisa

 

Cover image: photo by Neil Howard via Flickr

Eco-friendly accommodations
B&B La Fanciullaccia

Pisa (Italy)

Spontaneità e sostenibilità, la chiave per essere in sintonia con la natura.

Alpaca Country House

Pisa (Italy)

Un antico casale trasformato in agriturismo biologico, vicino al borgo medioevale di montecastell...

Casa Arsella

Lucca (Italy)

Un accogliente affittacamere professionale eco-sostenibile a viareggio, a due passi dal mare e da...

Valleantica Ospitalità Rurale

Pisa (Italy)

Un accogliente appartamento in agriturismo biologico tra le colline della valdera, all'interno d...

Camera Superior con balcone

Province of Lucca (Italy)

Il rispetto per la natura e la tutela dell’ecosistema uniti alla riduzione dell’impatto dei servi...

Agriturismo La Grotta

Pisa (Italy)

Gli agriturismo non sono hotel, non sono b&b, non sono resorts e non sono ristoranti, in toscana,...

Agricampeggio Yuptala

Pisa (Italy)

Un bellissimo campeggio immerso nella natura incontaminata tra le morbide colline toscane dove as...

Agriturismo Alle Camelie

LU (Italy)

L'azienda si occupa di agricoltura biologica da oltre 20 anni con amore verso la natura e il terr...

ALESSANDRO VALLI

Province of Lucca (Italy)

Super comfort a zero emissioni

Agriturismo il Lemmi

Pisa (Italy)

Sulle colline pisane, nell'alta valdera, immersi nel verde della campagna, nel silenzio e nella t...

La casina rosa - lo studio di regi

PI (Italy)

Quite and beauty

Lovely Country Villa 17th Century

Province of Pisa (Italy)

The 400-year-old monastery rebuilt to a modern holiday villa, situated in a panoramic location in...

Borgo4case

Lucca (Italy)

Un tranquillo angolo nel cuore della toscana perfetto per trascorrere momenti di relax circondati...

Azienda Agricola Tassobarbasso

PI (Italy)

Into the wild...

Podere Mazzana

Pisa (Italy)