top of page
NAB00052_edited.jpg

Hi, we're Georgina and Nathan, college friends turned travel partners. We're coffee and animal-loving adventure enthusiasts here to share our favorite travel tips with you! Our goal is to inspire others to get out and explore this wild planet by camping, hiking, or wandering around a fun new city!

5 Apps & a Free Planner

Join our newsletter to receive the 5 apps I use to plan a trip, my go-to travel essentials list, and a free travel planner pdf!

Free Travel Planner Printable!

free travel planner printable pdf.jpg

Grab your FREE travel planner printable below and get planning your next trip with Alpacka My Bags!

  • Georgina D'Angelo

What to do in Pisa for a Day: Ultimate 1-Day Itinerary

Updated: Sep 15


What to Do in Pisa for a Day. The Ultimate 1-Day Pisa Itinerary - Alpacka My Bags

This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of them. Alpacka My Bags is by no means responsible for any products or services purchased with any third-party provider.


The city of Pisa, Italy, located in the Tuscany region, is quite small and yet it offers so much charm, history, and art. You do not want to miss out on all the wonder Pisa has to offer! There’s more to see than just the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and there’s definitely lots of great food and drinks to be consumed.


Pisa is a popular place to visit, but we found that most people were actually locals here. You'll see more people riding their Vespas to work, or families walking to and from school than you will large groups of tourists.


If you want to experience an iconic Italian city without the overflow of tourists, then Pisa is for you. The Leaning Tower and the surrounding Piazza del Duomo are very busy, but once you’re away from this small area, the streets aren’t crowded.


We spent 3 days exploring this beautiful Italian city, but even one day will give you plenty of time to admire the best parts of Pisa, Italy. So if you’re planning a day trip to Pisa, check out our ultimate 1-day Pisa itinerary!


view of pisa from the leaning tower of pisa italy
View from the top of the Leaning Tower

What to do in Pisa in One Day Overview

  1. Breakfast at Filter Coffee Lab

  2. Leaning Tower of Pisa and Piazza del Duomo

  3. Lunch at Ristoro Pecorino

  4. Tuttomondo

  5. Gelato Break at Gelateria De’ Coltelli

  6. Stroll Down to the River Arno

  7. Dinner at I Porci Comodi

While Pisa is a relatively small Italian city, there are many things to see and do that keep you busy while exploring its streets. But if you only have a short time in this quaint Tuscan city, here's just what to do in Pisa for one day.


1. Breakfast at Filter Coffee Lab

Grab a yummy breakfast meal and delicious coffee or tea at Filter Coffee Lab to start your day of Pisa adventures. This cafe has many options when it comes to drinks, pastries, and food, so there will be something for everyone here. We loved Filter Coffee Lab so much, that we went three days in a row!


2. Leaning Tower and Piazza del Duomo

You simply cannot go to Pisa, Italy without visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa! While you’re by the tower, stick around and enjoy the rest of the historic sites and museums around the Piazza del Duomo.


You can buy tickets that allow you to enter the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower at a reserved time slot. If you have any more time, check out the Camposanto, Battistero di San Giovanni (Pisa Baptistery), Sinopie Museum, and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (Opera Museum). There is a lot to see here, but if you’re short on time, you should definitely check out at least a few of these places.


3. Lunch at Ristoro Pecorino

Enjoy a delicious pasta or pizza meal for lunch at Ristoro Pecorino. We tried multiple pastas here, as well as appetizers, and everything was delicious. One of our favorites was the Pici Cacio e Pepe, and an Aperol Spritz is also a must-add to your meal here!



4. Tuttomondo & Piazza Vittoria Emanuele II

Are you a fan of murals or street art? Head over to “Tuttomondo” next and admire this vibrant artwork completed by the late Keith Haring. “Tuttomondo,” meaning “All World,” is a tribute to peace in the world and living in harmony together.


This is a beautiful piece of art, and definitely worth the walk if you have time! It's located near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II which is a nice area to stroll around; there are shops and restaurants here.


5. Gelato Break at Gelateria De’ Coltelli

Wander down to this delicious gelateria, and grab some of the best gelato in Italy. Gelateria De’ Coltelli is an original, family-run gelateria located right next to the Arno River in Pisa. They are known for their one-of-a-kind flavors.


They have a few staples, like vanilla and caramel, but they also have unique flavors like goat cheese macadamia nut. We loved every flavor we tried, even the ones we weren’t sure about. You do not want to miss out on this gelato!


7. Stroll Down to the River Arno

Once you have a gelato in hand, take a stroll down the Arno River. Enjoy the city coming to life as the evening approaches. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful houses and architecture lining the river while you eat your delicious gelato.


And you can immerse yourself in an authentic night in Pisa while people begin meeting their friends and family and going out for dinner. Don't forget to snap some photos of an iconic Pisa view.


Houses along the River Arno - What to Do in Pisa for a Day
Houses along the River Arno

8. Dinner at I Porci Comodi

Enjoy dinner at I Porci Comodi, an upscale sandwich shop known for its rather unique and incredible sandwiches. We ordered the Capriccio Vegetale and the Il Panino di Corinna; both were delicious and great vegetarian options!


They also have soups, hot dishes, meat and cheese platters, and desserts. This is a great option for dinner after a busy day exploring Pisa, as it’s delicious, affordable, and very filling.



Bonus: Botanical Garden and Museum


If you find you have a couple of extra hours during your day, head to the Pisa's Botanical Garden and Museum. This lush garden is perfect for you outdoor lovers who always add a slice of nature to your trips.


Covering almost five acres of land, this botanic garden hosts plants from all around the world. There are multiple gardens to meander through and admire all the different flowers. There's even a succulent greenhouse. It's well worth a visit if you have a few hours to spend here!


Pisa Botanical Garden and Museum
Pisa Botanical Garden and Museum

What to Do in Pisa for a Day


This 1-day Pisa Itinerary is made up of some of our favorite activities we found in Pisa. There’s so much more to see here, but if you only have one day, you have to check these all off your list!


Stop by the iconic Leaning Tower and check out the magnificent details of the cathedral. Grab a delicious Tuscan lunch, and don't forget an Aperol spritz and a gelato too! Pisa is a relatively small Italian city, but it's so charming and welcoming you don't want to miss it.


Plan to spend a couple of nights here or even stop by on a day trip from Rome or Florence. Explore the best of Pisa and see for yourself how lovely this city is. Ciao, buon viaggio. Have a nice trip to Pisa, Italy!


You might also like to read...


Save this post for later!

What to Do in Pisa for a Day - Alpacka My Bags Pinterest Cover


Post: Blog2_Post

Ready To Book Your Trip...

Planning a vacation can be time-consuming and a little overwhelming. To help smooth this process for you, we've compiled our favorite travel planning resources.

From finding the best flights and hotels to the essentials you need to make the most of your trip, check out the Alpacka My Bags travel resources page.

5 Apps & a Free Planner

Join our newsletter to receive the 5 apps I use to plan a trip, my go-to travel essentials list, and a free travel planner pdf!

Alpacka My Bags Travel Blog.jpg

aboutus

We're Georgina and Nathan, two adventure enthusiasts and creators of Alpacka My Bags. We're here for all of your travel and adventure planning needs! 

 

We've been exploring this insane planet that we call home together for over 3 years now. After college, we knew the "traditional career path" was not for us, and honestly the "traditional life path", in general, just wasn't for us.

 

We needed to travel and explore what this world has to offer, it sounds cliché but you do only live once. So we made going on adventures a priority, and soon realized that we wanted to share them with others so they can enjoy them too! 

Our passion is spreading the travel bug and showing others that travel is attainable and so worth it. From itineraries to camping tips to packing lists, Alpacka My Bags has you covered!

Join us, and often our dog, JoJo, as we find exciting adventures and travel recommendations for you! If you've been bit by the travel bug just as we have, we hope you find our tips useful for any and all of your future travels.

bottom of page