Photos at the Leaning Tower: what to plan for
The tower is easy to photograph and hard to photograph well. Other visitors are in every frame, the tilt looks different from each side, and the rules on bags and filming apply from the moment you enter a monument. Decide before you arrive which shots you want, then fit them around your tower slot.
There is no official hourly visitor count, so no hour is certain to be empty. Treat an early or late visit as an idea, not a promise, and match it to the opening hours. In summer 2026, from 17 June to 31 August, the operator announced hours extended to 22:30, which makes an evening visit possible.
Classic shots on the square
Four ideas that work without special equipment.
The pose
The well-known shot is the pose where your hands line up so that it looks as if you hold the tower up. It depends on the angle, not on distance. Ask someone nearby, use a timer or a short pole, and take several tries, because the tilt reads differently from each side.
Tower and cathedral together
The tower and the cathedral facade fit in one frame from the open part of the square. The cathedral seen with the tower behind it is one of the pictures on this site.
The arcades
The tower's rows of arcades make good detail shots. Look up from close to the base, or use the zoom on a phone from further away.
The tilt from the side
Stand off to one side of the tower and keep the camera level. A straight horizon line next to the leaning wall makes the angle clear.
Where the tower is tilting and by how much is on the why it leans page.
Pisa tours for photographers and first-timers
Guided visits and day trips to the Leaning Tower, with live prices and availability.
From the top
If you climb, you get the bell chamber, the bells and a view over the square and the city. The visit is timed and takes about 30 minutes on foot, with 251 steps by the operator's visitor information. Other figures exist, which is covered on the climbing page.
Handbags, too, must be left in the cloakroom before the climb. It is free and reserved for tower visitors. Decide ahead what you need in your hands, such as a phone or a small camera, and leave the rest.
Do not leave the photo for the last minute. The slot is timed, and a late arrival can mean you lose the visit without a replacement.
Rules that affect your photos
What the operator states in 2026.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Cathedral during Mass or ceremonies | No photos or video |
| Bags in the monuments | Small bags up to 20 × 30 × 38 cm; large suitcases not allowed |
| Bags for the tower | All bags, including handbags, go to the cloakroom |
| Entrance | Metal detector check |
| Animals | Not allowed in monuments and museums, except certified assistance dogs |
| Projects, articles and films | Requires a request to the operator |
| Drones, tripods, commercial shoots | No general permission; ask the operator first |
For drones, tripods and paid shoots, ask the operator before you plan any of them. Keep to marked paths and stay out of roped-off areas.
Photo spots in town
The city tourism pages list Tuttomondo, the Lungarni with the Ponte di Mezzo, and Santa Maria della Spina as photo stops.
Tuttomondo
Keith Haring's mural from 1989 covers the rear wall of Sant'Antonio Abate near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. A public wall does not give you rights to use the image commercially.
The Lungarni and the Ponte di Mezzo
The river walk along the Arno works as a walk and as a photo motif. It is also where Palazzo Blu and Santa Maria della Spina stand.
Santa Maria della Spina
The small Gothic church on the Lungarno Gambacorti. In the 19th century it was taken apart and rebuilt higher because of flooding problems. For its opening hours and any exhibition, check before you go.
Keep reading
Plan the visit around the pictures.
Leaning Tower photos: frequently asked questions
Can I take photos inside the cathedral?
Photos and video are not allowed during Mass or ceremonies. At other times, follow the signs at the entrance.
When is the best time to photograph the tower?
There is no verified answer for a specific hour. Early or late visits can be quieter, but nothing guarantees an empty square. Match any plan to the opening hours.
Can I bring a tripod or a drone?
No general permission exists. The operator asks for a request for projects, articles and films, so ask before you plan a shoot with a tripod or drone.
Can I take my bag up the tower?
No. All bags, including handbags, must be left in the free cloakroom for tower visitors. Small bags up to 20 × 30 × 38 cm are fine in other monuments.
Where can I get a photo of the tower without the crowd?
You cannot be sure of one. The tower's arcades make good detail shots when the full view is busy, and the city spots such as Tuttomondo and the Lungarni are away from the square.