Pisa green travel guide
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
