Free, but with a timed pass
Pisa Cathedral, the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, stands on the Piazza dei Miracoli next to the Leaning Tower. Entry for a visit to the cathedral alone is free. That does not mean no ticket: you need a limited timed pass, and it is only available at the ticket offices on site. This free pass cannot be reserved in advance.
If you buy a monument ticket, a free cathedral pass comes with it, with no fixed time. So visitors with a ticket for the tower or the baptistery do not need to queue for the cathedral pass.
Who gets in without paying
The rules on the entry side, in short.
Everyone, with the timed pass
The free timed pass is for any visitor, issued on site only. The number of passes is limited, so do not leave it to the last minute.
With a monument ticket
A purchased monument ticket includes a free cathedral pass without a fixed time. That pass is part of the ticket, not an extra one.
Children and visitors with disabilities
Children under 11 with an adult, and people with a disability together with a companion, can enter without a ticket. Proof can be asked for.
Prices for the paid monuments are on the tickets page, and an overview of the whole square is on the Piazza dei Miracoli page.
Guided visits and day trips to Pisa
Tours that include the Piazza dei Miracoli, with live prices and availability.
What to see inside
The cathedral was founded in 1064. The operator names Buscheto for the original building and Rainaldo for the extension and the facade. The marble facade with its rows of arcades is the first thing you see from the square.
The pulpit by Giovanni Pisano
The pulpit by Giovanni Pisano is the piece most visitors come to see. The operator dates it to 1302 to 1310. Another source gives 1301 to 1311, so you may see both. Do not confuse it with the pulpit in the baptistery, which is by Nicola Pisano and dates from 1260.
The apse mosaic
The figure of John in the apse mosaic is attributed to Cimabue, around 1302.
Dress and behavior
It is a place of worship, and the rules follow from that.
Clothing
The operator asks for clothing and behavior suited to a place of worship. It gives no measurements, so cover shoulders and knees to be safe, and carry a light scarf or shirt in warm weather. Do not rely on lending clothing at the door.
During Mass
While Mass or a ceremony is on, only a limited visitor area is open. Photos and video are not allowed, and guides may not give explanations.
Groups
Groups of 6 or more people can have explanations only with a radio guide system. This is not the same as a tour that includes the tower or the other monuments.
Hours
The monuments open daily, and the last entry is generally 30 minutes before closing. Liturgical events, safety needs and special events can change this. Check the current timetable before you go.
Fitting the cathedral into your day
The pass you need depends on what else you are visiting.
You have a monument ticket
Use the included cathedral pass at any time within the opening hours. It has no fixed time. Remember that the last entry is generally 30 minutes before closing.
You only want the cathedral
Go to the ticket offices on site first. They normally open 30 minutes before the monuments and close 30 minutes before the monuments end. The pass is timed, so check the time on it.
You also have a tower slot
Arrive 15 minutes before the tower slot. Use the time before or after it for the cathedral, and do not squeeze the cathedral in between, because a late arrival at the tower can mean losing the visit without a replacement.
You travel with children
Children under 11 with an adult can enter the cathedral without a ticket. The tower has a separate age rule that is explained on the climbing page.
Combine it with the rest of the square
A sensible order for a first visit.
The Pisa baptistery
Acoustics, gallery and the pulpit by Nicola Pisano.
Piazza dei Miracoli
All four monuments, prices and the Camposanto.
Leaning Tower tickets
Prices, time slots and combinations in 2026.
Climbing the tower
Steps, age rule and bags.
If you came for the tower, start with the history of the tower to see how it relates to the cathedral that built it.
Pisa Cathedral: frequently asked questions
Is Pisa Cathedral free?
A cathedral-only visit is free, with a limited timed pass from the ticket offices on site. The pass cannot be reserved in advance. If you buy a monument ticket, a free cathedral pass without a fixed time is included.
Do I need to book the cathedral online?
No. The free pass is only available on site. A monument ticket, which you can buy ahead, includes a cathedral pass.
What is the dress code?
The operator asks for clothing and behavior appropriate to a place of worship and gives no exact measurements. Covered shoulders and knees are the safe choice.
Can I take photos inside?
Photos and video are not allowed during Mass or ceremonies. At other times, check the signs at the entrance.
Who made the pulpit?
Giovanni Pisano, dated by the operator to 1302 to 1310. The baptistery pulpit is a different work, by Nicola Pisano, from 1260.
When does the cathedral open?
The operator gives 10:00 as the start of the general tourist visit, with changes possible on Sundays and church holidays. Check the current timetable before you go.