Pisa with Kids: A 2023 Guide
Looking for things to do in Pisa with kids? You’re in the right place. The charming city of Pisa is the perfect place to embark on a family adventure.
This Tuscan gem is a place that offers a wonderful mix of experiences for kids of all ages, from world-famous landmarks to beautiful parks and interactive museums.
There are plenty of things throughout the city to keep your kids entertained as well as numerous historical experiences to have. Beyond the architectural marvels, Pisa is also home to spacious squares (piazzas) and lively pedestrian-only streets, perfect for exploring with the kids.
There are also a fair few gelato shops to stop by too, which are bound to make for the perfect sweet treat during your Italian escapade. So, here are the best things to do in Pisa with kids, get ready to explore the enchanting blend of history, culture, and food in this captivating city!
So, let’s jump in – best things to do in Pisa with kids!
Best Things to Do in Pisa With Kids
Here are the best things to do in Pisa with kids that you don’t want to miss while you’re there
1. Walk around the Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo, also known as Campo dei Miracoli or Piazza dei Miracoli, is the home of the renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa as well as the Battistero di San Giovanni, Cattedrale di Pisa, and the Camposanto.
This famous square attracts millions of visitors each year, so be sure to buy any tickets to the attractions in advance. You can easily spend a few hours or even half a day exploring this bit of Pisa with kids.
Grab your entrance tickets for the Leaning Tower and other attractions (for ages 8+) here
2. Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic architectural marvel situated in the Piazza del Duomo, that enchants all who see it.
This freestanding bell tower gained worldwide fame due to its unique tilt caused by the subsidence of the ground during its construction. It is also a great place to get some fun photos with the kids!
Children aged 8 to 17 are allowed to go inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa as long as they’re accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, children under the age of 8 are not allowed to enter the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but they’re welcome to admire and get family photos from outside.
Good to Know: The steps in the tower are quite worn so can get slippery, and you can feel the lean as you work your way around the tower!
3. Climb the Mura di Pisa (Walls of Pisa)
The Mura di Pisa are the historical city walls that once fortified Pisa during the medieval times. Now they are a great place to get up above the crowds in the Piazza dei Miracoli and see the Leaning Tower of Pisa from a new perspective!
There are four different points you can access the walls, just be aware that this may include a few steps, depending on which point you chose to go up.
Good to Know: The cost to climb the towers is €15.00 for 2 adults and maximum of 3 children, (children under 8 are free of charge)
4. Explore Giardino Scotto Park
Giardino Scotto Park is a wonderfully quiet picturesque green space in Pisa, with plenty of space for kids to stretch their legs, all within the surrounding of the Fortezza Nuova, or city fortress walls.
It is a little further from the main attractions (maybe a 15-20 minute walk from the city centre) than some other parks. Because of that though, it is more secluded and quieter.
5. Try local food at Mercato delle Vettovaglie
Mercato delle Vettovaglie is a vibrant and bustling market in Pisa, known for its assortment of fresh produce and local products, perfect to stop by with the kids to pick out some food for a picnic in one of the many parks in Pisa.
5. Piazza dei Cavalieri
Only a short walk from the Piazza del Duomo, Piazza dei Cavalieri, or Knights’ Square, is known as the second square in Pisa. Home to medieval buildings, rich in history and architectural significance, this square is a nice place to go to beat the crowds with the kids.
6. Enjoy the Orto Botanico di Pisa
Orto Botanico di Pisa, otherwise known as the Botanical Garden of Pisa, is a charming botanical garden that dates back to 1543. As the first university botanical garden in the world, it has a diverse collection of plants from five continents for the kids to discover including a mini arboretum, fountains, and many greenhouses to wander through. There is also a botanical museum you can visit, which is great if you have a rainy spell.
Cost for Orto Botanico di Pisa is €4.00 for full priced tickets
7. Walk up Borgo Stretto
Borgo Stretto is a lively and charming street in the heart of Pisa, connecting the Arno River with the nearby piazzas, which are perfect for a stop in en route to or from the Leaning Tower.
Known for its historic buildings, gelato shops at every turn, and inviting cafes, it is a popular street for locals and tourists alike, so it can get a little busier in the summer months.
8. Stroll along the Arno River
The Arno River is the main waterway that flows through Pisa before heading out to the Ligurian Sea. With its picturesque bridges, it is the perfect place to wander along with a gelato. There are restaurants and shops, and many picturesque views; both day and night.
The Ponte di Mezzo (the bridge) is a particularly great place to stop with little ones, with views up and down the river, plus it is also en route between the main tourist areas both north and south of the river so no need to take a detour to visit.
9. Learn a bit of natural history at the Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Universita di Pisa
If you have a car then a visit to the Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Università di Pisa, or the Museum of Natural History of the University of Pisa, is a must with the kids. There are lots of exhibitions covering human evolution, minerals, birds, and of course dinosaurs. Included in the ticket is also admission to the aquarium and nearby monastery.
Cost – From €8.00 for 1 adult plus 1 child
Where (and what) to eat in Pisa with kids
Panini or cecina, (a local chickpea flatbread that often comes with delicious fillings), are great to grab as takeaway snack. There are also rather tasty local apricot pastries that are sure to go down a treat with the kids!
Piazza delle Vettovaglie is a lovely quiet piazza just off the main street of Via Notari and Borgo Stretto, with a few family-friendly eateries to choose from. Piazza Garibaldi is another great place to stop for gelato.
Introduce your children to Italian home cooking by trying this Italian visit with a local that includes a 4-course meal for all ages
Getting to Pisa with Kids
There are a number of ways of getting to Pisa with kids, depending on your Italian or Tuscan itinerary.
By air
If arriving via plane you can easily hop on the PisaMover high-speed train service to get to Pisa Centrale in roughly 7 minutes, take a taxi which takes roughly the same amount of time, (this can be anything from 20 Euros upwards), or walk although this will take nearly 20 minutes and isn’t the nicest of routes to walk with kids.
By train
You can also easily get to Pisa on the train from major nearby cities and towns such as Florence, Lucca, and La Spezia, all arriving at Pisa Centrale station. Lucca is a great place to visit with kids, as you can cycle around the city on the historic walls!
By car
If you are visiting Pisa with a car then there is a large parking area north east of Campo dei Miracoli, which is roughly 10 minutes walk from the Leaning Tower. Just be sure not to leave any valuables in your car.
By ferry
Pisa is also one of the major ferry ports for getting to or from the breathtaking Sardinia island. If you’re in Sardinia with kids, then you could conclude your trip there by taking an overnight ferry to Pisa.
How to Get Around Pisa with Kids
Pisa is small so there isn’t any kind of subway or metro system in the city. It is however very walkable and fairly flat, (other than a very small incline up to cross over the River Arno), so if you have little ones in a pram you will have no worries. It takes roughly 20 minutes to walk from Pisa Centrale station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
If you do want to get around via public transport then there are buses that serve the area, including a Hop-on Hop-off bus that leaves from the front of the station and takes you on two different routes covering all that Pisa has to offer.
Where to Stay in Pisa with Kids
Here are a few different places that we would recommend staying in Pisa with kids, that are well-located and of course, family-friendly
- Budget: Eugenio – 2-bedroom family apartment with an indoor play area
- Mid-range: B&B Di Camilia – family rooms, beautiful interior, well located in historic town centre – only 1.2 km from the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Luxury: Hotel di Stefano – family rooms, large buffet breakfast, and only 5 minutes from the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Best time to travel to Pisa with kids
The best time to visit Pisa with kids is in one of the shoulder seasons in Italy, i.e., spring or autumn, as the summer can get very hot. You can of course visit in the summer but be prepared for more crowds at the main attractions as well as areas in the city with little to no shade.
The Piazza del Duomo has very little shade as there are no trees to shelter under. (If you’re coming in the summer months, be sure to bring good sunscreen and hats.)
Day Trips from Pisa with kids
Pisa is a great base for exploring other locations across Italy including Florence, Lucca, and Cinque Terre.
- Lucca is just 30 minutes by train from Pisa Centrale and is a great place to cycle the historic walls that surround the city as well as explore the central ancient Roman amphitheatre.
- Cinque Terre is another great place for a day trip from Pisa and is approximately 1 hour from Pisa by train.
- Florence is about a 90-minute train ride from Pisa, and could be a great day trip or work great as the next leg on your trip
Best Things to do in Pisa with Kids: FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Pisa, and visiting there with kids
Can kids climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Children under the age of 8 are not allowed to go in the Leaning Tower of Pisa, however, children aged 8 to 18 are allowed to as long as they are accompanied by an adult. The steps in the tower are quite worn so can get slippery, and you can feel the lean as you work your way around the tower!
Is Pisa family-friendly?
taly in general is a very family-oriented country, and Pisa is no exception. Pisa is very family friendly with numerous attractions to entertain the very small as well as the older kids. Its walkable, flat and stroller friendly. There are historical buildings, museums, markets and parks. Its well worth a visit with kids.
Is a day trip to Pisa worth it?
Pisa can easily be visited in a day as it is only a small city. The main attractions are also fairly close together so there isn’t any need to be rushing across the city either.
How long should you spend in Pisa with Kids?
2 to 3 days would be the perfect amount of time to spend in Pisa with kids, as it gives you plenty of time to see the main tourist sights as well as explore some lesser-known spots and even a museum or two. You could even visit the nearby coastline which has some of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
How to travel to Pisa with kids on a budget?
Pisa is not as expensive as other locations around Italy, such as highly touristed areas such as Venice or the Costa Smeralda on Sardinia island. You should budget around €120 ($131) per day for accomodations, food and attractions in Pisa per person, maybe a little bit less for children as they are often free at attractions. With good family travel budget tips, Pisa is a great location in Italy to enjoy on a budget.
Things to Do in Pisa with Kids: Conclusion
Pisa is the perfect city to visit in Italy with kids not only due to its size but also the sheer number of attractions and variety of things to do in the city as well. Hopefully, our best things to do in Pisa with kids inspires you to book that trip with the family and get out exploring all of the typical sights like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the lesser-known sights such as the Mura di Pisa, plus sampling all of the gelato you can find in between!
Like other Italian cities such as Rome, Florence or Venice, Pisa is a family-friendly city with plenty of attractions that can enjoyed as a family.