Best Day Trips from Pisa

Famous for its Leaning Tower, Pisa is a city that invariably appears on many people's Italian destination bucket lists of places to visit. And thanks to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Leaning Tower and the church it's part of, Pisa gets millions of visitors every year hoping to get that iconic photo of the famous leaning tower and the rest of this charming city.

However, those who visit Pisa are often surprised by how small the city is. Once you've seen the tower and visited the best museums in Pisa, you may wonder how else to spend your time in the city.

That's where Bounce comes in. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Pisa, and you'll be able to set out on some of the best day trips in all of Tuscany. Pisa is absolutely surrounded by incredible world-class destinations, making it a great base to discover Tuscany. Whether you make things easier on yourself with a private tour or plan your own day trip from Pisa's central train station, you'll find that the best day trips from Pisa can give you incredible insight into what makes this part of Italy so special.

How to get out of Pisa

Pisa Centrale railway station is the key to exploring the region on day trips from Pisa. This well-connected station receives trains from across Italy, so you'll find tons of great day trip options from here. Italy's train network is efficient, reliable, and surprisingly cheap, so the train makes a fantastic way to get around the country and enjoy the best day trips from Pisa.

Alternatively, you'll find plenty of companies offering to take you on an organized tour to many of these locations. If you want to make things easier on yourself, this is a great option, as you will be picked up in Pisa and taken on an interesting day trip without having to figure out train schedules or stress about being on time.

Of course, renting a car is also an option. For some of the more remote sites on this list, having your own car is a blessing since you can go where trains don't. However, you can go a long way in Tuscany and in Italy as a whole without having to drive.

For more information on navigating the city's public transit network, check out our guide on how to get around Pisa. And once you've seen enough of the Leaning Tower, check out some of these incredible day trips from Pisa.

From Pisa to Florence

As the capital city of Tuscany and one of the most important historic cities in Italy, you can't really ignore Florence. Nor would you want to. This is one of the best day trips from Pisa for those who love art or history, given that Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance.

There's so much to see in Florence that you could easily spend a week here and still feel like you didn't see everything. But if you're short on time, we recommend visiting the Duomo, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery.

This is one of the most popular day trips from Pisa, so be sure to book your tickets for any museums or attractions in advance. You can also purchase a Firenze Card, which will give you free entry into many museums as well as fast-track entry into others.

How to get to Florence

Part of what makes Florence one of the best day trips from Pisa you could possibly take is how easy it is. A train ride from Pisa to Florence only takes an hour to whisk you from the center of one historic city to another, so there's really no excuse not to take this classic Tuscan day trip.

From Pisa to Lucca

This historic city is located just a short train ride from Pisa, making it one of the most convenient day trips you could possibly take. Lucca is best known for its well-preserved Renaissance-era city walls, which are some of the most complete in all of Europe. You can walk or bike around this iconic massive brick wall and learn more about the history behind its construction.

In addition to its city walls, Lucca is home to a number of other historic attractions, including the Duomo di San Martino, the Palazzo Ducale, and the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. This well-preserved city is small enough to explore on foot, so take your time strolling through its streets and soaking up the Tuscan atmosphere.

How to get to Lucca

Lucca is located just northwest of Pisa and can be reached by train in about half an hour. Once you're there, we recommend renting a bike so you can easily explore all of the city's historic attractions.

From Pisa to Cinque Terre

This is one of those places you've probably seen, even if you don't realize it. That's because the seaside villages of Cinque Terre are some of the most beautiful in all of Europe. The charming Italian towns that make up the Five Villages appear just about everywhere, from posters to screensavers, and if you're in Pisa, you can easily make a day trip out to this iconic location.

Cinque Terre is made up of five picturesque villages, each with its own personality. Monterosso is the only one with a beach, while Vernazza is known for its swimming pool that overlooks the sea. Manarola is famous for being the oldest village in Cinque Terre, while Riomaggiore is the most popular with tourists. Corniglia is the smallest and least developed of the five, making it a great place to escape the crowds.

The best way to see Cinque Terre is by hiking the trail that connects all five villages. The hike will take you through vineyards and olive groves with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea below. If you're not up for a hike, you can always take the train that stops in each village.

How to get to Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is located on the northwestern coast of Italy, about two hours from Pisa by train. If you're planning on hiking the trail that connects all five villages, we recommend taking the train to Monterosso and beginning your hike from there.

From Pisa to La Spezia

If you take a day trip to the Cinque Terre, you'll pass through this coastal town on the way. But if you have the time, La Spezia is worth exploring in its own right. This town is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Italy, surrounded by rolling hills and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

In addition to its stunning natural setting, La Spezia is also home to a number of historical attractions, including the Castello San Giorgio, the Palazzo Civico, and the Chiesa di Sant'Agostino. Be sure to try some of the delicious seafood while you're in town - it's some of the best in all of Italy.

How to get to La Spezia

La Spezia is located on the northwestern coast of Italy, about an hour and a half from Pisa by train. The train station is only a short walk from the heart of the city, so it's easy to explore the town centre once you arrive. There are also a number of walking tours and city tours you can take to see the top attractions of La Spezia.

From Pisa to San Gimignano

This well-preserved medieval town is located in the heart of Tuscany, making it one of the best day trips from Pisa you could possibly take. San Gimignano is best known for its towers, which were built by wealthy families in the 14th century as a way to show off their wealth and power. Today, only 14 of the original 72 towers remain, but that's still enough to make this tiny town one of the most unique in all of Italy.

In addition to its iconic towers, San Gimignano is also home to a number of other historic attractions, including the Duomo, the Palazzo Comunale, and the Museo Civico. Be sure to try the town's famous white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, while you're there. This is the perfect place to learn more about the medieval history of Tuscany, which is often overshadowed by the better-known Renaissance but is every bit as fascinating.

How to get to San Gimignano

San Gimignano doesn't have a train station of its own, and the closest is in Poggibonsi, about half an hour away from Pisa. From there, you'll need to take a bus to San Gimignano itself, and the whole journey could take a few hours. A better option might be a guided tour, or renting a car and driving there yourself. Once there, you can always take a walking tour to learn more about the most interesting parts of this atmospheric city.

From Pisa to Volterra

This hilltown is located in the heart of Tuscany, making it one of the best day trips from Pisa. Volterra is best known for its well-preserved Roman theatre, which is still used for performances and events today. But this town has much more to offer than just its ancient ruins.

In addition to the Roman theatre, Volterra is home to a number of other historical attractions, including the Duomo, the Palazzo dei Priori, and the Museo Civico e Archeologico. Be sure to try some of the delicious Tuscan food while you're in town. If you give it a skip, you'll definitely be missing out.

How to get to Volterra

Unlike many of the other cities on this list, Volterra doesn't have a train station, making it a lot harder to reach than other Pisa day trips. You can take a bus from Pisa to reach the city, which can take anywhere from two to three hours. A better option might be booking a day tour or even a private tour to make it easy to reach this fascinating city.

From Pisa to Siena

This medieval city is located in the heart of Tuscany, so it's another popular Pisa day trip location. Siena is best known for its stunning Gothic cathedral, which is one of the most beautiful in all of Italy. But, is there anything else to do once you've seen the impressive church?

In addition to the cathedral, Siena is home to a number of other historical attractions, including the Palazzo Pubblico, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Gothic Town Hall, and the Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana.

How to get to Siena

Siena is about an hour and a half from Pisa by train. The train station is just outside the city centre, so it's easy to explore the town once you arrive. There are also a number of walking tours and city tours you can take to help you get to know Siena.

From Pisa to Castellina in Chianti

If you're looking for a day trip that combines history, culture, and natural beauty, look no further than Castellina in Chianti. This hilltown is located in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti wine region, making it the perfect place to sample some of the delicious local wines and go on a wine-tasting adventure.

In addition to its excellent wines, Castellina in Chianti is also home to a number of historical attractions, including the Museo Civico e Diocesano, the Palazzo Comunale, and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.

How to get to Castellina in Chianti

This one will take a bit of planning. There's no train station in Castellina, so you'll need to get the train to Siena and then catch a bus from there. If you really want to go wine tasting in this famous region, a private tour might be a better option, as they can take you to a variety of different vineyards and help you get the most out of the area.

Conclusion

Pisa is a great city to explore, but it won't take long to see everything has to offer. Luckily, there are so many great places to visit in the region that you should never run out of things to do.

Drop off your belongings at a Bounce luggage storage and get ready to enjoy some truly memorable day trips. Tuscany and the rest of Italy are just waiting to be explored.