One day trip to Pisa, Italy

INTRODUCTION

Pisa is a beautiful small town in Italy, home to the famous Wonder of the World, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Visiting from Milan, I would recommend going on a three to four day trip to Florence and visiting Pisa for a day within the trip, as the cities are located very near to each other. However, if the budget and time does not allow for it, you can go directly to Pisa from Milan for a day trip.

TRANSPORTATION

From Milan, you can either opt for the bus or train to Pisa. I will recommend the train as it takes three to four hours, and the bus takes double the time, wasting half of your day in transit. The train tickets will cost approximately or in between 20-30 euros, and the bus is 5-10 euros cheaper.

I travelled to Pisa by an early morning train. From the Pisa Centrale train station I took a bus that directly travels to Leaning Tower of Pisa. The ticket for the bus costs 1.5 euros and can be purchased from the Bus Information Center at the station, or it can also be purchased directly from the driver in the bus, but from there it will cost 2.5 euros.

LEANING TOWER OF PISA

The distance from the train station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa is around fifteen minutes. The entry ticket to the monument was 18 euros for me. All bags have to be stowed in a locker available near the booking office, as they are not allowed inside the monument. Then you walk towards the Tower, while enjoying and appreciating the gardens and the tourists from all around the world. 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is tilted, and has a spiral staircase to climb to the top. It is a tough climb, especially at the top, consisting of two hundred fifty one steps, crossing approximately seven floors. So bear the climb in mind before planning your trip!

The top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa offers beautiful 360 degree views of the city, with the pretty terracotta tiled roofs and the European architecture spanning across a beautiful sky. I will definitely recommend reaching there on time in the morning, or maximum by afternoon, so you can appreciate the city in the beautiful sun light! The tower is open from 9 am to 7 pm every day.

You only get thirty minutes on the top, before the next group starts their ascent, so make sure to get the most of it. 

LUNCH/EVENING STROLL

As you leave the area around the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you enter a street filled with great looking restaurants and cafes (the way only Italian streetscapes can look) - that is the Piazza del Duomo! The Duomo of Pisa is another site that should be visited as it is rooted in the history and culture of the city. Unfortunately I did not have enough time and was unable to explore further. 

For lunch, I chose the restaurant called Strittendfud Cibi di Strada, Pisa which had an experimental-like cuisine and palate which i found quite delectable. The pricing was average and not very expensive.

After lunch I walked along the Arno River for some time, appreciating the streetscape and watching the sky turn darker and the city getting lit up. It was a really nice end to the hectic day, giving me some peace and comfort and letting me take in the vibe of Pisa. For added peace, you can purchase a cone of the world famous Italian gelato and gently finish it while continuing your pleasant stroll.

GOING BACK

I went back the same way I came- took the bus from outside the Leaning Tower of Pisa to Pisa Centrale station, and took a train from there to Milan Centrale. 

The trip to Pisa for a day is a little hectic if going straight from Milan, hence my recommendation in the beginning to club it with a trip to Florence. However, you can still make it work, like I did!