Climbing the Leaning Tower: the essentials
The climb is on foot, and the operator's visitor information gives 251 steps and about 30 minutes for the visit. You enter at the time on your ticket. The tower is the cathedral's bell tower, and it has 7 bells.
The age rule uses the birth year, not the birthday. In 2026, children born in 2018 or earlier may climb with a paid ticket and a paying adult, even before their birthday. Children born in 2019 or later may not climb. Bring an ID. Anyone under 18 goes only with an adult, and the operator may ask for proof of age.
How many steps are there?
Operator documents give different counts, so treat the number as a rough guide.
| Operator document | Steps |
|---|---|
| Visitor information for buyers | 251 |
| Description of the tower | 273 |
| Technical sheet (536 up and down) | 268 |
| Learning brochure | 292 |
Expect roughly 250 to 290 steps. The visitor information gives 251, so use that number for planning.
Tours that include the Leaning Tower
Guided visits and day trips to Pisa, with live prices and availability.
Bags, cloakroom and security
The tower follows stricter bag rules than the other monuments.
Leave every bag
For the tower, even handbags must be handed in and collected afterwards. The rule that allows small bags in other monuments does not apply to the tower.
The cloakroom is free
The cloakroom is reserved for tower visitors and costs nothing. Allow time for it before your slot. It is not a general luggage storage for the city.
Small bags elsewhere
For the other monuments, small bags up to 20 × 30 × 38 cm are accepted. Large suitcases are not allowed in. There is a metal detector check at the entrance.
Arrive 15 minutes early
Your slot is fixed. Arriving 15 minutes before it leaves time for the cloakroom and the check. If you are late, you can lose the visit without a replacement.
Tickets and time slots →Who should think twice
The stairs are uneven and slippery. The operator advises against the climb for people with heart or circulation conditions or with limited mobility. Nothing promises a climb that is accessible by wheelchair.
People with a disability can use a free place with a responsible adult companion. These places are in limited, pre-arranged slots. Contact the accessibility team at least 5 days before your visit and bring proof of the disability. A free ticket does not remove the stairs.
For ideas on where to take pictures of the tower from the ground, see the photo page.
What the ticket includes
The tower ticket costs €20 in 2026 and has no reduced rate. It includes a short historical introduction by staff. That is not a private or language-specific guided tour, and no guide is promised for the whole climb.
The tower was closed to the public from 7 January 1990 and reopened on 15 December 2001, after work to secure it. You can read more on why the tower leans. The operator now gives the angle as 5.115 degrees, and other documents give about 4 or 5 degrees.
About the tower you climb
The tower is the free-standing bell tower of Pisa Cathedral, with 7 bells. The largest was cast in 1655 and weighs about 3.5 tonnes. The operator gives the height as 58.36 m and the outer diameter as 15 m, and its technical sheet gives a lower height of 55.86 m. The weight is given as 14,453 tonnes.
Wear shoes with a good grip and take your time on the steps. The operator describes the stairs as uneven and slippery, so this is not a climb to rush.
A short checklist for the day
Check the birth year of every child in your group against the age rule. Bring an ID. Book the slot first and arrive 15 minutes early. Leave every bag in the cloakroom, including handbags. Keep your phone ticket or the printed PDF ready. For a family with a child born in 2019 or later, plan something else for that child, such as the free cathedral entry on the same square, while the others climb.
Prices and rules are as listed for 2026 and can change. The ticket page has the prices, the booking window and the rules for changes.
Climbing the Leaning Tower: frequently asked questions
How many steps does the Leaning Tower have?
The visitor information gives 251. Other operator documents give 268, 273 and 292, so expect roughly 250 to 290.
What is the age limit for climbing the tower?
In 2026, children born in 2018 or earlier may climb with a paid ticket and a paying adult, even before their birthday. Children born in 2019 or later may not. Under 18s go with an adult.
Can I take a bag up the tower?
No. Even handbags must be handed in at the free cloakroom for tower visitors. Allow time for it before your slot.
How long does the visit take?
The visitor information gives about 30 minutes, on foot. Add 15 minutes for arrival and the cloakroom.
Is the climb suitable for wheelchair users?
No accessible climb is promised. The stairs are uneven and slippery, and the operator advises against the climb for people with heart, circulation or mobility conditions.
Does the ticket include a guide?
It includes a short introduction by staff. For a full guided visit, see the tours page.