Getting There

By plane: Pisa is served by Galileo Galilei International Airport, which is a mere 2 kilometres from the city centre. To get into the city from the airport you can take a 10-minute bus ride or an equally short trip on the train from the airport's own station. Alternatively, you can catch a relatively inexpensive cab.

By train: Pisa Centrale is the city's main railway station. Services run from here to a selection of major cities across the country including Florence, Rome and more.

By bus: The city's main bus station is located in Piazza Sant'Antonia, with services departing regularly to cities across Italy.

Getting Around

On foot: Pisa has quite a compact city centre, with lots of the top attractions, bars and restaurants reachable on foot. Many of its streets are pedestrianised, making it even easier to get around.

By bus: Regular bus services operate throughout Pisa. The LAM buses run on three routes: the red, blue and green lines. All three lines connect the central station with places like Piazza del Duomo, the airport and more.

By taxi: Taxis can be found throughout the city centre and are a relatively cheap way to get around if you don't feel like walking.

Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Pisa sees hot summers with plenty of sunshine. July and August usually get the highest temperatures, with an average of around 23ºC. Spring and autumn are generally very mild with pleasant temperatures, making the city quite popular with visitors during these times. In winter, Pisa sees its coldest, wettest weather. Temperatures drop to around 6.5ºC in January, while November sees the most rainfall with an average of 122mm falling throughout the month.

Embassies and Consulates

USA: +39 (0)55 266 951*
Canada: +39 (0)6 854 4439**
Australia: +39 (0)6 852 721**
New Zealand: +39 (0)6 853 7501**
South Africa: +39 (0)55 281 863*
UK: +39 (0)6 4220 0001**
Germany: +39 (0)6 492 131**
Spain: +39 (0)6 684 0401**
Ireland: +39 (0)6 697 9121**
France: +39 (0)6 686 011**

* Consulates in Florence
** Embassies in Rome

Lo Sfizio, Borgo Stretto 54, Santa Maria One of the many cafés along Borgo Stretto, Lo Sfizio stands out thanks to its comfortable atmosphere, tempting menu and great prices. A good place to stop at any time of the day, it offers everything from pastries and coffee to pasta and gelato. Open daily, 7am-2am.

Ristorante Centrale Internazionale, Piazza Vittorio Emanuelle II 1, Sant'Antonio Offering a selection of typical Tuscan dishes, the menu here is varied and great value, with a huge choice of pizzas, pasta dishes and more. While the decor may be pretty plain, the food is anything but, so it's well-worth a look for either lunch or dinner. Open daily, 10am-3.30pm, 6pm-11.30pm.

Capatosta, Via Palestro 37, San Francesco The perfect place for lunch, dinner or just a snack, Capatosta is a stone's throw from Pisa's Teatro Verdi. The food is just as appealing as the location, with a number of daily specials to choose from including delicious bowls of pasta and cheap salads. Open Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-4pm, closed Sun.

Ristorante Duomo, Via Roma 70, Santa Maria If you sit at one of the tables outside this popular spot, you'll be able to catch a pretty substantial glimpse of the cathedral while you eat. The restaurant offers a top-notch selection of Italian dishes. From pasta to veal, it's all on the menu here with daily specials available too. Open daily, 11am-10pm.

A typical Tuscan treat Ristorante Turrido, Via D. Cavalca 64, Santa Maria A restaurant with a welcoming family-run feel, Ristorante Turrido serves up a great selection of Italian favourites at great prices. The ravioli with porcini mushrooms (pictured) is just one of the particularly tasty offerings, with desserts such as panna cotta and tiramisu providing a lip-smacking end to your meal. Open Mon-Sat 6.30pm-10.30pm, closed Sun.

Bazeel, Lungarno Antonio Pacinotti, 1, Santa Maria One of the best things about this popular spot is the outdoor seating area. From here you can watch the sun set over the Arno while you enjoy a beer or a cocktail and soak up the buzz of conversation. DJs provide the tunes on Friday and Saturday evenings, with live music on Thursdays and Sundays. Open daily, 7am-1am.

Amaltea, Lungarno Mediceo, 49, San Francesco A hip bar teeming with punters, Amaltea is a local favourite with packed tables spilling from the bar across Piazza Cairoli. There are plenty of places to perch in the chic interior too, with platters of free food laid out along the bar. Beers, wines, spirits and cocktails won't break the bank here. Open Mon-Tues 5pm-1am, Wed-Sun 5pm-2am.

Pick a Flower, Via della Sapienza 7, Santa Maria Stretched over two floors, this lively bar also has a spread of tables outside. These are a favourite with students from the nearby University of Pisa, who you'll hear before you see as you head towards this bar on a busy night. Friendly staff serve up beer, wine and more. Open Mon-Fri 8am-1am, Sat-Sun 6pm-1am.

Caffe Gambrinus, Viale A. Gramsci 2, Sant'Antonio Busy but with a laid-back atmosphere typical of the city, this chic wine bar is worth a look. Not only does it offer a wide variety of red and white wines, you'll also find spirits and beers. While you drink, you can snack on peanuts, crisps and more, and the covered tables outside are the perfect spot to people-watch on a warm Pisa night. Open daily, 24 hours.

Ambaraba, Vicolo della Croce Rossa 5, Santa Maria Tucked in off the beaten track down a little side street, Ambaraba is first and foremost a cocktail bar. It offers a huge choice of brightly coloured tipples, to be enjoyed in the comfortable interior. The friendly atmosphere and the affordable prices make this a popular spot with anyone who enjoys a good cocktail. Open Sun-Thurs 8pm-1am, Fri-Sat 8pm-2am, closed Tues.

Lean on me The Leaning Tower, Piazza del Duomo, Santa Maria One of the world's most iconic attractions, the Leaning Tower of Pisa's incredibly noticeable slant attracts huge numbers of visitors. Built in the 12th century, it sports almost 300 steps leading to great views at the top. Open daily, Nov-Feb 10am-5pm, Mar 9am-6pm, Apr-Sept 8am-8pm, Oct 9am-7pm; admission €15.

Orto botanico di Pisa, Via Luca Ghini 5, Santa Maria Opened at its present location in 1591, Pisa's botanic gardens are run by the University of Pisa. Here you'll come across colourful flowers, tropical greenhouses, ancient trees and prickly cacti. Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, Sat 8.30am-1pm, closed Sun; admission €2.50.

Battistero, Piazza del Duomo, Santa Maria The awesome acoustics are the main draw here. So try to time your arrival to coincide with the hour or half hour when one of the security guards steps up and lets out a string of vocalisations to demonstrate. Open daily, Nov-Feb 10am-5pm, Mar 9am-6pm, Apr-Sept 8am-8pm, Oct 9am-7pm; admission €5.

Museo di San Matteo, Piazza San Matteo in Soarta, San Francesco Sprawled out across three floors, this museum is filled with a varied collection of statues, coins, plaster work, paintings and more. Religious art is quite prevalent, with a number of crosses from as far back as the 12th century on display. Open Tues-Sun 9am-7pm, closed Mon; admission €5.

Camposanto, Piazza del Duomo, Santa Maria From intricate headstones to intriguing statues, the Camposanto is a good spot for a stroll. This monumental cemetery holds the remains of notable citizens including members of the Medici family. Open daily, Nov-Feb 10am-5pm, Mar 9am-6pm, Apr-Sept 8am-8pm, Oct 9am-7pm; admission €5.

March-April - Expo Pisa This annual event plays host to hundreds of different exhibitors in the gardening and furnishing trade. Visitors can peruse the stalls for free and also check out the various demonstrations from martial arts to dog shows.

April-May - Lus: Experiments Under the Tower A fun way to learn more about the scientific world, Lus showcases a collection of approximately 50 experiments and games. Following demonstrations, visitors are provided with the opportunity to get a little more hands-on experience of the materials and processes involved.

May - Feast of Saint Ubaldo During this feast, which marks the anniversary of Saint Ubaldo's death, many events take place including a flower market, a crossbow competition and much more.

June - Battle of the Bridge The Battle of the Bridge or 'Gioco del Ponte' sees the city divided in two with both sides 'fighting' over the Ponte de Mezzo, Pisa's main bridge.

June - Luminara di San Ranieri A festival of light, this event celebrates Pisa's patron saint, San Ranieri. During the festival huge numbers of candles are lit all along the Arno River.

June - San Ranieri Regatta Also celebrating Pisa's patron saint, it sees teams from each quarter of the city taking part. The regatta race is held on the Arno, with the course covering a 1,500-metre stretch.

June-July - Music under the Tower An annual series of concerts, this event began in 2002 in order to give locals and visitors the chance to hear great music in a stunning setting.

September - Via dell'Arco Exhibition This long running event brings artists and art lovers together to discuss art. The exhibition held in conjunction with these discussions changes each year.

September-October - Anima Mundi During this well-attended and hugely popular music festival numerous free concerts take place. Boasting acts from around the world, Anima Mundi is a celebration of sacred church music.

October - Pisa Book Festival A free event, the Pisa Book Festival promotes reading and publishing. Workshops and discussions take place, while a culinary area is also set up during the festival.

The walled city Lucca Situated about 20-30 minutes by train from Pisa, Lucca is a typically Tuscan town complete with narrow winding streets and tall, green-shuttered buildings. Also notable are the city walls, which date back to the Renaissance period. The main sights include the cathedral and the home of the composer Puccini, while lots of bars and restaurants can be found in and around Lucca's piazzas.

San Martino Here you'll find Corso Italia, Pisa's top shopping street, which is traversed by lots of shoppers every day. Large numbers of people also head to Via San Martino to have a bite to eat in one of the many eateries stretched along this street. In terms of attractions, Giardino Scotto is the most popular one in this quarter.

San Francesco One of Pisa's historical quarters, San Francesco is home to attractions like the Museo di San Matteo, along with popular hangout spots like Piazza Martiri delle Liberta. Culture vultures will be happy to hear that it also boasts the Teatro Verdi, the place to go in Pisa for ballet, opera, theatre, concerts and more.

Piazza del Duomo The most-visited area in Pisa, the Piazza del Duomo is also known as the Piazza dei Miracoli. As well as the unmissable Leaning Tower, this large square also boasts the Duomo di Pisa, the Battistero, the Camposanto and two important museums. Crowds of people flock here daily, tempted by the top-notch sights and the stalls lining one side of the square.

Santa Maria Piazzas abound in this part of the city, with places like Piazza Dante and Piazza delle Vettovaglie sporting a great selection of shops, restaurants and bars. Piazza dei Cavalieri is another square for you to check out, known for its awesome Renaissance style architecture.

Corso Italia, San Martino Pisa's most popular shopping street, Corso Italia is home to a mix of both local and international brand names including Intimissi, Benetton and more. Tall buildings flank the street, many sporting the city's trademark green shutters. The numerous benches are a great place to sit for a breather in between stores.

Pisanova, Via Venezia Giulia 19, San Michele This shopping centre is about 15 minutes from the city centre and is spread out across two floors. Shops include big name international brands alongside Italian brands such as Original Marines. Electronics and more can also be purchased in this mall. Open Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-8pm.

Borgo Stretto, Santa Maria Another one of the main central shopping streets in Pisa, Borgo Stretto is a pedestrian-friendly street so you can wander along and window shop to your heart's content here. Stores include a selection of top national and international offerings with everything from fashion to children's toys available to buy.

Shops on the square Piazza delle Vettovaglie, Santa Maria Home to a great selection of smaller boutiques and stores, this well-loved square also boasts numerous stalls and one of the most popular food markets in the city. In Piazza delle Vettovaglie, you can get your hands on clothes, shoes, and more, along with a colourful array of fruits and vegetables.

Via dei Mille, Santa Maria Close to the bustling Piazza dei Cavalieri, Via dei Mille is not to be overlooked. It might not look like much but this small, narrow street is home to some of the best book stores in the city. Here you'll find a wide variety of new, second hand and antique tomes covering a huge number of subjects making this street a must for any bibliophiles visiting the city.

Check out the Duomo di Pisa If you want to see Pisa's cathedral for free, then visit on Sunday morning for mass when the €2 admission fee is waived. It's also free every day from November to the end of February. Stained glass, religious art and an intricately decorated ceiling are all part of the cathedral's stunning interior. Open daily Nov-Feb 10am-12.45pm & 2pm-5pm, Mar 10am-6pm, Apr-Sept 10am-8pm, Oct 10am-7pm; admission free on Sunday mornings and daily from Nov-Feb.

Fortress of fun Go for a stroll in Giardino Scotto Park Inside the converted fortress of Cittadella Nuova, this park hosts outdoor concerts and movie nights. From beautiful greenery to bouncy mini-trampolines, it has something for everyone. Open daily Nov-Jan 9.30am-4.30pm, Feb-Mar & Oct 9am-6pm, Apr 9am-7pm, May-Jun & Sept 9am-8pm, Jul-Aug 8am-8pm; admission free.

Hang out with the locals in Piazza Martiri della Liberta This open area is a favourite with people who camp out around the square during daylight hours chatting and eating. Surrounded by tall trees, the square has lots of shaded areas, perfect for taking a break from the sun while wandering around.

Have a wander around La Cittadella Originally constructed in the early 15th century, parts of Pisa's citadel had to be rebuilt following WWII. Today, it's a good place to go for a stroll while you take in the old-school architecture of the fortress and check out the great views down the Arno River.

Get free water at Pisa's drinking fountains Pisa can get pretty hot so you'll need to keep hydrated while you check out the sights. Instead of spending your hard-earned cash on bottle after bottle, make use of the drinking fountains all over the city to refill your water for free. One of the most popular of these is found in Piazza del Duomo.

Start the day with some fortifying Italian coffee and a pastry at Lo Sfizio on Borgo Stretto.

Walk towards the Piazza del Duomo, where you can visit the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

While here you should also have a look around the cathedral and the Battistero (pictured below), and visit the two major museums on the piazza.

Check out Via Santa Maria and Via Roma close to Piazza del Duomo for a selection of restaurants offering great value lunches.

Go back towards the river and stroll along Lungarno Mediceo for awesome views of the Arno until you get to the Museo di San Matteo, which is well worth a look.

Cross the Ponte della Fortezza and head to Giardino Scotto where you can enjoy a walk around the beautiful park.

Wander back along Via San Martino towards Corso Italia, which is Pisa's main shopping street.

Go across the Arno again for dinner at one of the many restaurants near Piazza Dante such as Ristorante Turrido.

After eating, check out some of the bars in this part of Santa Maria, including Pick a Flower or Ambaraba for great value cocktails.

Finish the night at popular nightspots like Amaltea or Bazeel, where you can enjoy your drinks in a friendly atmosphere.