I’ve heard many people criticise Pisa, but I really enjoyed my visit. Even though we visited independently, which I do recommend if you can, organised day trips to Pisa from Florence are a great way to explore the city.
Pisa’s main square gets all the attention, but there’s lots to see outside of the Square of Miracles – which is where the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and a few other must-visit attractions are located.
If you’re a lover of art and history and wandering around forgotten streets, this charming destination is worth a visit.
In this post, I’ve gathered the best day trips to Pisa from Florence to make sure you experience the best of the city.
I’m covering everything from half-day tours to full-day trips, independent travel and even a few multi-destination excursions in case you want to explore more of Tuscany.
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Discover The Best Of Pisa With These Top-Rated Day Trips From Florence
🌟 My top pick >> This Full-Day Pisa and Tuscany Wine Tour is my favourite and the one I would choose if I went back. It’s a private day tour from Florence to Pisa with a wine tasting in Chianti, covering the must-visit places in the region.
Pisa might not be as popular as cities like Rome, Florence or Venice, but it has a rustic charm that I loved.
Like most of the Tuscan coast, you can expect colourful buildings and narrow streets packed with Romanesque architecture – thick walls, round arches, porticos and decorative arcading.
It was an extremely affluent city during the 11th and 13th centuries and a powerful maritime republic.
There are many beautiful historical buildings worth visiting, and since it’s home to one of Italy’s oldest universities, come evening, the walled city bursts into lively entertainment.
The Square of Miracles is, of course, a must-visit.
Still, Pisa has other attractions like the beautiful Arno River, a Botanical Garden (one of the first in Italy), its own take on traditional Tuscan recipes, and plenty of markets and museums to keep your day trip full of fun.
⭐ Pro tip >> Pisa is 98 km from Florence and takes about an hour to drive. There is a rail network that connects Pisa to Florence, which takes under an hour on a direct train; trains run frequently throughout the day and multiple times within the hour.
Day Trips To Pisa From Florence: Full-Day Tours
1. Pisa Day Tour with Leaning Tower of Pisa
⭐RATING: 4.4/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 6 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: LARGE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
The tour begins with a walk along the city’s medieval walls, providing a stunning view of the Piazza die Miracoli’s white marble architecture and views over Pisa city.
The tour includes a guide who will share historical insights and lead you into the heart of the Cathedral. Inside Pisa’s Cathedral is actually one of the prettiest (better than the Duomo in Florence) and is an experience not to be missed!
Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to explore the Square of Miracles and the other attractions, such as the Monumental Cemetery and admire the Baptistery.
The highlight of the tour is, of course, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Admission fees to the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower are included, so you’ll get to climb to the top.
“A great trip overseen by our bus guide Daniella and tour guide Sara. Both made the trip fun and knowledgeable…The tower and adjoining buildings need to be seen to be believed…Great tour, great guides so this trip comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.” – Review taken from Get Your Guide.
2. Full-Day Pisa and Tuscany Wine Tour – My Favourite/Top Pick
⭐RATING: 5/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 9 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: 8 MAX | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
This is a private day tour from Florence to Pisa with a wine tasting in Chianti, covering the must-visit places in the region. It includes a return train ride to Pisa from Florence and then a minivan to take you to the winery.
You’ll start your day with a visit to Pisa, where you have 2 hours to take pictures of the Leaning Tower and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, you’ll head back to Florence to grab a quick bite before proceeding to Tuscany.
In Tuscany, you’ll visit the Chianti Valley, where olive groves, cypresses, and winding roads will welcome you.
The tour includes a visit to two local wineries, where you’ll learn about the ancient art of wine-making and taste up to 7 different types of wine, along with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oils.
“Had an amazing day with our tour guide Nedas. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating. I would highly recommended this tour to anyone who wants to see Pisa and Tuscany…” – Review taken from Get Your Guide.
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Day Trips To Pisa From Florence: Half-Day Tours
If you’re looking for a quick half-day tour to witness the Leaning Tower in your own time, this is the tour for you.
3. Private Half-Day Tour of Pisa from Florence – Transfer Only
⭐RATING: 4.5/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 4.5 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: PRIVATE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
This is a private, quick half-day transfer to Pisa from Florence that you can take by yourselves – no guided tour, only a driver. You won’t have a guide, but your driver will provide some historical insights during the drive to Pisa.
While you’re in Pisa (2 hours), make sure you visit the most famous landmarks, including the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Cathedral, and the Monumental Cemetery.
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour. Your driver is able to give you recommendations on where to visit and take you back to Florence when you’re ready.
“It was great to go there in a private comfortable car and make it there to capture the beauty of the place and spend time there” – Review taken from Viator.
⭐ Pro tip >> Take advantage of the opportunity to experience some of the lesser-known parts of the city, such as walking along the Arno River and visiting the Botanical Gardens. You could even book another tour (see below for independent tours).
Day Trips To Pisa From Florence: Multi-Destination Tours
The options below are the tours available for multi-destination trips from Florence, including a stop at Pisa. Again, there are many options online, but they all offer a similar experience. I’ve selected the best and top-rated tours only. Enjoy!
Palazzo Publico in Siena, Tuscany
Views of the towers in San Gimignano
4. From Florence: Day Trip Pisa, Siena & San Gimignano w/Lunch – Very Popular
⭐RATING: 4.5/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 12+ HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: LARGE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
This has to be one of the most popular day trips from Florence. The tour offers a visit to the World Heritage Site of San Gimignano (a place which I loved), the charming town of Pisa, and the captivating city of Siena.
The trip includes free time for shopping and self-guided tours in Pisa and San Gimignano, and you’ll have the opportunity to taste typical Tuscan dishes in a winery and taste some of the best wines in the region.
In Siena, this tour also has the option for a guided tour of the city and a chance to visit the Siena Cathedral with a tour guide. Overall, it’s a perfect day trip to explore the beauty of Tuscany and experience its top destinations.
“This tour is really worth your money! We visited three cities in one day. Yes, it was a bit busy and the hours short to explore but I believe we maximized everything. It was really a great experience! Thank you also to Luca for taking us through the day!” – Review taken from Get Your Guide.
5. Pisa & Lucca Day Tour with Buccellato Tasting
⭐RATING: 4.3/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 9 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: LARGE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
What is Buccellato? I actually thought it was a wine. It’s not; it’s a traditional sweet bread from Tuscany made with flour, sugar, eggs, raisins, and anise seeds!
Nevertheless, enjoy this day trip from Florence to the beautiful cities of Pisa and Lucca. Your tour will start in Pisa, where you can take in the iconic Leaning Tower and visit other historical landmarks within the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Afterwards, head to Lucca, which is famous for its old city walls that are still intact. A guide will take you on a walk through the enchanting old town, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city.
Finally, the tour concludes with a tasting of Buccellato, not wine! Admission fees to Pisa Cathedral are included, and guided tours of Pisa and Lucca can be added to the package.
Fantastic trip. The guide, Tábata, was excellent. We loved the tour. – Review taken from Get Your Guide.
⭐ Alternatively, try this Full-Day Private Pisa and Lucca Tour from Florence
6. Small Group Pisa and Lucca Wine Tour from Florence
⭐RATING: 4.5/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 8 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: LARGE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
If you want a wine tasting (and not cake), this day trip from Florence to Pisa is a great way to explore the beautiful city and its surrounding areas.
As always, you’ll get to visit the famous Leaning Tower, Pisa Baptistery, and Pisa Duomo. You’ll also get to discover the charming Piazza dei Cavalieri, once the political centre of medieval Pisa. It’s now known for its Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, a higher learning institution that is part of the university.
After Pisa, you’ll go to Lucca and visit the Duomo, a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Lucca, and construction was started in 1063 by Bishop Anselm.
Towards the end of the trip, you’ll be taken to an organic Chianti winery. There, you can taste the region’s famous wine and try some extra virgin olive oil with snacks.
This was one of our favorite tours while in Italy. A stop in Pisa and Lucca. We absolutely loved Lucca. Then we had an amazing stop at Fattoria San Michele A Torri Winery. Rami our tour guide was wonderful. – Review taken from Viator.
7. Pisa and Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence by Train
⭐RATING: 4.5/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 13+ HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: LARGE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
We spent four days in Cinque Terre during our road trip. By the end, we had mixed feelings, but it’s a favourite for many. With this tour, you’ll get to experience the beauty of Pisa and the stunning Cinque Terre on a full-day trip from Florence.
The journey begins in Pisa. Take full advantage of your time here by taking photos of the Leaning Tower before heading to La Spezia train station. From there, you’ll take a local train to Riomaggiore, a charming village with cobbled streets and pastel-coloured buildings.
Next, you’ll visit Vernazza, a picturesque seaside town that surrounds a natural port. Enjoy free time to relax in the village or go for a swim in the refreshing waters. Finally, you’ll explore Manarola, a tiny hamlet with charming harbour-front buildings and numerous grapevines.
Throughout the day, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try the local cuisine, although lunch is not included in the excursion.
It was great tour to explore Pisa and Cinque Terre. Specially, thanks for our guide John who is very kind and well-organized whole tour. We truly enjoyed the beautiful cities in Italy and had great fun time. – Review taken from Viator.
⭐ Alternatively, try this Private Day Trip to Cinque Terre and Pisa from Florence.
Manarola, Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare
Independent Day Trips To Pisa From Florence
The final tours I’ve included are those starting in Pisa. With these tours, you’ll get more opportunities to explore Pisa than with the above excursions, but you will have to make your way to Pisa.
How To Get To Pisa From Florence?
The quickest, easiest and best way to get to Pisa from Florence is by TRAIN. The train runs directly from Florence’s central station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella, to Pisa Centrale. The trains run often, several times an hour. The journey takes about 50 mins and costs under €10 per person one-way.
⭐ Easily book a ticket online with TRAINLINE: Florence to Pisa Trains.
If you jump on a train from Florence to Pisa, you’ll be able to arrange alternative Pisa tours that aren’t available on an organised tour from Florence. I’ve selected the best Pisa tours for you below.
8. Pisa Food Tour: Do Eat Better Experience – Highly Recommend
⭐RATING: 4.9/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: LARGE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
I seriously love food tours; they’re the best ways to discover the destination and find the best food stops – we joined one in Florence. While you’re in Pisa, join a food tour, and if it’s anything like the one we did, I guarantee it’s going to be a good experience!
With this food tour, avoid the tourist traps and enjoy natural “Pisano” flavours as you explore the city’s most popular dishes and historical places. The tour offers a range of specialities, including Tuscan cured meats, savoury soups, traditional stews, and Tuscan-style beans with sausage.
You’ll also get to savour the famous Cecìna, a very flat focaccia made from chickpea flour, and indulge in local gelato made from fresh products. You’ll be taken to some of the oldest restaurants, wine bars, and trattorias in the city, making this food tour an unforgettable experience.
Valentina, our guide was the best, she explained to us not only the dishes but also some historical curiosities, ready to answer all our questions. The tour was very pleasant, we tasted typical dishes in non-touristy places, I must say I really appreciated it. – Review taken from Get Your Guide.
9. Pisa 2-Hour Off-The Beaten-Track Walking Tour
⭐RATING: 4.8/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 2 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: LARGE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
Join this guided tour of Pisa and discover its major attractions and hidden gems. Walk through the city’s streets and learn about its rich history and everyday life from a local guide who will take you beyond the Leaning Tower of Pisa to explore the unpretentious city.
You’ll discover Pisa’s beautiful north and south bank districts, including Sant’Antonio and San Martino, and see the city from a different perspective. Enjoy great views from the riverbanks and the Ponte di Mezzo bridge. Stroll along Borgo Stretto and indulge in the atmosphere of Piazza delle Vettovaglie with its market stalls and trattorias.
Don’t worry; you’ll still get to visit the Square of Miracles, as this tour ends with a visit to the UNESCO-protected complex of the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower!
The tour is exactly as explained; a leisurely walk through Pisa with lots of information that we would have otherwise never known. The tour concludes at the tower/cathedral, so you may want to time it with tickets to climb up the tower for example. Very knowledgable, friendly guide! – Review taken from Get Your Guide.
10. Pisa Tour By Bike: The Road To The Sea
⭐RATING: 4.9/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 3 – 5 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: SELF GUIDE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
Fancy something a little different? Embark on a cycling tour of Pisa and its beautiful surroundings using an app to self-guide yourself to the sea! Pedal your way along bike lanes from the city to the Tyrrhenian Sea, with bicycle rentals included.
This tour allows you to explore the city at your own pace, stopping at any point you want. Take in the stunning views of Marina di Pisa and the wildlife-filled Navicelli channel as you follow a scenic loop from the city to the sea.
Phew, what a workout! Such a great way to see the coast! Pack your bathing suits and bring towels to spend time at the beach and in the water! The bikes we had did not have baskets, so bring a backpack if you can. – Review taken from Viator.
11. Pisa: All-Inclusive Guided Tour with Optional Leaning Tower
⭐RATING: 4.8/5 | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 2 HOURS |🧍 GROUP SIZE: LARGE | 🏛️ BOOK HERE
This guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli is an opportunity to explore and learn all about the famous monuments of Pisa. The tour starts with a stroll around the square, but the highlight of the tour is the chance to climb the Leaning Tower and enjoy unparalleled views of the city.
It’s a great option if you want to include a guided tour around the Square of Miracles but still have time to explore Pisa on your own afterwards without having to follow a tour schedule.
A guide will join you throughout the 2-hour tour, ensuring you get all the essential details about the attractions. Entry fees to the Cathedral, Baptistery, Cemetery, Sinopie Museum, and OPA Museum are included.
We loved this tour! Our guide was so fun and shared so many fun facts with us about the cathedral, baptistry, and tower. We did the optional tower climb at the end, and I’m so glad we did! This was a great way to explore Pisa in a short amount of time. – Review taken from Get Your Guide.
Resources For Italy
Is it your first time visiting Italy? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Italy Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- Visit the best botanical gardens in Italy: Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens.
- If you’re planning a visit to Piedmont, don’t miss visiting Orta San Giulio.
- Read this post if you’re wondering about visiting Boboli Gardens in Florence.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you’re going to be using your phone, don’t forget about overseas data roaming. You’ll get charged for using your data. Try Airalo’s eSIMs and download a digital data pack. It’s quick and easy; great if you’re in a hurry.
In Summary: Day Trips To Pisa From Florence
As always, I hope this guide to the best day trips to Pisa from Florence has been helpful and given you a clear understanding of the types of tours available. When I was researching, it was clear there were a lot of excursions, but they were all very similar.
The above day trips are the best of the bunch, highly rated and offer a unique experience to visit Pisa. However you choose to visit Pisa, I hope you have the best time and don’t forget to spend some time wandering around the city.
Thank you for reading my post. You can find my latest stories and articles on my blog homepage here. Follow me on Instagram (@abigailcarolina.dalton) and Facebook to see what I’m getting up to and where my upcoming trips are.
