Scuola Normale Superiore

With a private expert guide by your side, delve into the captivating history of Pisa—its origins may be rooted in Etruscan settlements that evolved into a thriving Roman colony. Once a bustling trade hub due to its strategic port, Pisa is now a treasure trove of ancient wonders just waiting to be explored. Your tour is designed to reflect your interests, taking you through the iconic Piazza dei Miracoli—a UNESCO World Heritage site bursting with breathtaking monuments. Here, you'll be mesmerized by the striking Cathedral, a prime example of Pisan Romanesque architecture, and the world-famous Leaning Tower. Marvel at the uniquely designed circular Baptistery, adorned with evocative columned arcades that tell stories of the past. Enjoy exclusive priority access to the Cathedral's interior, allowing you to immerse yourself in its intricate details without the wait. As your tour culminates at the Leaning Tower, prepare for a truly unforgettable experience. Skip the lines and ascend the 294 spiraling steps to the top of this architectural marvel. With its iconic tilt, caused by its soft and unstable foundation, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is not just a landmark but a true wonder of the world that promises to leave you in awe.

Welcome to Pisa, a beautiful city rich in history and culture. This 2-hour family walking tour will take you to some of the most iconic landmarks in the city. We will start in the Piazza del Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will marvel at the breathtaking Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the most famous landmarks in Italy. Next, we will visit the stunning Battistero di San Giovanni, a beautiful baptistery adorned with intricately detailed marble carvings. Our next stop is Piazza dei Cavalieri, home to the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, one of the most prestigious universities in Italy. Here, you will see the Palazzo della Carovana, an impressive Renaissance building with a unique facade. We will then take a leisurely stroll along the Lungarni di Pisa, a series of four tree-lined streets along the breathtaking Arno River. Our tour will end at Porta a Mare / Porta della Degazia, two historic gateways to the city that have been standing for centuries.

A 2 1/2-hour walking tour to get to know the city of Pisa in a calm and friendly atmosphere. Strolling through the historic center you will discover its history and admire the wonder of its architecture. Immersed in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, I will tell you fun and interesting legends and stories that have survived to the present day. During the tour you will learn how Pisa, which began as a Roman colony turned into a powerful and wealthy maritime republic. You will hear about its glory, its decline in the Middle Ages and how it evolved during the Renaissance. A powerful but tyrannical city, by the end of our tour you will understand why Pisa in the past was hated by all the cities of Tuscany. A hatred that in a goliardic way has come down to us. The tour starts from the Piazza dei Miracoli where we also find out how the name came about. I will tell you about the features of Europe's largest Baptistery and the stories that arose around its two-color roof. If you have time we can take a 20-minute tour inside the Baptistery. Entrance tickets are to be purchased on site and are not included in the price of the tour. We will then focus on the Duomo. I will tell you stories related to hidden details of its facade, unusual columns, inscriptions and strange signs. I will also tell you about superstitious customs that originated in the Middle Ages and are still alive among the people of Pisa. We will also visit the interior of the cathedral, which hides works of art such as Giovanni Pisano's Pulpit and Cimabue's mosaic of Christ on the Throne. Arriving at the great chandelier we will talk about the legends about the experiments Galilei conducted in the Duomo. We will then move on to the Leaning Tower, one of the most famous medieval monuments in the world. I will tell you about why the tower has tilted during its nine centuries of life, how it has been in danger of collapsing in recent decades, and what interventions have been done to stop the fall. The tower is actually a bell tower with seven bells; I will tell you about the Traitor's bell and when it last rang. After Piazza dei Miracoli we move to the Renaissance part of the city, we are going to see the beautiful Piazza dei Cavalieri, the legacy that the Medici dynasty left behind. Now home to the important Scuola Normale Superiore, many famous figures in contemporary Italian history have studied here. Next, we will walk through the narrow streets of Borgo Stretto, I will show you the house where Galileo Galilei was born and tell you the story of his life. We will also pass by Piazza delle Vettovaglie, an ancient market square, renovated by the Medici into a Renaissance cloister, now home to the stalls of the street market and bars and restaurants ideal for an aperitif or dinner with typical Pisan cuisine. For those with a sweet tooth, here you can also taste Torta coi Bischeri, a typical Pisan dessert made with shortcrust pastry and dried fruit. We finish our tour on the Ponte di Mezzo where we admire the extraordinary panorama of the Pisan Lungarno.