Ask me and my brothers which city in Italy was our favourite and we will all tell you Pisa.
When you hear Pisa, you think about the leaning tower. But the world-renowned attraction may not be as popular as it is if it was upright.
You would think the city hosting one of Italy’s most famous landmarks would be overflowing with tourists like Rome or Florence. But, it was almost as quiet as a small village. We were baffled. How could a city with everything you could want be overlooked?
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The most crowded location in the city was obviously the tower and the buildings surrounding it. Almost all the tourists there were coming from Rome and Florence on day trips just to see the tower, only to return to their hotels via coach.
The buildings that shared the courtyard with the tower enticed visitors, but not one of the most obvious attractions: The Walls of Pisa. For five euros, you can walk three kilometres along the medieval walls of the city and see the residential areas, shops and quieter streets that you would normally miss. It’s also a safe and affordable way to get from different ends of the city with a view. Whereas, Dubrovnik’s walls cost thirty-four euros to walk along.
The City Centre
After checking into our hotel we went out looking for a place to eat. As we walked along the river, we were stunned. There were virtually no people about, never mind tourists. And it was after five so people weren’t in the office. There were no crowds, tour groups or influencers. It was peaceful. It felt like stepping into a different world.
The streets were quiet and clean. Our surroundings were a combination of elements from other beautiful European cities. It had building fronts reminiscent of Copenhagen, the river of Amsterdam and the ambient street lighting of Paris. It was like an urban paradise.
And along the river Arno were great finds. Like Misú Gourmet; a tiramisu restaurant. And the Palazzo Blu; a bright blue art museum.
Most of our adoration came from surprise. Other than the famous tower, we didn’t know what else there was in Pisa. With the exception of the Palazzo, which we found during a Google search. Initially we were just in Pisa for the night because our flight was leaving from there. But we were all pleasantly surprised when our final stop was so delightful.
As the night went on, the sun set and the sky turned to twilight. The stone walls surrounding the river paired with the street lights; creating a picturesque setting with a pleasant ambience.
All the other Italian cities were stunning. But there were crowds and in some parts, lacking character. But Pisa kept its beauty and soul. It also attracted crowds, just not everywhere they should be.
In short, Pisa is a must-see city. Not just for the tower, but for the beauty, peace and atmosphere.
Featured Image Credit: Isla Barker
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
