Tips for Pisa mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for Pisa bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Pisa. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Pisa. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Pisa highlights.

What to see during your group tour in Pisa with rental coach bus or minibus with driver

Many of the tourists who visit the city of Pisa in their tour of Italy make only a short stop before the famous Leaning Tower. They take their group pictures and continue with their journey to other more important or well-known cities. The truth is that doing so is a shame, because Pisa is much more than that. In fact, it is one of the country"s most beautiful cities, although it’s also true that Italy has several cities filled with beauty. It is therefore definitely worth spending a couple of hours of your bus tour in Pisa.

We recommend that you do not miss these tourist attractions that are a must-see and which we list here:

Pisa Airport by night

Pisa Airport by night credit: Angelo Romano CC BY 2.0

Leaning Tower

There is no doubt that it is the emblem of Pisa and also of Italy, along with other very famous monuments such as the Coliseum in Rome, for example. Here you must get off the bus and then ask the driver to take some pictures of your group in front of the tower.

When you actually get closer to the tower you will see that it is far more inclined than it may seem, and also that it is a beautiful construction. In fact it is the Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and it’s more than eight centuries at age. Obviously, the inclination is due to the fact that the land on which it was built gave in the first moments of its construction. To climb to the top they will charge you too much (€ 15,-), instead, you can enter the magnificent Cathedral for free and it is worth the visit. It dates from the twelfth century and both on its facade and on the inside it is one of the most ornate and rich Cathedral of Italy.

Fallen Angel in Pisa

Fallen Angel in Pisa credit: Visit Tuscany CC BY 2.0

Cathedral Square or Piazza dei Miracoli

Once you are happy with the several photos that you have made in front of the Tower, in various positions including the typical one (the classic) where you seem to be supporting it, you should have a good look around you. The Duomo Square or Campo dei Miracoli is a true jewel and declared Unesco’s Heritage in 1987. There is not only the tower and the Cathedral, but you can also admire the Baptistery, which was built in the 12th century and is a cupola with a magnificent portal of great ornamentation. Another great place that you can visit is the Cemetery of Pisa. On the outside it is covered with white marble and decorated with 43 arches. Inside there are important frescoes and also funerary monuments of great value.

Square of the Knights:

In ancient times, this was the most important square in Pisa, where the social and political life of the city unfolded. You can see two Renaissance palaces of great architectural interest, the Palazzo della Carovana, where the Normal Superior School of Pisa is situated now, and the Clock Palace, a beautiful medieval building. A Renaissance statue of Cosimo de Medici completes the square.

Cosimo I de

Cosimo I de" Medici credit: Filippo Diotalevi CC BY 2.0

Bridge di Mezzo

This bridge is not exactly medieval, since it was built in the 1950s, but it will allow you to enjoy a wonderful view of the Arno River and the city, since it is located right in the middle of it.

Church of Santa Maria della Spina

Since you are on the banks of the river, this church is right on one of them and it is a beautiful gothic building of white marble. You will see that once you get away from the Cathedral Square there are not so many tourists around, and you will probably find some peace in this small temple.

Eating in Pisa

If you want to eat at an economic price in an Italian city that is smaller than the big cities such as Milan or Rome, you just have to stay away from the main tourist centre. Therefore, in Pisa you just have to stay away from Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower, and the city will offer you the typical delights of the Italian cuisine at reasonable prices. If you have to invite the driver of your rental bus, it is better to do it here that in the next stop that if it is Florence will cost you at least double. In case you decide to buy a great pizza al taglio and to take it to the bus, be careful not to stain the seats with dripping mozzarella!

Visiting Pisa seated in the rented bus or mini bus with driver.

We have already mentioned that Pisa is a relatively small city. Therefore, for a walk through the historical centre or along the banks of the beautiful Arno you will only need a good pair of comfortable shoes and the desire to walk. If your bus driver is not very Catholic (it would be rare in Italy) or if he does not appreciate the beauty of the cathedrals and churches, then this will be the right moment to give him a long pause of about 2-3 hours, before the majority of your group start to have serious pain in their feet and is yearning to be seated in the coach again.

However, if you have little time in this beautiful city, which is usual because in Italy there is so much to see, it can be really useful that your bus driver carries you from one point to another in and you apply the ‘hop on, hop off’ bus tour and visit style. It’s up to you you can off course enjoy the landscape while sitting comfortably.

Tours in the city of Pisa

You can rent a bus in Pisa for tours in the city or in Tuscany Region to enjoy some of its interesting tourist routes, and you will surely discover the delights of visiting an Italian city that is not so full of tourists! However, that doesn"t mean there are not many things to see, on the contrary. The first must-see is, obviously, the famous Leaning Tower, which was even proposed as one of the wonders of the world. But this is not the only monument of tourist interest in the city. There are also the Cathedral Square or Square of Miracles, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Baptistry of Pisa, and the Archaeological Museum.

baptistry and cathedral at PIsa

baptistry and cathedral at PIsa credit: Steve Slater CC BY 2.0

What to see and what to do in the city of Pisa

The Arno River flows through the city of Pisa and, as happens in Florence or in other cities bathed by the River, it offers a very beautiful sight on its shores. A walk along the Arno at sunset is certainly something that needs to be done in the city of the Leaning Tower.

Pisa, Toscana, Italia, Arno

Pisa, Toscana, Italia, Arno credit: Tom CC BY-ND 2.0

Likewise, you cannot leave the city without having enjoyed its night life. It is certainly one of Italy"s liveliest cities, because it is above all a young city, animated by many students who live in it. At night they all fill the streets and you can do the same as them and have a few drinks at any bar, as your driver and rental bus will wait for you all the time that is necessary!

t2149 pisa italy tuscany toscana europe cupid statue outside leaning tower pisa torre

it2149 pisa italy tuscany toscana europe cupid statue outside leaning tower pisa torre credit: Mark Goebel CC BY 2.0

Tourism in Tuscany

Tuscany is without doubt one of the most beautiful regions of Italy: it concentrates picturesque villages such as Lucca or Castellina in Chianti. Your tour with private transport in a rented bus or coach with driver around Tuscany can start in cities such as Siena and Pisa, who are still breathing an atmosphere of romanticism and which contain artworks of the Renaissance and monuments with charm. All this together with its large lakes, fields, vineyards and prestigious wineries make Tuscany a region that has all the ingredients for a very complete minibus or coach tour-holiday.

In addition to the cultural offer, in Tuscany you can eat the best and taste the best wines in the region of Chianti. For all these reasons, the region attracts thousands of tourists who are traveling in Italy throughout the year.

Chianti Country, Tuscany, Italy

Chianti Country, Tuscany, Italy credit: John Menard CC BY-SA 2.0

Visiting the province and city of Pisa

The other most important province of Tuscany is Pisa, a destination that is also appreciated by tourists, since geographically it possesses a great diversity of landscapes, as well as cities that are worth a visit such as the capital of the province, with its famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Pisa, Itália

Pisa, Itália credit: Paulo Henrique Rodrigues CC BY 2.0

Tours around Tuscany

If you or your group are planning a holiday in the region of Tuscany, we suggest that you organize your itinerary in advance to avoid unforeseen problems, and take profit from your time as much as possible. On your tour with private transportation in a rental vehicle with chauffeur around Tuscany you can choose a trip to the Chianti region or a visit to the main towns and historical centres such as Pisa, Siena or Lucca.

The Chianti region

 Wine Tasting in Chianti

Wine Tasting in Chianti credit: Daniel Stockman CC BY-SA 2.0

The Chianti region offers idyllic scenery behind every bend in the road, with its endless vineyards, fields and picturesque villages. Castellina in Chianti is one of the villages that are worth visiting, since it is one of the most beautiful of the wine region. In addition, there is a real institution as regards ice-cream, a product which any tourist in Italy should try! It is the ice-cream parlour Gelateria l"Antica Delizia, where you can enjoy an unforgettable ice cream.

But the village has not only this to offer, you can also visit a beautiful 16th-century Church, San Salvatore. The stroll through the medieval streets of Castellina is very pleasant because it is not quite full of tourists, and you can pass through a covered small street attached to the ancient walls of the city, the Via delle Volte.

Medieval architecture in its purest form: Siena.

Siena is one of Unesco’s World Heritage sites due to the great conservation state of its architectural past. In addition, the natural environment of the city, with its olive trees, vineyards and hills make it one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. The impressive cathedral, with its unique Bell Tower dating from 1313, is also worth visiting inside.

Duomo di Siena

Duomo di Siena credit: Joe deSousa Dominio público

The Palio is a competition between the districts of the city in the form of a horse race of medieval origin which is held twice a year. It takes place in the square where the Cathedral is located, one of the most beautiful in the country.

Lucca

Lucca is another impressive village in Tuscany. The Guinigui Tower is a must-see, although you must take strength to climb up the more than three hundred steps that separate you from the top of the Tower, but the panoramic view of the city is certainly worth the effort!

Lucca 3149

Lucca 3149 credit: CucombreLibre CC BY 2.0

Pisa and its leaning tower

The city of Pisa is much more than its famous leaning tower, which has had to be reinforced recently at the base because of the large number of tourists who visit it. It is called the White City because the famous Tower and the Cathedral are made of the same white marble and they are worth visiting. Walking along the banks of the Arno River, the charming squares like Piazza dei Miracoli or dei Cavalieri, the Renaissance palaces, the medieval and Gothic churches, and of course the most famous tower in the world, all make this city a must-see.

65880010, Tower Pisa

65880010, Tower Pisa credit: Tani Lorenz CC BY 2.0
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