5 Best Day Trips from Pisa

Pisa, with its iconic Leaning Tower, serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding regions of Tuscany.

If you’re looking to extend your Tuscan adventure beyond Pisa (and of course, Florence!), here are some of the best day trips you can take. Each destination offers unique experiences, from picturesque coastal villages to medieval towns rich in history and culture.

Cinque Terre

Easily the most popular highlights of the Italian Riviera are the five fabulously photogenic fishing villages that make up Cinque Terre. Literally translating to “Five Lands”, the Cinque Terre are all connected by easy-to-walk trails providing stunning seaside views along the way.

Just a 2-hour drive from Pisa, these cliffside houses, vivid in color and unique in shape, sit above cobbled streets lined with quaint restaurants and gelaterias. At the bottom, you’ll find pristine beaches with some of the clearest waters Italy has to offer. Cinque Terre can get incredibly overcrowded during the peak tourist season, so be sure to take your time to fully appreciate the area.

Siena

Located 1 hour and 15 minutes from Pisa, Siena is a stunning city in the heart of Tuscany, best known for its distinctive medieval brick buildings and rich history. Its central square, Palazzo Pubblico, features an incredible complex of architecturally significant buildings, including the Torre del Mangia, a 14th-century tower offering panoramic views from its distinctive white crown, and the Gothic Town Hall.

The Cathedral of Siena and its Duomo house some of the most important monuments of the European artistic panorama. Be sure to check out the Siena Cathedral and its related sites.

Lucca

A 1-hour and 45-minute drive from Pisa, Lucca is one of the more peaceful towns in Tuscany, with a modest charm that arguably makes it all the more beautiful. Nicknamed the “city of 100 churches,” its pedestrian-friendly streets are perfect for exploring by bike or on foot, allowing you to discover the many stunning buildings as you go.

Wander past the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, a Romanesque amphitheater dating back to 1830, which is surprisingly modern and surrounded by plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops. The impressively ornate palace, Palazzo Pfanner, is also worth a visit if you have the capacity. For our Top 5 Things To Do in Lucca, click here. 

Viareggio

Seafood lovers, pull up! This coastal town offers visitors a refreshing dose of seaside dreaminess, golden sands, and some of the best seafood Tuscany has to offer. For art lovers, Viareggio also has something special—the Villa Paolina Civic Museum and streets filled with refined Art Deco architecture.

Its annual Carnival is one of the largest and most famous events in Italy, showcasing musical performances and renditions of the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, who was born here.

Castiglioncello

Just a 51-minute drive from Pisa, Castiglioncello is a seaside village located on a beautiful rocky coast. Its awe-inspiring red cliffs, coves, and pristine beaches are sure to stun you when you visit. Given it is a seaside resort, there is no better place to enjoy the beach than at Quercetano. You might also head to Bagni Miramare or Bagni Ausonia for a sunbathe and swim—the waters are clear enough for snorkeling!

Exploring these destinations provides a perfect complement to your stay in Pisa, allowing you to experience the rich diversity of Tuscany’s landscapes and cultural heritage. Each of these day trips offers a unique taste of Italy, ensuring unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation of this beautiful region.

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