Bucket list experience:
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One of Italy’s most popular sights, this astonishingly beautiful belltower dates back to 1173. An architectural marvel at the time, the tower was doomed from the outset, having been built on unstable sand and clay.
It began to lean once the third storey was completed; work was suspended for a hundred years, with the tower only being completed in the late 14th century. It housed seven bells, one for each musical note, and eventually reached a height of just over 58m.
In 1993, at 15 feet off the vertical, the tower seemed so close to collapse that an expensive rescue bid was made involving vast counterweights, steel cables and lots of digging. It worked to a degree; the building is once again safe and open to the public (but with enough lean to keep the hordes coming).
The still-famously titling tower still attracts millions of visitors a year, for the unnerving climb up its 293 steps.
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Destination Guide >The tower is a 30-minute walk from Pisa Centrale train station. It is much closer to San Rossore station where some local trains stop. Bus 4 runs from the train station.
There are ticket offices at the entrance to the Piazza dei Miracoli. Tickets can also be purchased online up to 20 days in advance. There are various packages starting with an accumulative ticket that includes entrance to the Leaning Tower (for which a specific visit time must be booked) and the other monuments in the Field of Miracles. It’s also possible to buy tickets for the Tower alone.
Audio guides are available in five languages (fee).
The visit takes around 30 minutes. The 251 accessible steps are steep and the stairwell is quite narrow; it’s not advisable for anyone suffering from claustrophobia or with heart problems. Wear good solid shoes and take a bottle of water.
The Leaning Tower is open daily, all year round. Tickets must be pre-booked for a specific time slot; this can be done on the day at the ticket kiosk, but queues can be very long, especially in high season, and availability is limited.
Instead, book in advance online, when you can choose a time slot to suit and skip the queue. Go first thing in the morning to avoid the worst of the crowds; tour groups rarely arrive before ten.
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Lucca, Tuscany, Italy[15.7 miles]
A comfortable hotel in Lucca’s historic centre, the Grand Universe offers four-star amenities and services and an excellent location.
Official star rating:
Camaiore, Tuscany, Italy[25.5 miles]
A lovely old farmhouse, set in beautiful gardens and transformed into a stylish, laid-back retreat. A great location for exploring Lucca, Pisa and the beaches of the Versilia.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Tuscany, Italy
A heady mix of incomparable Renaissance art, gorgeous palazzos, Tuscan cuisine and home-grown haute couture.
Tuscany, Italy
The astonishingly beautiful region of Tuscany has it all: art cities and ancient hill towns, high mountains and long sandy beaches, alongside luxurious hotels and some of Italy’s best food and wine.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Pisa, Tuscany, Italy[0.1 miles]
Pisa’s Field of Miracles is an extraordinary complex of historic buildings set on a wide green lawn, encompassing the iconic Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Campo Santo.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Lucca, Tuscany, Italy[15.9 miles]
A picturesque mix of Medieval and Renaissance buildings, Lucca is a gem of a town that never gets over-run with tourists, giving it a delightfully authentic feel.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Pisa, Tuscany, Italy[1 miles]
Housed in the atmospheric, 17th-century ex-Arsenal, this archaeological museum traces the fascinating 1,000-year history of seafaring and ships in Pisa, once a great Maritime Republic. Star exhibits include the collection of restored Roman vessels, unearthed in the San Rossore area.
Best for ages: 4+ | £6
Lucca, Tuscany, Italy[16.1 miles]
On the third weekend of the month, Piazza San Martino and the surrounding streets host a sprawling antiques market with everything from furniture and pictures to coins, jewellery and vintage clothes.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
