Having recently visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Piazza dei Miracoli, in which it is located, with my family (my very high-maintenance and prone to complaints family), I made some observations on how to have as fun and stress-free and experience possible. Once you have found a luxury villa in Pisa and are planning a trip, keep these facts, tips and tricks in mind to help you have the best possible experience of the Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli. Be sure to read the first post in this series as well and take note of the information below.
4. Getting That Photo
To be honest, I'm not a fan of “that photo”. You know the one. The one everyone has to get, where they hold up the tower, lean on it, kiss it, poke it, etc. These perspective tricks are kind of cute but it's so over-done that I'm not really interested. However, plenty of people are and one of the first things that you will notice upon arriving at the Piazza dei Miracoli is the long line of people getting their photo, standing on the posts of the fence that surround the square. When we arrived, my sister, her boyfriend and father all wanted a picture so they went off to do that. Shortly afterwards, they came back with rather good shots, explaining that some tourists from the US had passed on some insider information: the first five or so posts closest to the tower give the best photos. So, keep this in mind if you're getting a picture yourself!
5. Clothing
This one may seem obvious and applies to all religious buildings in Italy but is important to remember: No bare shoulders and short skirts or over the knee shorts are permitted into the Duomo or Baptistery! If you are not appropriately dressed, you will be turned away. If it is hot, just bring a shawl or jacket to tie around your shoulders or waist!
Also, if you are planning on going up into the tower, wear shoes with a grip as the marble of the floor can be slippy, the building is tilted and there is no guard rail around the edge!
6. Plan for Parking
Pisa is a protected historic city and the average Joe cannot drive around the old town as they please. If you do so, you can and will be fined. Be sure to plan your journey carefully and park in one of the carparks surrounding the city. From there you can easily walk or take shuttlebuses or public transport into the centre.
Just keep all of these things in mind and you will have a fun, stress-free time at the Piazza dei Miracoli!
To be honest, I'm not a fan of “that photo”. You know the one. The one everyone has to get, where they hold up the tower, lean on it, kiss it, poke it, etc. These perspective tricks are kind of cute but it's so over-done that I'm not really interested. However, plenty of people are and one of the first things that you will notice upon arriving at the Piazza dei Miracoli is the long line of people getting their photo, standing on the posts of the fence that surround the square. When we arrived, my sister, her boyfriend and father all wanted a picture so they went off to do that. Shortly afterwards, they came back with rather good shots, explaining that some tourists from the US had passed on some insider information: the first five or so posts closest to the tower give the best photos. So, keep this in mind if you're getting a picture yourself!
5. Clothing
This one may seem obvious and applies to all religious buildings in Italy but is important to remember: No bare shoulders and short skirts or over the knee shorts are permitted into the Duomo or Baptistery! If you are not appropriately dressed, you will be turned away. If it is hot, just bring a shawl or jacket to tie around your shoulders or waist!
Also, if you are planning on going up into the tower, wear shoes with a grip as the marble of the floor can be slippy, the building is tilted and there is no guard rail around the edge!
6. Plan for Parking
Pisa is a protected historic city and the average Joe cannot drive around the old town as they please. If you do so, you can and will be fined. Be sure to plan your journey carefully and park in one of the carparks surrounding the city. From there you can easily walk or take shuttlebuses or public transport into the centre.
Just keep all of these things in mind and you will have a fun, stress-free time at the Piazza dei Miracoli!