A Quick Stop in Pisa, Italy

Alexandria
International Travel | Travel
September 24, 2025
Sometimes, the best memories are the unplanned ones. During our family adventure through Italy, we made a super last-minute decision to swing by Pisa on our way from Cinque Terre to Florence. I’ll be honest, Pisa wasn’t at the top of our Italy itinerary, and we weren’t planning on spending much time here. As a mom of four, I couldn’t resist the idea of the kids seeing (and posing with) the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person. Let’s face it, did you even go to Italy if you don’t have that classic photo “holding up” the tower?
My Guide to a Quick Stop in Pisa Italy
My Guide to a Quick Stop in Pisa Italy
My Guide to a Quick Stop in Pisa Italy
We pulled into Pisa with zero expectations and a whole lot of chaos (always when traveling with four kids). The town itself is smaller than I imagined. It’s charming, easy to navigate, and family-friendly, but also tourist-trap busy! The busiest part was exactly where we went for pictures, of course.

We parked, grabbed a few snacks for the kids, and headed straight for the Piazza dei Miracoli (aka the Square of Miracles). It’s where you’ll find all the iconic landmarks, including:

The Leaning Tower of Pisa (obviously!)

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The Baptistery

And a gorgeous green lawn that’s perfect for kids to run around on while you take in the view.

My Guide to a Quick Stop in Pisa Italy
Visit the Baptistery & Cathedral
While our stop was quick ( literally just a couple of hours) I could totally see us hopping off the train, and spending a full day here. If you’re traveling with kids, here are a few fun things to do in Pisa:

1. Climb the Leaning Tower

If your kiddos are at least 8 years old (that’s the minimum age to climb), this is a must! The views from the top are breathtaking, and it’s a fun way for kids to experience history hands-on.

2. Visit the Baptistery & Cathedral

These stunning buildings aren’t just for grown-ups. My kids love exploring old churches and looking for cool details like mosaics, sculptures, and echo-y acoustics.

3. Picnic in Piazza dei Miracoli

Grab sandwiches, pizza, or pastries from a nearby café and have a little picnic on the lawn. Bonus: It keeps the kids happy and saves you from wrangling everyone through a sit-down meal.

4. Gelato Break (Obviously)

Pisa has plenty of cute gelaterias nearby. Our family motto while in Italy was basically: When in doubt, eat gelato.

5. Stroll Along the Arno River

If your kids need a quieter moment, a walk along the river offers lovely views and fewer crowds.

My Guide to a Quick Stop in Pisa Italy
Leaning Tower Of Pisa
My Guide to a Quick Stop in Pisa Italy
If you’re road-tripping or train-hopping through Italy, Pisa is 100% worth a quick detour, even if it’s just for a couple of hours and a classic tower photo.

For us, it was the perfect break between the colorful cliffside villages of Cinque Terre and the bustling streets of Florence. The kids got to stretch their legs, we checked off an iconic bucket list spot, and now we have those hilariously awkward family photos that will make us laugh for years to come.

Pisa might not need a full weekend on your itinerary, but as a spontaneous stop? Chef’s kiss.
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