One Week Tuscany Itinerary - 7-day Road Trip
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Tuscany serves up everything you expect to enjoy in Italy: impressive art and architecture, beautiful landscapes, and delicious food and wine.
And while a week here is not enough time to see or do nearly everything that this region has to offer, it’s long enough to offer up a lovely introduction and to give you a taste of everything mentioned above.
With 7 days, you’ll have time to experience Florence and its Renaissance treasures, and then head south to medieval Siena, via the glorious countryside of the Chianti region.
From Siena, you’ll head on southeast to the famed Val d’Orcia, where you’ll cruise through scenic countryside and can experience small town life in Montepulciano, Pienza, Montichiello, and other ancient hilltop towns.
Finally, finish your trip back in the north of the region, touring Pisa, which has much more to offer than just the Leaning Tower.
After a very busy 7 days, you’ll be impressed, a little overwhelmed, and a bit in awe at the wonderful places you’ve just discovered. And without question, you’ll be ready to start planning another trip to explore the places you weren’t able to fit into this one!
More Tuscany travel info:
For more info on travel in Tuscany, check out our Tuscany travel guide and our guide to Chianti.
And if you could use some one-on-one help planning your trip to Tuscany, consider scheduling a Tuscany travel consultation!
Table of Contents
Day 1 - Florence
Day 2 - Florence
Day 3 - Chianti road trip and Siena
Day 4 - Siena
Day 5 - Val d’Orcia road trip and Montepulciano
Day 6 - Montepulicano and Val d’Orcia - San Quirico d’Orcia, Pienza, Montichiello
Day 7 - Pisa
Local help with your planning
In this itinerary we’ve tried to cover the highlights of Tuscany while also giving time to explore the region’s gorgeous countryside and charming small towns. This itinerary is a good jumping off point for a first-time visitor, but where you should go in Tuscany depends on your interests and your travel style.
So if could use some help coming figuring out your plan, schedule a Tuscany travel consultation with our Local Expert, Stefano!
These are one-hour Zoom calls where you’ll get to chat with Stefano about the trip you’re planning and he’ll share his tips and advice, answer your travel questions, and help you perfect your itinerary.
How to get around
Driving
For this itinerary to work with only 7 days, you’ll need to have a car once you leave Florence. Public transportation in the Tuscan countryside is ok, but it’s not very frequent, you’ll often have to make changes, and it won’t work if you have limited time. If you don’t want to rent a car, you should plan on hiring a driver/guide for your visit to Chianti and for your 2 days in the Val d’Orcia.
Where to find a car rental
You’ll find all the major international car rental agencies in Tuscany as well as loads of local companies. Keep in mind though that you typically won’t find rental offices in small towns and will almost always have to go to a city, airport, or busy train station in order to pick up your car.
If you’re flying to Rome before heading to Tuscany, then picking up a car rental at Fiumicino airport when you land makes by far the most sense.
If you’re coming from elsewhere and intend to pick up your rental in Tuscany, you have the largest selection of cars and agencies in Florence and Pisa. This is where Tuscany’s two main airports are, so you have the most cars and usually also the best prices.
In Florence, you can rent directly at the airport or at Santa Maria Novella train station. In Pisa, all the rental agencies are at the airport.
You also have a few rental agencies in Siena, a couple in Arezzo, and a few in Chiusi (near to Montepulciano). If you’re coming off of a cruise ship or ferry, the port city of Livorno also has lots of car rental agencies.
To check prices and book, I recommend using the following two car rental websites:
DiscoverCars includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing. You can often find great deals.
AutoEurope tends to be more expensive, but they only list options from large, well-reviewed companies and their customer service is excellent. Their deals often include “zero deductible” (i.e. full coverage) rental insurance.
Public transport
Public transport in Tuscany is very good, if you stick to the cities. Once you get out into the countryside, your options become much more limited. For trains within Tuscany, your main service provider is always Trenitalia.
For buses, a number of different companies provide services, but the 3 main ones are Tiemme, Autolinee Toscane, and Sitabus. Flixbus also runs some services.
While you could manage this itinerary with a combination of bus and train, you’d have to do a really meticulous job of lining up all your schedules. You also would not be able to get into the countryside.
Where to book train and bus tickets
In general, we recommend booking your public transport tickets directly with the service provider. That said, when you have a lot of options or when you’re not familiar with the different companies, it can be a real hassle to look them all up in order to compare routes and prices.
Omio is an aggregator that shows options for public transport routes all over the world. When you do a search, you’ll be able to see all your options for trains, buses, flights, and even ferries along with a host of different companies that provide the services. Comparing prices is easy, the site has a great design, and you can keep all your bookings in one place. It costs a little bit more than booking direct, but it’s really convenient.
Day 1: Florence
Morning
Begin your first morning in Florence at the Galleria d’Uffizi, erstwhile headquarters of the Medici banking empire and now stuffed to the rafters with the masterpieces of the Renaissance. In gallery after gallery you’ll encounter Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo… this is one of the world’s great museums, so take your time and spend the entire morning here.
When you want to take a break from all the saints and swirling angels, head up to the view-filled rooftop café.
Next stop is another one of Florence’s great Renaissance achievements, the Duomo, the largest church in the world when it was completed around 1436, and topped with Filippo Brunelleschi’s dome that was also the largest in the world in its time.
The enormous cupola dominates the skyline of Florence, and climbing up narrow staircases wedged between the inner and outer shells is a not-to-be missed exertion, with acrophobia-inducing views at the top.
Next door is the octagonal Battistero (Baptistry), where the East Doors, executed in gilded bronze by Lorenzo Ghiberti, depict 10 scenes from the Old Testament with such grace that Michelangelo said “They are so beautiful they would grace the entrance to Paradise.” They’ve been known ever since as the Gates of Paradise. The doors now in place are copies, and the originals are in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
Afternoon
Now do some more art-gazing, along with a late lunch and the best people watching in Florence, from the terrace of Rivoire or one of the other cafes on the airy Piazza della Signoria.
This center of city government, with the Palazzo Vecchio, the Medici’s stronghold, on one side, is filled with statuary - a line-up that includes city fathers, Greek gods, and a copy of Michelangelo’s David. The original of the city’s most famous sculpture is in the Academia, your next stop.
After seeing the David, make the five minute walk over to Piazza San Marco. Here you’ll encounter another artistic genius, Fra Angelico, in the monks’ cells, the cloisters and chapter house of a former convent that now comprise the Museo Nazionale di San Marco.
The good natured Dominican friar found time between his duties caring for the poor to cover the walls with magnificent frescos depicting religious scenes meant to inspire prayer and contemplation.
Evening
A walk at dusk takes you across the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno neighborhood on the other side of the Arno river. This artisans’ quarter is quite gentrified these days, but the narrow streets are still filled with artists’ studios, antiques shops, and fashion boutiques, along with many spots for an aperitivo and dinner.
One of the top choices is Osteria Dell’Enotecca, where modern Tuscan cooking is paired with a large choice of wines; dinner for two with wine is around 100 euros.
Overnight in Florence
Being one of the most visited cities in the world, Florence has a wide selection of hotel/accommodation options, but it’s worth mentioning that many of them, especially in the historic center, are pretty expensive. You can find cheaper options, of course, but that means heading a bit further out from the center - which is no problem, as public transit here is very good.
Below are a few of my favorite places to stay:
Hotel Helvetia and Bristol - One of the city’s historic bastions of luxury is just steps from the Duomo and steeped in hushed, antiques-filled elegance. 400 euros to 500 euros.
Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti - A former monastery from the 16th century is loaded with old world character, filled with comforts, and surrounded by sights. 160 euros to 300 euros.
Il Tornabuoni - A medieval palazzo-turned-hotel has been welcoming guests for almost 200 years, and these days they are welcomed in chic, frescoed surroundings and enjoy a roof terrace high above the city’s most stylish shopping street. 400 euros to 500 euros.
Pensione Bencista - Housed in a rambling villa in the hills above the city, this is a family-run pensione that served up old world charm, stunning views, and shady gardens. The city center is a short bus ride away. 175 euros to 190 euros; closed some winter months.
Soprano Suites - On the top floors of an old mansion and filled with vintage furnishings, this is an appropriately bohemian, albeit luxurious, base in middle of the Oltrarno, the city’s artisan quarter. 180 euros to 260 euros.
Day 2: Florence
Morning
You can’t come to Florence without shopping, so plunge into the Mercato San Lorenzo. Many of the leather goods here are made in China, but it’s hard to walk away without at least a change purse, for which you should bargain relentlessly.
Nearby are the Capelle Medici, housing the sumptuous sarcophagi that Michelangelo created for Florence’s ruling family.
Another treasure trove at this end of the Centro Storico is the church of Santa Maria Novella, covered with frescoes by Massaccio and Ghirlandaio. When the resident Dominican monks weren’t busy surrounding themselves with great art they were growing herbs with which they concocted similarly transcendent scents and soaps for their wealthy patrons.
The tradition continues and perfumes and other toiletries based on their recipes are on offer around the corner in the atmospheric Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, said to be the world’s oldest pharmacy.
Now relax over lunch or a snack in the nearby Mercato Centrale, a covered food hall.
Afternoon
Spend the rest of the day in the Oltrarno area. Make the crossing on the Ponte Santa Trinita, a bridge noted not only for its elegant beauty but also for the fact that what you see is a complete reconstruction. Retreating German troops blew up the original 16th century bridge in 1944, and in the 1950s workers painstakingly reconstructed the span with the original stonework dredged from the river bottom.
Your first stop over here is the church of Santa Maria del Carmine, where Massaccio painted the “Expulsion from Eden” and other frescoes in the Cappella Brancacci that are said to have set the stage for the Renaissance masters who followed him (quite a legacy for a young man who died at age 26).
A ten-minute walk through the streets of the Oltrarno brings you to the monumental Palazzo Pitti, a fittingly grand residence for the Medici dynasty. In the days before Louis XIV built Versailles this was the largest and most opulent palace in the world, and today the ornate salons are yet another Florentine repository of works by Raphael, Titian, Rubens, and other European masters, along with the furnishings that Medici dukes left behind.
Behind the massive palace stretch the Boboli Gardens, a lovely place to close out a day of sightseeing among ponds, fountains, and grottoes.
Evening
Take a last look over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, in the hills above the Boboli Gardens. This is the city’s favorite spot for watching the sunset n- and with the Duomo gleaming in the slanting rays, what a sight it is.
If you haven’t tried bistecca alla Fiorentina, this is your last chance to try it in the namesake city. Head back across the river to the Santa Trinita neighborhood, where friendly, casual Osteria di Giovanni is said to grill the best steak in town. Dinner for two will be about 80 euros.
Overnight in Florence
See hotel options from day 1 above
Connect with Tuscany travel expert Stefano for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips for a better visit!
Day 3: Chianti and Siena
Morning and afternoon
Today, your final destination is Siena, but to get there, you’ll first pass through some of Tuscany’s most iconic countryside to the city’s south. You’ll definitely want a car for this drive, so pick one up in the morning and set out for Siena.
The distance from Florence to Siena is only 60km (37 miles) but you’ll want to take your time getting there and should be prepared to make plenty of stops.
You’ll be crossing through Chianti, one of the most beautiful regions in Tuscany, a hilly landscape of vineyards, olive groves, stands of forests, and pretty stone villages.
The best, most scenery-filled road south from Florence through the heart of the region is the SR222, also called the Chiantigiana.
Along the way are dozens of wineries, many in historic castles, where you can taste the Chiantis and Super Tuscans that put the region on the wine map. Among them is the oldest winery in the world, Ricasoli, established in 1141 at Castello di Brolio outside Gaiole.
Here, in the mid-19th century, Barone Bettino Ricasoli came up with the blend for the region’s acclaimed Chianti Classico wines. Tours include a walk along the ramparts, with views across miles of vineyards and forests of oak.
You might also want to wander on and off the Chiantigiana road to take in the views from the hamlet of Lamole and to walk through Volpaia, San Gusme, and other charming medieval fortified villages still enclosed within their walls.
Stop for lunch in or around Greve. Local hams and cheeses are the focus at the Antica Macelleria Falorni, a butcher shop and bistro on the main square. Lunch for two with wine will be 30 euros or so. Or, if you want more of a show, head out to Antica Macelleria d Cecchini in Panzano, where celebrity butcher/chef Dario Cecchini serves a tasting menu with flair, from 30 euros a person.
After lunch, you’ll still have part of the afternoon to spend in Chianti, and tastings often top the list of activities here in one of Italy’s most famous wine regions.
Two historic wineries near Greve are Castello di Verrazzano, where the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano (who discovered New York Bay) was born, and Castello Vicchiomaggio, where Leonardo da Vinci was once a house guest. Both produce well-regarded Chiantis and offer tours and tastings.
A final stop as you approach Siena is Castellina in Chianti, a lovely little village clustered around a Florentine castle. An atmospheric walk is along the Via delle Volte, an underground passageway in the town walls that was once a defensive lookout and from which you can enjoy views over the countryside.
From Castellina in Chianti, hop back in the car and continue on a final 30 minutes to Siena.
Evening
Once you’ve settled into Siena, first stop is the Campo, the large, scallop-shaped piazza at the city’s heart. Until the plague of 1348 killed as many as half the city’s residents and brought an end to the city’s medieval heydays, Siena was one of the most important trade centers in Europe, as well as a stop on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route between Canterbury and Rome.
The Campo was built to impress with its harmony and grandeur, and the looming presence of the soaring Torre di Mangia. Soak in the ambiance over a cocktail or a glass of wine at an outdoor café overlooking the gracious space; they’re a little expensive, but the view and people-watching are worth it.
Dinner can be your introduction to homey Sienese dishes, along the lines of ribollita (bread and vegetable soup) and pici al cinghiale (pasta with a sauce of wild boar). A welcoming place to try them is Osteria dei Rossi, a neighborhood favorite near the Campo. Dinner for two, with wine, is about 60 euros.
Overnight in Siena
Siena has tons of hotels to choose from, ranging from quite upscale to very budget friendly. Many of them are in converted old palazzi and are quite atmospheric.
Below are a few of my favorites:
Grand Hotel Continental - This 5-star hotel is located across from Piazza Salimbeni right on Siena’s premier pedestrian street and just minutes from Piazza del Campo and the Duomo. From 350 to 700 euros.
Campo Regio Relais – Stylish rooms in an old house look out to the magical cityscape and Duomo, and welcoming sitting rooms open to a sunny terrace. From 200 to 275 euros.
Il Battisero – Stylish rooms and suites in a former papal residence face the Baptistery and enjoy an in-house wine shop and tasting room. From 110 to 160 euros.
Palazzo Ravizza – A 17th-century Renaissance palazzo full of oil paintings, antiques, and beamed ceilings suggests an age of genteel travel, and a large garden enhances the atmosphere. From 100 to 175 euros.
Day 4: Siena
Morning
Return to the Campo to start the day. This time, step inside the Palazzo Pubblico to see Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s 1338 “Allegory of Good and Bad Government.” These remarkable frescoes may be under wraps for restoration, but some other notable works fill the halls.
Whether or not you feel the need to climb the 503 steps of the Torre del Mangia is up to you, but you can enjoy a better view from the Facciatone, an outlook above Piazza del Duomo, a little later.
Enjoy a coffee in one of the cafes surrounding the Campo, then take some time to wander at a leisurely pace to explore the streets that ring the space, Via di Citta and Via Banchi di Sotto, lined with the city’s finest shops.
Some of Siena’s most important medieval palaces are also in this district, and a short walk off Via Banchi di Sotto into Via Montanini brings you to the Palazzo Salimbeni. This Gothic, fortresslike palace was the stronghold of a powerful banking clan and is now the headquarters of the Banco dei Paschi, founded in 1472 and said to be the oldest bank in the world.
A walk off the Campo shows off more of Siena, and, with a few ups and downs, brings you to the Basilica di San Domenico. Inside are the city’s most revered possessions, the severed head and thumb of patron Saint Catherine, and out front are pleasing views across the city and countryside.
From the Basilica, head down toward some narrow lanes and stepped streets until you reach the 13th-century Fontebranda, a monumental waterworks with a series of pools, some that once supplied fresh drinking water and others that were used to water animals and wash clothes and textiles.
From here it’s a short but steep walk back uphill to the Campo.
Afternoon
Now it’s time for lunch, either at a casual place like Gino Cacino d’Angelo, a panino shop behind flowering shrubbery on Piazza Mercato, or one of the many trattorias that cater to neighborhood locals.
Linger over wine and coffee, then head back toward the Campo and follow the Via di Citta toward another great landmark of the medieval city: the soaring black-and-white striped Duomo, completed in the 13th century, is a showcase of Gothic architecture and would have been even larger had the Black Death not put an end to expansion plans.
Admire the church’s elaborately sculpted façade, then step into the vast interior, where treasures include a mosaic and marble floor, executed by the city’s great medieval and Renaissance masters to depict biblical scenes, and the beautifully frescoed Piccolomini Library, a repository of illuminated manuscripts.
The Baptistery is below the main church, with a separated entrance, and houses a baptismal font decorated with magnificently sculpted bronze panels and statuary.
Part of the Duomo, left unfinished when the plague halted work in 1348, is now the Museo dell’Opera. More of the cathedral showpieces are here, including the Maesta, a magnificent altarpiece. This wing is topped with the Facciatone, a walkway on top of the façade that overlooks the city and countryside and is the city’s best viewpoint.
Another presence on the Piazza del Duomo is Santa Maria della Scala, a massive and impressive medieval complex built to house an infirmary, orphanage, and hospice for pilgrims. These activities are recorded in detail in colorful frescoes in the Sala del Pellegrino (Pilgrims’ Hall).
As dusk falls, join the Sienese in their passeggiata (evening stroll) through the Campo and along the shop-lined streets that skirt its perimeter. Then close out the day with a typical Tuscan dinner, which means pici or pappardelle pasta with a rich sauce, often followed by a grilled Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
These Tuscan classics are done to perfection at the brick-vaulted Taverna San Giuseppe; dinner for two about 80 euros, with wine.
Overnight in Siena
See hotel options from day 3 above
Day 5: Val d’Orcia and Montepulciano
Get a fairly early start today and set out on another scenic drive, this one through the Val d’Orcia, a landscape of hills carpeted with golden fields and vineyards and topped here and there with storybook villages.
You could make the trip to Montepulciano (your final destination) in a little over an hour, but it’s better to make a day of it with some meandering and stops along the way.
So, you’ll start by heading south of Siena, and will quickly cross into a landscape of gentle clay hills, literally the clays of Siena, or Crete Senesi. The stark hillsides are eerily lonely and empty, with isolated farms appearing now and then.
An unexpected outpost of civilization in these so-called “badlands” is the charming and pretty town of Buonconvento, whose name derives from Latin for “happy place.”
Another welcoming spot is the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a huge medieval monastery that appears like a red-brick mirage among the gray hills. Inside is yet another Tuscan art treasure: A 36-scene fresco cycle that illustrates the life of St. Benedict in colorful detail.
Your next stop along the way is Montalcino, a walled medieval town where the surrounding vineyards produce Brunello di Montalcino wines.
An atmospheric setting in which to introduce yourself (but not your designated driver) to Brunello and slightly less distinguished Rosso di Montalcino is the Enotecca la Fortessa, within the walls of Montalcino’s fortress. Your tasting will be accompanied by locally made cheeses and salamis, and the shop sells wines from throughout the region.
If you fancy visiting any wineries as well, Poggio Antico and Sasso di Sole are among the the ones just outside of Montalcino that offer tastings.
The nearby abbey of Sant’Antimo is another tranquil religious retreat, this one an assemblage of gleaming travertine stone and alabaster cradled in gentle hills.
From the Abbey, it’ll take you about an hour to reach Montepulciano, where you’ll be spending the next two nights. You have some appealing choices among the hotels in the historic center of Montepulciano and the agriturismi and other accommodations in and around Pienza, Montichiello, and other small towns in the countryside.
Overnight in/around Montepulciano
Montepulciano is quite small, but being a super popular destination, has plenty of hotels to choose from. Right within the town, I’ve included four options below that I quite like.
Palazzo Nobile di San Donato - An elegant Renaissance palace provides Montepulciano’s poshest accommodations, and the suites overlook Piazza Grande and the countryside below. From 300 euros to 400 euros.
Meublé il Riccio - The Caroti family houses guests in style and comfort in their 800-year old palace off Piazza Grande (looking at the decorations, you’ll soon learn that “Riccio” means hedgehog). From 120 euros to 200 euros.
Osteria del Borgo - Stylishly rustic accommodations in the highest precincts of town come with two perks—amazing views over the countryside, and homey Tuscan cuisine in the in-house restaurant. From 100 euros to 150 euros.
Albergo il Marzocco - One of the oldest palaces in town has been an inn for 150 years, housing guest in atmospheric, old-world comfort. From 140 euros to 160 euros.
Day 6: Montepulciano and Val d’Orcia
Morning
A day in Montepulciano, a very high hill town, begins with a climb up the steep main street. You can also begin at the top and walk down, but the walk up seems more sporting, plus you’ll save the grand finale, Piazzale Grande, for the end. Take it slow (you’ll want to anyway) and admire the medieval and Renaissance palaces along the way.
You’ll also notice many wine shops and enotecas showcasing the town’s signature red wines, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano.
Part of the way up step into venerable Caffe Poliziano for a coffee (you can come back later for a glass or wine or a meal).
The climb ends in Piazza Grande, anchored by the bare-brick Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and the heavily Gothic Palazzo Communale. You can ascend the tower of the Palazzo Comunale, but the views from the top of town are pretty impressive in themselves.
It will probably be late morning by the time you finish your walk, so it won’t be too early for a wine tasting, which you can do right here in the cellars of Contucci Cantine that burrow beneath Piazza Grande.
Afternoon and evening
A tasting is a perfect prelude to a long lunch, and you’ll have a lot of choices just off the main square or anywhere in town.
After lunch, you should spend the rest of the day exploring the Val d’Orcia countryside and towns. You’ll have gotten a good taste of these beautiful landscapes yesterday on your way to Montepulciano, but it’s very much worth exploring on a second day too.
From Montepulciano, hop in the car and set off to nearby Pienza, a pretty little town laid out in the 15th century as an ideal Renaissance city. Shops along the little lanes sell percorino (sheep’s milk cheese), honey, and other bounty from local farms.
Homey atmosphere aside, you will also encounter some regal grandeur in the palace where Pope Pius II retired in the 15th century. Views over the countryside are subline, too.
From Pienza, the SP146 road soon brings you to San Quirico d’Orcia, where stately gardens, the Horti Leonini, surround the church of Santa Maria Assunta. Just outside of town you’ll want to pull over to enjoy the views of the cypress-shaded lanes climbing the hillsides to the elegant little Chapel of Madonna di Vitaleta.
From here, a pleasant way to plunge into the countryside is with a side trip along more cypress-lined roads to Montichiello, just east of Pienza, in the direction of Montepulciano. The little town, surrounded by walls and huddling beneath stone towers, looks like the setting of a medieval fable.
Montichiello is so charming that you might want to stay for dinner at the Osteria la Porta; dinner for two with wine is about 70 euros.
Overnight in/around Montepulciano
See hotel options from day 5 above.
Day 7: Pisa
Morning
Your last stop in Tuscany is Pisa, which is a little over two hours away from Montepulciano, so you’ll want to get an early start today.
Best known for its iconic tower, probably the world’s most famous architectural blunder, Pisa is an attractive and appealing, though often-under-appreciated town.
Most visitors just come in for a quick photo with the tower, but the town has a charming medieval and Renaissance center that straddles the banks of the Arno River, near its mouth in marshlands on the Ligurian Sea. It’s quite nice and is worth a full day.
Assuming you arrive around late morning, begin at the city’s main attractions, the Piazza Del Duomo, also known as Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) and Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles).
The Leaning Tower is one of four great medieval monuments on the square, all sheathed in white marble and creating a harmonic spectacle (provided you overlook the parade of visitors posing for photos to make it look like they are propping up the marble structure (or leaning against it, or kicking it, the antics seem endless).
The Cattedrale, with many tiers and arches showing off an exuberant Arabic influence, is where Galileo Galilei discovered the law of perpetual motion when he observed the swing of a bronze chandelier while sitting through lengthy services in the vast interior. It’s also said the he came upon his law of falling bodies - an observation that all objects fall downward at the same force - by dropping balls off the adjacent tower.
The Battistero, the largest baptistery in Italy, also leans distinctly, though less precipitously than its more famous neighbor. Guards will periodically demonstrate the perfect acoustics of the round structure by breaking into song, producing a melodic phenomenon.
In the Camposanto, laid out on soil the Crusaders brought back with them from the Holy Land, Pisa’s medieval nobles rest for eternity in sculpted sarcophagi lining a Gothic cloister, decorated in part with frescoes depicting the Last Judgement and other sobering themes.
Afternoon and evening
Don’t overlook the rest of this attractive and historic city, but before you do more exploring, take a breather in the Orto Botanico. The first university botanical garden in Europe, founded In 1544, is full of flowers and plants from around the world that flourish in greenhouses and well-tended beds laced with fountains and ponds.
The nearby Piazza dei Cavalieri was the seat of government when Pisa was one of the world’s most powerful empires. Officials met in the Palazzo del Popolo e degli Anziani (The Palace of the People and the Elders), while the statue of Cosimo I Medici in the middle of the square appeared when Florence conquered Pisa in the early 1500s.
Borgo Stretto, a lively shopping street lined with Renaissance palaces, leads through the old city. An especially colorful spot is Piazza delle Vettovaglie. The name means “provisions” and a 16th-century loggia still shelters a fish and vegetable market and is surrounded by appealing cafes and restaurants.
The graceful Ponte di Mezzo crosses the Arno and provides a good view of one of the city’s most elegant churches, the Gothic-style Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina, wedged onto the south bank.
Shop-lined Corso Italia continues into the modern city, where one of the more surprising sights is the Tuttomondo mural, painted by the American street artist Keith Haring in his distinctive pop art style.
For dinner, head back across the river to the medieval center, where Osteria dei Cavalleri serves specialties, including seafood from the nearby, coast, in atmosphere-rich rooms; dinner for two about 80 euros.
After dinner, stroll over to the Campo dei Miracoli to see the spectacle of the monuments floodlit at night.
Overnight in Pisa
Pisa is most often visited as a day trip, with folks departing as evening sets in. That’s good news for you if you stay overnight here, as the rates are a fair deal cheaper than what you’ll find in other popular Tuscan cities and towns.
Below are a few good hotel choices:
Palazzo Cini - Stylish accommodations in a 19th-cenutry palazzo near the train station and an easy stroll from the main sights. From 170 euros to 200 euros.
Hotel Bologna - Rooms tucked away in a quiet neighborhood off Corso Italia are comfortable and handily situated midway between the station and Piazza del Duomo. From 100 euros to 120 euros.
Hotel Roma - The biggest amenity is the proximity of the Piazza del Duomo, and with a neck crane from some of the comfortable rooms you might even catch a glimpse of the famous tower. From 90 euros to 120 euros.
Royal Victoria Hotel - This Arno-side landmark has changed very little since it was a fixture on the 19th-century Grand Tour - Charles Dickens was a guest - and the character-filled accommodations are a Pisa attraction in themselves. From 80 euros to 120 euros.
