Hotels in Pisa

The Land of Leaning Towers is more than just a photo-op; it's is one of Italy's most phenomenal architectural heartlands. Located right on the river Arno, you can follow its winding pathways westwards to the glorious sea coast. You'll find some of the trendiest cafes, restaurants and galleries in the country towards the south of the river. With ample culture and exquisite museums, all of this makes Pisa one of the hippest and most happening cities to visit.

Pisa offers a vast number of alluring accommodation types. For an authentic experience, look for a traditional palazzo hotel'. These are Renaissance-style buildings that exude sophistication. You'll find a good variety of boutique hotels within the city, too, particularly in or around San Martino and Sant'Antonio.

Neighbourhoods of Pisa

There are many districts in the city offering exciting hotels and accommodation, including:

• Santa Maria: North of the Arno, this is the historic district. You'll find many of the city's main attractions, and you can enjoy Pisa's rich architectural heritage here.
• Sant'Antonio: South of the Arno, this district is home to charming palazzos and excellent museums, including Palazzo Blu.
• San Francesco: This modern, lively eastern district serves as the local government and courts' seat. You'll find great contemporary hotels here, all within easy reach of Santa Maria.
• San Martino: South of the river and towards the east, lies the trendiest district in the city. With charming boutiques and contemporary restaurants, it's the perfect place to spend an evening.

What to see and do in Pisa

One of Italy's maritime centres, it owes its incredible artistic and architectural heritage to its trade history. The results have endowed the city centre with a plethora of stunning palazzos and piazzas from the 14th and 15th century. Take a walking tour en route to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Piazza del Miracoli. These are two of the country's most beloved landmarks. With a range of religious curiosities, such as Duomo and Battistero, and many museums, Pisa spoils you with choice. However, what this city does best is art. For a lesson in Tuscan art and its history, medievalists recommend heading to the stunning 13th-century Museo Nazionale di San Matteo.

What to eat in Pisa

Pisa has a vibrant café culture to explore, filled with alluring coffee shops and bakeries. Tourist restaurants cloister Santa Maria's main strip. Head to the great area of San Martino for more authentic, local fare. Some regional specialities to look out for include:

• Pecorino cheese, a heard sheep's cheese that's perfect with pasta.
• A traditional fig cake called pan ficato.
• Pappardelle is by far Tuscany's favourite pasta, often complemented with a boar, hare or venison ragu. Vegetarians can opt for pocini mushroom sauce.

Typical events and festivals in Pisa

As a cultural and religious centre, there are plenty of unmissable events in Pisa. Look out for these charming celebrations:

• Palio do Buti is a medieval-origin annual horse race held in nearby Buti, and it's one of the most famous events.
• Expect a raucous Carnival celebration in nearby Viareggio every February.
• Catch the Capodanno Pisano, a traditional Italian New Year celebration, in March. It features lively streets, sumptuous dishes and traditional music performances.
• The city celebrates San Ranieri after patron saint Giugno Pisano on the 16th of June. It's noted for its medieval costumes and fireworks.

How to move around in Pisa

While tourist buses and railway services are a great way to travel, why not try cycling? Many Pisa hotels lend out bikes to their guests. Otherwise, look for the local bike-sharing scheme of Cicopli, which allows you to pick up bikes from one of the 15 stations. Cycling tours for tourists are a popular means of navigating the city without getting clogged by traffic. You'll also discover some hard-to-reach gems along the charming riverside routes. Otherwise, buses and taxis will serve you well when trying to reach the top sightseeing spots.

The climate in Pisa

In summer, Pisa is marked by a hot and Mediterranean climate, particularly between June and August. It's not uncommon for summertime temperatures to exceed 30° C. Summer is also the peak time to travel since this is when most major outdoor festivals are at their height. The weather is exceptional in April, as well as between September and October. The temperature during these months often reaches a high of 20° C. The chance of rain is higher outside of the summer months, particularly in autumn and winter. Although the weather might be crisp and calm, winter closes the doors to many restaurants and attractions.