The best addresses in Pisa and beyond

© Royal Victoria Hotel - Certosa de Calci - Bistrot dell’Opera

Just 1h40 from Paris thanks to Transavia’s new direct route, Pisa is the perfect gateway not only to admire its famous Leaning Tower, but also to explore the surrounding Tuscany region. You’ll love the historic markets, small cafés and authentic restaurants, the beauty of churches on every street corner and the antique fairs! Shall we take you there?

Royal Victoria Hotel for a princess-style stay. Right in the historic center on the banks of the Arno, Italy’s oldest hotel dates back to the 11th century. The irresistible charm and beauty of the place, with its uniquely decorated rooms, frescoes, antique furniture, historic staircases and elevated patio, make it the perfect address to live like nobility, with rooms averaging €120 per night. Lungarno Antonio Pacinotti, 12, 56100 Pisa

Bagni di Pisa for a wellness break 6 km from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Located in San Giuliano Terme in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, the Bagni di Pisa palace, former summer residence of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in the 18th century, is the ideal place for a wellness escape after a busy day in Pisa. This timeless hotel offers 61 rooms blending 18th-century classical architecture with modern comfort, with a special mention for the stunning marble bathrooms (from €234 per night). After exploring, head to the spa to try the incredible thermal grotto of the Grand Dukes and immerse yourself in the rock-carved pool, where water flows from a small waterfall rich in mineral salts. Absolute relaxation guaranteed! Bonus: its restaurant serves delicious Tuscan cuisine made with local seasonal produce, led by chef Umberto Toscano. Largo P. B.Shelley, 18, 56017 San Giuliano Terme

Palazzo Feroci to stay just steps from the Leaning Tower! Set in a 16th-century palace just a short walk from the Leaning Tower, this hotel charms with its blend of historic architecture and modern design. It offers spacious and comfortable rooms (around €200) with magnificent original frescoes on the ceilings, perfectly paired with warm contemporary furnishings. Via della Faggiola, 2, 56126 Pisa

© Royal Victoria Hotel - Bagni di Pisa - Palazzo Feroci

Bistrot dell’ Opera for lunch between two masterpieces. Near Piazza dei Miracoli, this bistro is located inside the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and has a terrace right next to the Leaning Tower! It serves simple but absolutely delicious traditional Italian and Tuscan cuisine. Highlights include cured meats (€15), tomato pasta (€15) and the incredible tiramisu (€8). Piazza del Duomo, 23, 56126 Pisa

Il Crudo for a quick lunch. Enjoy delicious sandwiches and focaccia with high-quality meats, hams or cheeses, as well as fresh seasonal vegetables (between €3.50 and €6). A real treat! Piazza Cairoli, 8, 56100 Pisa

San Bernardo for a gourmet break in the mountains. Located on a small hill overlooking the Calci valley, this minimalist restaurant offers cuisine that is both simple and highly creative. An unexpected gastronomic experience with surprising dishes such as slow-cooked rabbit with celeriac, salted lemon and herbs (€22), parmesan risotto with wild boar, red wine and olives (€26), or suckling pig with honey and ginger (€30). To finish: a semifreddo with persimmon, walnuts and saba (grape syrup), a masterpiece! Bonus: you can also buy their outstanding olive oil (€18 for 50 cl). Località S. Bernardo, 1, 56011 Calci

La Pergoletta for dinner in the heart of Pisa. Just steps from the Arno, this restaurant reinterprets traditional Tuscan recipes using short supply chains. Enjoy roasted squid with artichokes in light soup and ricotta (€18), potato gnocchetti with gorgonzola, caramelized pear and marinated fennel (€18), or a stunning aubergine parmigiana (€15). Via delle Belle Torri, 40, 56100 Pisa

Locanda Sant’Agata for fine dining. Located in the countryside of San Giuliano Terme just 5 minutes from Pisa, chef Nicola Micheletti’s restaurant offers only the best seasonal land and sea ingredients sourced locally. On the menu: black Angus sirloin with hay and sweet-and-sour vegetables (€30), surprising Martelli spaghetti with beetroot, raw pink shrimp and pigeon ham (€20), and to finish, a classic tiramisu or cheesecake (€9). Via del Brennero, 7/c, 56017 San Giuliano Terme

© La Pergoletta - Il Crudo - San Bernardo

In Pisa:

The Walls of Pisa. The oldest medieval ramparts in Italy! Climb the 11-meter-high walls to discover Pisa differently along a 3-km route with views over the ruins of the Baths of Nero and the San Torpè convent, a Pisan soldier who gave his name to Saint-Tropez. Piazza dei Miracoli

Piazza dei Miracoli. Around it stand the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery, the Cathedral and the Camposanto—an endless collection of masterpieces to see and revisit.

Outside Pisa:

Certosa of Calci. Just 10 km from Pisa, the small town of Calci is home to one of Italy’s most majestic Baroque complexes, impressive for its scale and beauty. Follow a guide for a private tour of the magnificent halls and the refectory where monks once dined around the same tables: deeply moving! Highlight: a breathtaking fresco of the Last Supper dating from 1595. Via Roma, 79, 56011 Calci

The fortified medieval village of Vicopisano. 20 km from Pisa, visit its fortress called Rocca del Brunelleschi and wander through this charming medieval village, which hosts a flea market every second Sunday of the month in Piazza Cavalca and surrounding streets.

© Vicopisano - Piazza dei Miracoli - Certosa de Calci

Stroll along the banks of the Arno and admire historic landmarks such as the National Museum of San Matteo, the Citadel, Palazzo Blu with its exhibitions, and the church of Santa Maria della Spina.

Piazza delle Vettovaglie and its beautiful arcades hosting a historic market that has been running since the 18th century in the heart of Pisa.

Taste the best ice creams in Pisa at De’Coltelli, run by the brilliant Gianfrancesco Cutelli, worth the visit alone. Ice creams, sorbets and granitas are made exclusively from natural ingredients and seasonal fruits. Lungarno Antonio Pacinotti, 23, 56100 Pisa

Enjoy a ristretto at Italy’s oldest café, Caffè dell’Ussero, located in Palazzo Agostini dating back to the 15th century. Lungarno Antonio Pacinotti, 27, 56127

© Caffè dell’Ussero - De’Coltelli - Piazza delle Vettovaglie

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