Day trips from Pisa
A walled fortress town, the sea, a seaside promenade and a hill town of towers — all four start from Pisa, three by train and Volterra by train and bus.
- Lucca
- train (Trenitalia, regionale)
- Livorno
- train (Trenitalia, regionale)
- Viareggio
- train (Trenitalia, regionale)
If there's time for only one trip, make it Lucca — about 25–30 min by train, with a full ring of walls to walk or cycle. Livorno and Viareggio are closer, half-day trips by the sea, while Volterra needs a full day and a change onto a bus.
Worth it, if you only pick one
Lucca never tore down its Renaissance walls — today they form a ring you can walk or cycle, with rooftop views from the top of the ramparts. The train from Pisa takes about 25–30 min, a return ticket is €10, and half a day covers the town.
Worth it for half a day by the sea
Livorno is a port and a maritime city, with canals that earn it the nickname "little Venice". The ride is about 15–20 min, a return ticket costs €6, and half a day is enough for the town.
Worth it for the beach or a walk along the front
Viareggio is a seaside resort with an Art Nouveau promenade, lined with villas and bathing establishments from the early 20th century. It is about 15 min by train, and a return ticket costs €9. Plan for half a day or a full day (beach).
Not for a short stay, worth it with a full day
Volterra is a hill town of towers deep in inland Tuscany, with no direct rail link. You take the train to Pontedera, then bus line 500 into the town itself: about 1 h 50 (one way, with a change). Seeing the town takes a full day.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Which day trip from Pisa is best if I pick one?
Lucca, for walls you can walk or cycle and a about 25–30 min train ride.
Do I need a car for these trips?
Not necessarily — Lucca, Livorno and Viareggio all work by train. For Volterra, a car is more comfortable than the train-plus-bus combination.
Which of these four trips comes with a beach?
Viareggio, a seaside resort with an Art Nouveau promenade.
Ready for Pisa?
Where to next
The best time to visit Pisa
→Summer in Pisa brings heat and crowds around the Tower — spring and early autumn are the easiest months to…
San Gimignano · 57 km
→Walls with fourteen surviving towers out of what was once seventy-two, seen from the road before you even reach the gate.
How well does Pisa suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
Front row for the next trip
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