Where to stay in Pisa: three areas
Most visitors choose between the area next to the Piazza dei Miracoli, the area around Pisa Centrale station and the streets along the Arno, called the Lungarni. Each suits a different kind of trip. This page names areas, not hotels, and gives no room prices because they change with the date.
The tower ticket has a chosen time, and the operator recommends arriving 15 minutes before it. If your slot is early, sleeping near the square is practical. If you plan day trips by train, being near the station helps. These are editorial judgments about location, not ratings of any property.
The three areas compared
Pick by how you will spend the days.
| Area | What is nearby | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Near the Piazza dei Miracoli | Cathedral, baptistery, tower and Camposanto | An early tower slot and a short walk to the monuments |
| Near Pisa Centrale and Sant'Antonio | The station, the airport link and the Tuttomondo mural | Train trips to Florence, Livorno or Lucca |
| Along the Lungarni | Museums and river walks, among them Palazzo Blu and Santa Maria della Spina | City and museum visits, evening walks |
Pisa tours and day trips
Guided visits and day trips from Pisa, with live prices and availability. Check the meeting point against your area.
What each area offers
Location facts and what follows from them.
Near the Piazza dei Miracoli
The cathedral, baptistery, tower and Camposanto stand together on the square, which is listed as a World Heritage site. Staying here puts you close to the monuments for a morning slot. Read the guide to the Piazza dei Miracoli to plan what to see.
Near Pisa Centrale and Sant'Antonio
The main station and the airport link are here. Keith Haring's mural Tuttomondo, painted in 1989, sits on the rear wall of the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. This area is a practical base for rail trips, such as the one to Lucca. The city bus 1+ runs from the station to the tower area.
Along the Lungarni
The river promenades link the Ponte di Mezzo, Palazzo Blu and Santa Maria della Spina. It suits visitors who plan to spend time in museums and on walks. See our page on things to do in Pisa for the full list.
From the airport to your area
The Pisamover links the airport and the station.
The shuttle
The Pisamover runs between the airport and Pisa Centrale and stops at the Aurelia and Goletta car parks. It does not go to the tower. The ride takes about 5 minutes including the stop. A single ticket costs €6.50 and a return €13. It runs daily from 06:00 to 24:00, and until 01:00 from 1 June to 30 September.
Frequency
Intervals vary by season and time of day, from about 6 to 15 minutes, and part of the service runs on demand. Do not count on a train every five minutes.
From the station to the tower
Take city bus 1+ toward the tower and the Park Pietrasantina car park, or plan a walk. A ticket costs €1.70 for 70 minutes. Bought on board it costs €3. The older name LAM Rossa is out of date.
If you arrive by car
The historic center has restricted zones.
Restricted traffic zones
Access to the ZTL zones depends on a permit and on the zone. A hotel booking does not give you the right to drive in automatically. Pisa also has a new stadium ZTL in 2026. Ask your accommodation in writing what applies to your car.
Park and shuttle
A park-and-shuttle ticket covers parking for 18 hours plus the driver's shuttle trip there and back. It costs €3.20 from Monday to Saturday between October and May, €4.40 in June and September and €6 in July and August. On Sundays and public holidays it costs €1.20. Up to four more people pay €1 each for the round trip.
Seasonal line 25
From 1 April to 31 October, line 25 runs daily from 10:00 to 19:15 about every 15 minutes between the Park Pietrasantina car park and the museums on the Lungarni. The fare is €1.70 for 70 minutes.
Where to stay in Pisa: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Pisa?
That depends on your plans. Near the Piazza dei Miracoli suits an early tower slot, near Pisa Centrale suits train trips and the airport link, and the Lungarni suit museums and walks.
Is it better to stay near the Leaning Tower?
It helps if your time slot is early, since you walk to the square. The tower asks you to arrive 15 minutes before your slot. It is not the only sensible choice for day trips by train.
How do I get from Pisa airport to the city?
The Pisamover shuttle runs to Pisa Centrale in about 5 minutes. A single ticket costs €6.50 and a return €13 (2026). It does not go to the tower, so continue by bus 1+ or on foot.
Can I drive into the center of Pisa?
Access to the restricted zones depends on a permit and on the zone. A hotel booking does not guarantee entry. Ask your accommodation what applies to your car.
Does this page recommend hotels?
No. It names areas and explains the location, not individual properties, and gives no room prices.