The best time to visit Pisa

The best time for Pisa is spring and early autumn. July and August bring heat and crowds exactly where you spend the most time queuing — around the Leaning Tower.

Spring and early autumn: the easiest months to walk in

In spring and early autumn the whole loop from the station to the Piazza dei Miracoli and back along the Arno can be walked without a break for the heat, and the queue for the Tower is shorter than at the height of summer.

1 dayA plan that works in these months, hour by hour:Pisa in 1 day →

If you only pick one month — October. Temperature is the mean over the whole day (not the daily high), and a rainy day has at least 1 mm of rain; averages for 2021–2024.

July and August bring the year's worst heat and the biggest crowds, felt most on the square with the Tower — climbing needs a slot, so a ticket bought ahead is the only way to avoid waiting. The sun stays strong into the afternoon, so the walk along the Arno to Santa Maria della Spina is better left for late afternoon, when the church opens too.

Day tripsDay trips that offer an escape to the sea in summer:Day trips from Pisa →

Winter is colder, but nothing closes for it: the Duomo, the Baptistery and the Camposanto stay open in winter, on shorter hours (Baptistery and Camposanto: 9–20 (Oct–Feb 9–18; until 22 in summer)). The only thing you lose is lingering outdoors, along the river.

• In summer, book the Tower ticket ahead, since that is when crowds peak.
• In winter, expect a shorter time outdoors and shorter hours indoors, so start the day earlier.
• Save the seaside trips (Livorno, Viareggio) for the warmer months.

1 dayWhat the plan does when Santa Maria della Spina is shut, whatever the season:Pisa in 1 day →