A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Pisa preserves its centuries of history in its palaces and in the remains visible in various corners of the city. Not only treasures such as the Tower and the incredible Piazza dei Miracoli, but one of the testimonies to its glorious past is the 12th-century city wall that still encloses what is considered the historic center, with its four main districts divided by the Arno River. Many writers and men of science over the years have sung the praises of the Pisan Lungarno, and today their names are borne by its riverbanks, overlooked by some of the most distinguished palaces, once the residences of the most prestigious families.
Pisa boasts a past as a maritime power: in addition to having been an important Roman port, it was one of the four Maritime Republics, whose trade brought great wealth to the city. Yet it is above all science that has made the city a thriving hub of attraction: the birthplace of Galileo Galilei, it is home to the prestigious Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies and the Scuola Normale Superiore, as well as a rich university.
Dynamism and entertainment are ensured by the festivals and events that throughout the year fill Pisa’s main cultural centers, with special mention of the Luminara of Saint Ranieri, a distinctive and unique display of lights that every 16 June illuminates the river in celebration of the patron saint.
Just a few kilometers from the center lies the San Rossore Park, once the summer residence of the President of the Republic and today a protected nature reserve.
The city also enjoys an exceptional setting thanks to its proximity to the Apuan Alps 50 km away and to the Pisan Mountains close to the center, an excellent backdrop for trekking and mountain-bike routes. Only 15 km away it is also possible to reach the coast with its beaches and equipped bathing establishments to enjoy a typical Italian summer. Here too is the tourist port of Pisa, from which it is possible to set off on short sailing trips to the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. The port of Livorno, on the other hand, is only 25 km away and makes it possible to reach Corsica, Sardinia, and other European destinations.
The city also has an airport, one of the main ones in Tuscany with domestic and international routes. Lastly, the railway is noteworthy, with connections that make it possible to reach all the other cities on the peninsula. A 30-minute drive allows you to discover Lucca and the culinary traditions of the hinterland, while the wonders of Florence can be reached in just an hour. By traveling 35 km, you can reach Forte dei Marmi and Versilia.