Pisa travel guide

Best Hotels in Pisa: Where to Stay Near the Leaning Tower

· 4 min read City Guide
Leaning Tower of Pisa against clear sky, Piazza dei Miracoli, Tuscany, Italy

Most visitors to Pisa don’t stay overnight — it’s often a half-day visit from Florence or a quick stop before moving on. But Pisa in the evening (after the day-trippers leave) is a calmer, more pleasant city, and staying overnight lets you visit the tower at opening time (9am) before crowds arrive.

Near the Piazza dei Miracoli (Leaning Tower area)

The closest hotels to the tower are clustered in the streets between the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II (the central square).

Budget (€55–85/night): Several B&Bs and small guesthouses within 5–10 minutes’ walk of the tower. The Piazza dei Miracoli area has good availability.

Mid-range (€85–150/night): Good boutique hotels in renovated historic buildings. The streets between the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Arno have the best options in this range.

Top-end (€150–280/night): Pisa doesn’t have many luxury hotels, but a few quality options exist near the tower and riverfront.

Near the Arno (riverside)

The Lungarno riverbank area is slightly further from the tower but more atmospheric — the river views, the embankment walks, and the university district restaurants make it a pleasant base.

Mid-range (€80–150/night): Several good hotels along the Lungarno Mediceo and Lungarno Gambacorti.

Near the Train Station

Pisa Centrale is on the south side of the Arno, about 15 minutes’ walk from the tower. Convenient for day-tripping to Florence and Lucca.

Budget (€45–75/night): The area around the station has Pisa’s cheapest accommodation options. Less atmospheric but practical.

Is it worth staying overnight?

Yes, if you want to:

  • Visit the tower at opening time (significantly less crowded)
  • See Pisa without the day-trip crowds (evenings are excellent)
  • Use Pisa airport as your gateway (the airport is 2km from the centre)
  • Day-trip to Lucca and other nearby towns

No, if you:

  • Have limited days in Italy and can cover the essentials in 3–4 hours
  • Are focused on Florence (1 hour by train), making Pisa a day trip from there

Practical notes

Booking the Leaning Tower climb is required regardless of when you visit. Same-day tickets are rarely available. Book at opapisa.it when you book your accommodation to avoid disappointment.

The Piazza dei Miracoli has ZTL restrictions — no driving directly to the square. Use the car parks on the north side (Parcheggio Piazza dei Miracoli Nord) or near the train station.

Named hotel recommendations

Hotel Bologna (Via Mazzini 57) — A three-star in a 15th-century palazzo between the station and the Campo. Doubles from approximately €80/night as of 2026. Terracotta floors, high ceilings, and a courtyard. The best mid-range option in the city.

Royal Victoria Hotel (Lungarno Pacinotti 12) — A historic hotel on the Arno waterfront, operating since 1839. Doubles from approximately €90/night. Some rooms have river views. The location along the Lungarni is the most atmospheric in Pisa.

Hotel Di Stefano (Via Sant’Apollonia 35) — A two-star near the Campo dei Miracoli with simple, clean rooms. Doubles from approximately €60/night. The closest decent budget option to the Leaning Tower.

Hotel Alessandro della Spina (Via Alessandro della Spina 5) — A modern three-star near the station. Doubles from approximately €70/night. Good for arrivals from the airport (Pisa Mover stops at Pisa Centrale, 5 minutes’ walk).

Pisa as a Tuscany transport hub

Pisa Galilei Airport (PSA) is the busiest in Tuscany. The Pisa Mover automated train connects the airport to Pisa Centrale station in 5 minutes (approximately €5). From there, trains reach Florence in approximately 50 minutes (from €9), Lucca in 30 minutes (from €4), and Siena in approximately 2 hours (change at Empoli, from €10). Staying overnight in Pisa rather than day-tripping from Florence saves time and allows morning access to the tower before the crowds arrive — timed slots from 8:30am are rarely full.


For the full Pisa travel guide covering the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Leaning Tower, and the Arno waterfront. For things to see in Pisa, see things to do in Pisa. For Pisa food and restaurants, see the Pisa food guide. For day trips to Florence, Lucca, and Cinque Terre, see day trips from Pisa. Florence and Pisa are both on the Tuscany itinerary — our Tuscan food guide covers the regional cuisine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth staying overnight in Pisa?
Yes, if you want to visit the Leaning Tower at opening time (9am, significantly less crowded), experience Pisa after day-trippers leave, or use Pisa airport as your gateway. The Piazza dei Miracoli area is overrun during the day but pleasant in the evenings. If you only have 3–4 hours to see the tower and move on, a day trip from Florence (1 hour by train) works fine.
How much do hotels in Pisa cost?
Budget hotels near the Leaning Tower cost approximately €55–85 per night; mid-range options approximately €85–150 per night; top-end properties approximately €150–280 per night as of 2026. Hotel Di Stefano (Via Sant'Apollonia 35) starts from approximately €60/night — the closest decent budget option to the tower. Royal Victoria Hotel (on the Arno) starts from approximately €90/night.
Do I need to book the Leaning Tower climb in advance?
Yes — same-day tickets are rarely available. Book at opapisa.it when you confirm your accommodation. Timed entry slots from 8:30am are available but fill up, especially in summer. The climb costs approximately €20 and is included in the combined ticket with other monuments on the Piazza dei Miracoli.
How do I get from Pisa airport to my hotel?
The Pisa Mover automated train connects Pisa Galilei Airport to Pisa Centrale station in 5 minutes for approximately €5 as of 2026. A private [airport transfer from Pisa airport](/go/transfers-italy) direct to your hotel is convenient if you have luggage or are travelling as a group. From Centrale, the Leaning Tower area is approximately a 15-minute walk north. The airport is 2km from the city centre — possibly walkable if your hotel is near the station.
Can I use Pisa as a base for visiting other Tuscan towns?
Yes — Pisa Galilei Airport is the busiest in Tuscany and the city is well-connected. From Pisa Centrale, trains reach Florence in approximately 50 minutes (from approximately €9), Lucca in 30 minutes (from approximately €4), and Siena in approximately 2 hours via Empoli (from approximately €10). Staying overnight in Pisa rather than day-tripping from Florence saves time and allows early morning tower access.

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