The first thing to do in Pisa is almost inevitable: to admire and photograph the famous Tower, which its inclined structure is due to a slow but progressive failure of the underlying soil. After admiring the tower, turn your sight to the wonders which surround it: Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), so renamed by Gabriele D’Annunzio. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the square also welcomes the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, the Battistero di San Giovanni and the Camposanto Monumentale.
Later, enjoy a nice walk along the Arno and also reach the old Clock Palace and Piazza dei Cavalieri, which was once the political center of the medieval Pisa. Pisa is presented to visitors as an Art City, an open-air museum, but Pisa is also a lively and modern city, whose rhythms and everyday life are marked by an intense life of young people. Although much of the night, and student life takes place on the Lungarni, the esplanades along the river Arno which crosses the city, it is common to see in the Square of Miracles many of the students who animate one of its universities, the “Normal of Pisa”, one of the oldest, prestigious and sought after in the world, that’s located right in Piazza dei Cavalieri, hosted by the Palazzo della Carovana (Palace of the Caravan).
While visiting a monument and the other, take your time for a refreshing brake in the name of the most authentic and delicious Tuscan tradition. Make a reservation at Ristorante La Pergoletta, located in a small alley of the old Pisa, just a few steps away from the famous Verdi Theatre, which will welcome you in one of its lovely inner lounges or in the indoor veranda next to a century-old pergola, from which takes its name. Not to miss are the “strozzapreti” a typical kind of fresh pasta accompanied with white meat with black pepper and lemon, and rabbit fried with baked olives and white wine.
Just 300 meters from the tower, deserves a mention the Antica Trattoria “Da Bruno”, run for forty years by Peter Cei, whose great communicative skills and unquestioned restorative abilities, has allowed him to make his characteristic and typical restaurant a favorite destination for tourists and locals. Marry Pisa’s tradition by tasting its soup, grilled cod with oil chickpeas or the delicious pappardelle with rabbit. All accompanied with local wines, above all, from the Pisan hills, San Torpè and Chianti. Also don’t miss pizzeria Il Montino, the oldest in Pisa, specialized in pizzas, cecina, castagnaccio(cake made with chestnuts) and schiacciate (type of focaccia). Here you will experience the pleasure of eating the best cecina of the whole city, a very low pie made with chickpea flour, water, salt and olive oil. For a good glass of wine, we highlight the Braque Bistrò: originality of bottles, choice and above all quality wines.
For your stay in the “city of miracles”, we suggest the elegant Bologna Hotel Pisa or or the Hotel Alessandro della Spina, both located in a central position. For a cheaper solution instead, opt for B&B Guerrazzi, close to the station and the airport.
