One of the world’s most renowned historical landmarks, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, stands proudly within the expansive architectural complex known as ‘Piazza Dei Miracoli’ or the ‘Square Of Miracles.’
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a repository of extraordinary architectural masterpieces that not only defy belief but also inspire profound reverence.
However, it is a curious twist of fate orchestrated by the gods that the most iconic of these structures is the one marked by imperfection, cherished precisely for its anomaly.
Nestled in the Tuscan region of Italy, the town of Pisa resides in a landscape so abundant in wonders that it evokes a sense of both reverence and envy.
This article covers everything you must know before booking a tour of the Leaning Tower Of Pisa.
Top Leaning Tower of Pisa Tickets
# Pisa Day Tour with Leaning Tower of Pisa
# Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti Experience
# Tuscany Day Trip with Lunch at Chianti winery
Table of contents
- What to expect at Leaning Tower Of Pisa
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Leaning Tower of Pisa ticket price
- Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets
- How to reach Leaning Tower Of Pisa
- Leaning Tower Of Pisa timings
- How long does the tour take
- Best time to visit Leaning Tower Of Pisa
- Leaning Tower of Pisa history
- Leaning Tower of Pisa facts
- Leaning Tower of Pisa poses
- FAQs about the Leaning Tower of Pisa
What to expect at Leaning Tower Of Pisa
Explore Tuscany, the Italian region that houses Pisa and its iconic Leaning Tower.
This area boasts one of the world’s most stunning landscapes, flourishing with natural beauty and cultural marvels, all under the embrace of delightful Mediterranean weather.
Upon arriving in Pisa, immerse yourself in the enchanting ‘Piazza Dei Miracoli,’ showcasing four resplendent structures gleaming in pure white. Wander through the Cathedral (Duomo), a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and exquisite interiors.
Experience the fascinating acoustics of the Baptistry, crafted in marble and bronze, and find solace amidst the tranquil cloisters and captivating frescoes of the Camposanto Monumentale cemetery—a space that invites contemplation and unveils the city’s rich history and culture.
Embark on a guided journey through the Piazza, unraveling its history and learning about the miscalculations and unstable ground that led to the Tower’s famous lean, along with the subsequent efforts to protect it.
Witness the iconic Pisa Tower under the Italian sun, pondering its presence in countless stories, postcards, and popular culture references.
Ascend its spiral staircase of 294 steps, pondering the centuries that have passed by this legendary bell tower.
Savor panoramic views of the lush Pisan countryside from the Tower’s pinnacle.
Extend your adventure to Chianti’s renowned vineyards, treating yourself to a delectable Italian lunch complemented by exquisite Chianti wine.
Continue your exploration with a stroll through San Gimignano, renowned as the medieval Manhattan for its skyline dominated by fourteen ancient towers, symbols of historical power and wealth. Wander through its labyrinth of cobbled streets, churches, and local craft stores.
Finally, answer the beckoning call of the mesmerizing Italian Riviera with a visit to the Cinque Terre National Park, a collection of five vibrant and colorful coastal towns.
Immerse yourself in the picturesque settings of Vernazza, Manarola, and Corniglia, where pastel and red buildings cascade down to the harbors, embraced by quaint alleys, iconic sunsets, and pristine waterfronts — a realm that resembles the dream of a healer brought to life.
Where to book tickets
From Florence: Pisa Day Tour with Leaning Tower of Pisa is available online and on the premises of Piazza Dei Miracoli.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.
How do online tickets work
When you go to Pisa Day Tour with Leaning Tower of Pisa online portal, you will be first asked to select a date and time slot for your visit.
You will then be asked to specify the number of people you need to book tickets for.
Once you complete the bookings, the tickets will be emailed to you.
You don’t need to carry printouts.
On the day of your visit, you can show the e-ticket on your smartphone and begin the tour.
Bring your official IDs.
Leaning Tower of Pisa ticket price
For Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti Experience, an adult ticket for all ages above 13 costs €32.
Children between four and 12 are charged €64.
Infants under three are not charged anything.
For the Tuscany Day Trip with Lunch at Chianti winery, an adult ticket for all ages above 13 costs €115.
Youths between the ages of eight and 12 can find the entrance at €100.
Children under eight are not allowed for this tour.
For the Pisa Half-Day Afternoon Tour from Florence, an adult ticket for all ages above 13 costs €55.
Children between four and 12 are charged €28.
Infants under three can enter free of cost.
For the Full-Day Private Cinque Terre Tour with Pisa an adult ticket for all ages can be bought at €695.
Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets
The Leaning Tower of Pisa Tours offers a range of options for you to pick from according to your interests and your budget:
Pisa Day Tour with Leaning Tower of Pisa
Distance: 88 km (54.68 miles)
Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes by car.
Join the top-rated and most extensive tour available, designed for a full day of marveling at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the renowned Piazza Dei Miracoli.
Your journey begins with a luxurious coach equipped with advanced sound systems, air conditioning, and all modern amenities, departing from Florence at 8.15 am and returning you to your starting point.
Led by a seasoned tour guide, you’ll embark on an immersive expedition through these iconic landmarks.
Your ticket covers admission to both the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower, ensuring a comprehensive experience.
Do note that children below the age of eight are not allowed on this tour.
Prepare for a captivating tour that spans approximately seven hours, filled with historical insights and architectural wonders.
Meeting Point: Located a 5 to 10-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella Train Station.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (13+ years): €85
Child Ticket (8 to 12 Years): €43
Tuscany Day Trip with Lunch at Chianti winery
Distance
Florence to Pisa: 88 km (54.68 miles)
Pisa To San Gimignano: 79 km (49 miles)
San Gimignano To Siena: 41.3 km (25.7 miles)
Time Taken
Florence to Pisa: 1 hour 20 minutes by car.
Pisa To San Gimignano: 1 hour 18 minutes by car
San Gimignano To Siena: 41 minutes by car
This comprehensive tour offers an ideal way to expand your Pisa day trip by exploring the diverse treasures of Tuscany.
Commencing at 8 am in Florence, a comfortable coach equipped with air conditioning and modern amenities will transport you to Pisa, guided by an expert tour guide.
Following your Pisa exploration, the journey continues to the picturesque vineyards of Chianti, where you’ll indulge in a delightful wine-tasting session coupled with a sumptuous lunch.
Next on the itinerary is the enchanting village of San Gimignano, inviting you to wander its cobblestone streets, charming squares, and local boutiques.
For those seeking an extended adventure, an optional addition to the historic village of Sienna awaits. There, your guide will lead you through iconic squares like Piazza del Campo and the city’s notable church, revealing the picturesque essence of this captivating city.
Additionally, this tour offers a private Tuscany experience, allowing you to elevate your journey with a private minivan, a guided Sienna tour, a dedicated host, a delectable lunch, and an exquisite Chianti wine-tasting affair.
Meeting Point: Meet your guide at the Sightseeing Experience Visitor Center desk at the ticket hall of the Santa Maria Novella train station. Get Directions
Ticket Prices
Tuscany Tour In English
Adult Ticket (13+ years): €64
Child Ticket (4 to 12 years): €32
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Tuscany with a Guided Tour of Siena
Adult Ticket (13+ years): €84
Child Ticket (4 to 12 years): €42
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Private Tour of Tuscany: €250
Private Tuscany Tour with Host, Lunch, Wine Tasting: €370
Private Tuscany Tour with Host, Lunch, Wine Tasting, and Guided Tour of Siena: €403
Pisa Half-Day Afternoon Tour from Florence
Distance: 88 km
Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes by car.
This tour offers the most affordable option to explore Pisa at your own pace. Opt for a self-guided tour of the Piazza Dei Miracoli, providing an economical yet fulfilling experience.
Departing from Florence at 1:30 pm, a coach with modern amenities, including an advanced sound system and air conditioning, will ensure a comfortable journey, returning you to the original meeting point.
The tour spans six hours, offering ample time to explore the wonders of Pisa independently.
Please note, this ticket does not cover admission to the Cathedral or the Leaning Tower.
Meeting Point: Near the Santa Novella Train Station, head towards “Via Valfonda” (Valfonda Street) and proceed straight until reaching the end of the street, where the Fortress (Fortezza da Basso) stands. Cross the street and continue on the left side until you spot Piazzale Montelungo, a sizable square with car and bus parking on the right side. Look for the assistant here to begin your tour.
Ticket Prices
Self Guided Tour
Adult Ticket (13+ years): €39
Child Ticket (4 to 12 years): €20
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Guided Tour
Adult Ticket (13+ years): €64
Child Ticket (4 to 12 years): €28
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Full-Day Private Cinque Terre Tour with Pisa
This full-day, 10-hour tour is a gateway to a one-of-a-kind experience.
You will be picked up from Florence in a private minivan, and from there, you will be transported to the mesmerizing Cinque Terre National Park on the Italian Riviera.
Of the five towns, you will spend time in Vernazza, Manarola, and Corniglia.
From Manarola, a ferry will transport you to Vernazza.
Of the three towns, Corniglia doesn’t have direct access to the sea, and you will climb a flight of stairs to get there.
After the Italian Riviera, you will head to Pisa for a tour of the Piazza Dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower.
After the Pisa visit, you will drop by your original location in Florence.
Ticket Prices: €695
Save time and money! Buy the Florence Pass, the key to exploring the city’s top attractions. Visit the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery and get skip-the-line access to Brunelleschi’s Dome. The pass also includes a downloadable audio guide app.
How to reach Leaning Tower Of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is in Piazza Dei Miracoli, approximately 1.7 km (~1 mile) from Pisa’s main railway station, the Pisa Centrale.
Address: Piazza del Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli), 56126 Pisa PI, Italy. Get Directions.
The Leaning Tower is well-connected by public transportation.
By Bus
The Cavallotti bus station is just a 1-minute walk away.
The Bonanno 5 bus station is a 3-minute walk away.
The Piazza Dei Miracoli bus station is a 5-minute walk away.
By Train
The Pisa San Rossore train station is a 12-minute walk away.
The Pisa Centrale is just 1.7 kilometers (1.05 miles) away.
By Car
Put your starting point here to navigate to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Leaning Tower Of Pisa timings
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has varying opening hours throughout the year:
- March 1 to March 23: 9 am to 6 pm
- March 23 to March 29: (Specific timings not provided)
- March 30 and 31: (Specific timings not provided)
- April to September: (Specific timings not provided)
- June 16: 8:30 am to 5:30 am
- June 17 to August 31: 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
- October: 9 am to 7 pm
- November: 9:45 am to 5:15 pm
- December and January: 10 am to 5 pm
- December 5 to December 8: 9 am to 6:30 pm
- December 21 to January 6: 10 am to 7 pm
- February: 9:45 am to 5:15 pm
How long does the tour take
A tour of Piazza Dei Miracoli will take you around three hours to finish.
A tour of the Leaning Tower, including the climb, lasts for around 60 to 90 minutes.
Best time to visit Leaning Tower Of Pisa
The best time to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa is before 11 am.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa attracts huge crowds from 11 am to mid-afternoon.
Leaning Tower of Pisa history
Work on the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in August 1173 during the Middle Ages, intended as a freestanding bell tower for the nearby Pisa Cathedral.
Architect Bonanno Pisano designed its distinctive cylindrical shape. However, after five years, the tower started sinking due to unstable subsoil, leading to pauses in construction due to political unrest and wars.
Nearly a century later, construction resumed in 1272 under Giovanni di Simone’s direction, modifying the design to accommodate the lean.
The tower’s seventh and final story was completed in 1370. Over time, the lean increased, attracting the attention of scientists like Galileo Galilei, who used it for gravity experiments.
In the 20th century, concerns about stability prompted a restoration project in the 1990s, temporarily closing it to the public for structural reinforcement. This involved anchoring the raised end’s foundation and excavating soil to prevent further tilting.
Leaning Tower of Pisa facts
Here are a few interesting facts about the Leaning Tower Of Pisa:
The Leaning Tower of Pisa began tilting during its construction due to soft, unstable ground. Its construction spanned nearly two centuries, allowing time for the soil to settle and prevent a collapse.
Initially leaning at 5.5 degrees, restoration efforts, particularly from 1991 to 2001, reduced the tilt to about 3.97 degrees.
Standing at around 56 meters (183 feet) on the lower side and 57 meters (187 feet) on the higher side, the tower comprises eight stories and about 294 steps in its spiral staircase.
Originally planned as the bell tower for Pisa’s Cathedral, the Tower faced multiple interruptions in construction due to wars and economic challenges faced by the Pisan city-state.
Legend has it that Galileo conducted his famed gravity experiment here by dropping objects of different masses, demonstrating that they fall with the same acceleration regardless of their mass.
Leaning Tower of Pisa poses
With its pronounced tilt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa provides visitors with a variety of imaginative and entertaining photo opportunities. Here are some fun and creative photo ideas to make the most of the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s unique tilt:
Classic Holding Pose: Appear to prop up or push against the tower, creating a playful illusion.
Leaning Pose: Embrace the tower’s lean by leaning against it or tilting your body in sync with its angle.
Kicking or Pushing Pose: Create the illusion of nudging or kicking the tower upright for a whimsical effect.
Jumping Pose: Time your jump to make it seem like you’re leaping off or over the tower in an exciting shot.
For a twist:
Acrobatic Acts: Try handstands, yoga poses, or other acrobatic moves against the tower for a blend of health and photography.
Next to the tower, there’s a fountain with a reflective pool. Capture the tower’s reflection for a lovely and artistic photo opportunity.
For breathtaking shots:
Golden Hour: Visit during sunrise or sunset to bathe the tower in warm, mellow light, creating a captivating ambiance.
Silhouette Magic: Against the vibrant sky, capture the tower’s silhouette for enchanting and picturesque photographs that highlight its distinct shape.
FAQs about the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the Leaning Tower of Pisa:
The tower ‘leans’ as it began to tilt during its construction due to a foundation laid in unstable, soft ground.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to climb the tower. Extensive restoration work has been carried out and various safety measures have been put in place for visitors.
Yes, but only a limited number of people are allowed inside the tower.
The Tower is part of the Pisa Cathedral Complex, or the Piazza Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) as it is better known. The other monuments around it are the Pisa Cathedral, the Baptistry and the Camposanto Monumentale.
You can easily buy tickets for a guided tour on the ticket booking page of the Leaning Tower of Pisa tours.
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