Pisa from Cruise Port La Spezia: Pisa on Your Own
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Seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa from cruise port La Spezia is easy on your own or with a pre-arranged tour.
Pisa is one of those great cruise travel destinations. It’s a place with one major and iconic attraction that can easily be enjoyed in a half day. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, known locally as Torre di Pisa, is the city’s biggest tourist draw.
How To See The Leaning Tower of Pisa on Your Own From Cruise Port La Spezia
I’m not a big proponent of cruise ship-sponsored shore excursions. I did a quick search on the major providers' websites. They list the price for a day in Pisa at between USD$300-$400 for two people to take the trip we will describe here. Our outlined trip will cost about USD $55 per person.
If you’re nervous about going on your own, a trip from our partners like Get Your Guide or Viator will likely save you money.
As a savvy traveler, I feel confident that I can make my own way to and from a destination without fear of getting lost. They like to stoke your fear of missing the ship’s departure if you leave the boat outside of their travel bubble. That absolutely could happen, but if you pay attention to the time, you’ll be fine. If you miss a train, you can call a taxi.
Let’s say the absolute worst-case scenario happens and you miss your ship’s departure. For about US$30 per person, you can hop onto a 2.5-hour train to the next port city of Rome. Another $150 will get you a decent hotel in the center of the city. Instead of a cruise buffet, you grab dinner at a quaint restaurant and sip wine under a moonlit Rome. Chances are the mistake of missing your ship will cost you less than the shore excursion.
Shopping at the Port of La Spezia
From the port of La Spezia, a 25-minute walk through a wonderful shopping street will take you to La Spezia Centrale, the main train station in the city. Along the way, cafes spill out onto the narrow brick pedestrian street. You will not be able to resist a quick coffee and pastry along the way. If you do not wish to leave the port, shopping in this area could fill up a few hours of your day.
Buying Train Tickets for Pisa at Spezia Centrale
If you’re heading to Pisa, once you reach the station, you can purchase round-trip tickets to Pisa Centrale for about USD$25 per person.
The journey to Pisa takes just over one hour via a comfortable air-conditioned train car. When you arrive, another twenty-minute walk from the station will get you to Piazza dei Miracoli, home of the Leaning Tower. This is a similarly enjoyable walk on a series of pedestrian streets. Take the time to enjoy the walk and shops along the way (or take note for the walk back).
You can also choose to take a bus to and from either train station. Fares are paid in cash when entering the bus. It won’t save you much time, but if you have issues with all the walking, it is a possibility for you.
What To See in Pisa
The Piazza dei Miracoli is the center of historic Pisa. In addition to the Leaning Tower, you will find some other impressive examples of medieval architecture. The central cathedral was built in 1064. The building is a masterpiece of marble, mosaic, and bronze art. Inside a collection of medieval and Roman art will inspire art loves. Nearby, the Opera del Duomo Museum is home to some of the original art from the cathedral.
The Pisa Baptistery is a Roman Catholic holy site built in Gothic style in the 12th century. It’s a round building with curved arches. The pointed red roof contrasts the white marble structure. Like the Tower, the baptistery leans to the side at a less noticeable angle.
Nearby is the Sinopie Museum, where you can view fresco preparatory drawings. Important pieces to art historians, but a boring spread for laymen.
The star of the show, The Leaning Tower was built over 199 years starting in the 12th century. The tower began to sink and lean into the unstable soil after the foundation was laid and the first floor was built. Construction paused for nearly 100 years because of ongoing wars and conflicts. Historians believe that the pause allowed the ground to stabilize in a way that allowed the tower to be built on its signature lean. The tower leaned for seven centuries until 1990 when architects found it necessary to stabilize and strengthen the original structure.
Visitors can climb the tower's spiral staircase for a skyline view of the square and Pisa cityscape.
It is free to walk and explore the Piazza. Entrance to the cathedral, baptistery, and museums are ticketed. You can customize your day by deciding how many places you would like to visit. Fees are on a sliding scale of €5 for one up to €9 for all four. Visiting the Tower is a flat €18.
Outside of the historic district, you will find many tents and stalls with vendors selling tourist-oriented products ranging from tacky magnets to bags of dry pasta. There is also a general shopping area with a mix of chain stores and boutiques in historic storefronts along Via Guglielmo Oberdan.
We spent about three hours exploring the square and another 90 minutes walking the shops and having lunch.
Returning to the Ship
We traced our steps back to the train station and were back to the ship with plenty of time to settle back in for another night of buffets, ice shows, and slow sailing. The next day we spent a wild day in Rome.
Things To See in Pisa
Piazza dei Miracoli
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Opera del Duomo Museum
Pisa Baptistery
Sinopie Museum
Shopping on Via Guglielmo Oberdan
