- Georgina D'Angelo
The 10 Best Free Things to Do in Pisa
Updated: Sep 15
While you simply cannot visit Pisa without climbing the Leaning Tower, there are many other things to do and see while exploring this part of Tuscany, Italy. There’s a lot to check off your list here, and the best part? These are all free things to do in Pisa!
The great thing about Pisa is it's not overflowing with tourists. We found this Italian city to be much quieter than others. So you should definitely add it to your Italy travel plans! It is still filled with history, iconic monuments, delicious food, and breathtaking views.
If you’re visiting Pisa, Italy on a budget, make sure you visit all of these! If you have an entire day or two here, check out our Complete 1-Day Pisa Itinerary. Now for the good stuff…the FREE stuff!
Free Things to do in Pisa, Italy
Piazza del Duomo
Tuttomondo
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
Arno River
Baths of Nero
Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno
Torre Guelfa
Giardino Scotto
Forteza Nuova
Piazza dei Cavalieri
1. Piazza del Duomo
Our top recommendation for a free place to visit in Pisa is the Piazza del Duomo. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located here, and it is definitely worth admiring, even if only from the outside! Piazza del Duomo is also home to the Cathedral of Pisa, which is FREE to get into! You do, however, have to pick up a ticket for a time slot, but there is no charge. Just head over to the ticket office and they’ll set you up.
2. Tuttomondo
Are you a fan of murals and street art? Check out the large, colorful mural “Tuttomondo." Meaning “one world,” "Tuttomondo" was designed to symbolize the peace between people and the hopefulness of living together in harmony. This is a beautiful work of art, created by the late Keith Haring, worth checking out while exploring Pisa, Italy.
3. Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
Located in the center of Pisa, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is surrounded by shops and restaurants loved by many. We enjoyed admiring the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument and window shopping in nearby shops. There are all kinds of shops here from clothing to home decor to electronics. It’s a fun area to walk around and grab a cappuccino or gelato in.
4. Arno River
You can’t visit Pisa without taking a stroll along the Arno River. There are several spots known for their picture-perfect views of houses along the river. You can see a lot of Pisa just by walking along the river and soaking in the charm of the colorful Tuscan architecture.
5. Baths of Nero
Surrounded by bustling streets, the Baths of Nero are easy to stumble upon when wandering around Pisa. Believed to be an ancient bathhouse, these small ancient ruins are worth stopping by if you appreciate history. We stopped by the Baths of Nero on our way to the Leaning Tower, as they are only about a 5-minute walk away.
6. Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno
An 11th-century Romanesque Catholic Church, Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno is a beautiful site, especially for architecture lovers. This church was the original Cathedral of Pisa and is beautiful inside and out.
The great thing about cathedrals in Italy? They’re free for anyone to admire, they’re breathtakingly beautiful and extremely detailed, and they are wonderful for everyone to visit, no matter your religious beliefs.
7. Torre Guelfa
These ancient ruins are a site to see, a free site to see, located right next to the Arno River. Besides having a rich historical background, the Torre Guelfa also offers amazing views of the river and the city of Pisa. You can tack this onto your stroll along the Arno River if you like; it's about a 15-minute walk from the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
8. Giardino Scotto
This park is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the nature of Pisa. Giardino Scotto is a city park, but it is well-kept and houses a very pretty array of flowers and plants. This is a great place to go for a walk in the evening and enjoy the view of the Arno River lighting up at night.
9. Forteza Nuova
Located right next to Giardino Scotto, Forteza Nuova is an ancient fortress. Created by the Florentines in 1468 after the first conquest of Pisa, this fortress is another great historical site to see for FREE, and a great site to tack onto your Arno River stroll as well!
10. Piazza dei Cavalieri
This is a large square that’s surrounded by many beautiful buildings and houses. It was originally the political center of Republican Pisa but was transformed into a military base by Cosimo I de 'Medici, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, whose statue also lives here.
While there is plenty more to see and do in Pisa, Italy, these are all great things to see and do for FREE! You can definitely visit Pisa on a budget and experience the magical charm of this Tuscan city without spending a penny.
We hope you love Pisa as much as we did. If you have questions or need help planning your trip, reach out to us and we’d be happy to help! Want to visit more of Italy? Check out some of our best Italy Travel recommendations like packing suggestions, itineraries, and the best hotels and Airbnbs!
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Which of these free places in Pisa do you plan on visiting? Which have you already visited? Drop a comment below and see where others have been!
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