Pisa

Pisa Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni) shares grounds with Pisa Duomo (where the Leaning Tower is located). It took more than two centuries to complete. This amazing marble Baptistery is the largest one in the whole of Italy, and dates back to the 12th century. Pay your visit in the early morning to experience the amazing acoustics. The Cathedral is an incredible work of art with more than a thousands years of history, and its design influenced many other buildings in the whole country.

One of the most outstanding architectural structures of medieval Europe (partly due to human error during construction), the Leaning Tower is today the most famous landmark of Pisa. It is the bell tower of the Cathedral whose construction began in 1173, and continued for over two centuries. This miscalculated eight-story building is over 55 metres high and leans at an angle of 5 degrees. Without any doubts, this popular tourist attraction is a "must" when visiting the city. Don’t forget the camera, since this is a perfect place to take some amusing photos.

The Botanical Garden and Museum (Orto e Museo Botanico) was established in 1544 as the first university botanical garden in Europe, by the famous botanist Luca Ghini. The garden is divided into sections containing the botanical school, gardens, ponds, greenhouses and various buildings. Major collections include herb gardens and arboreta, as well as the old botany institute of late 16th century, with a façade ornamented with sea-shells.

The Italian word "Camposanto" (Holy Yard) - which is a synonym of "cemetery" - was first used with reference to this Pisan building. According to the legend, it contained soil which was seen as miraculous due to its origins in the Holy Land. You will find this peaceful place with amazing frescoes, mosaics and statues on the same site as the Leaning Tower, the UNESCO World Heritage site Piazza del Duomo di Pisa.

The Museum of Cathedral Works (Museo dell’Opera del Duomo) opened in 1986 to showcase the art and sculptures of Pisa. Today, its collection includes works which previously adorned the buildings in the Piazza dei Miracoli. After the big three (the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery), this is the fourth major landmark to fit into your time schedule. You will find this interesting museum behind the Leaning Tower.

The Royal Palace was built, as commanded by the House of Medici, in the late 16th century, and became the National Museum in 1989. Today, it hosts numerous works of art belonging to the courts of the city government, such as the Medici, Lorena and Savoia, as well as some private collections. The building still keeps the appearance of an aristocratic residence, with fittings and furniture from the 17th to 19th centuries.

The beautiful Knights' Square was the political centre of the Pisan Republic. During the 16th century, it was radically transformed by Giorgio Vasari and became the seat of the new military order of the Knights of St. Stephen. The square is dominated by the Palazzo della Carovana, whose façade is completely covered in graffiti and that, today, hosts the Scuola Normale Superiore, founded by Napoleon in 1810.

Lungarnos are quays that run along a river; Pisa's ones, with their beautiful palaces and romantic bridges over them, have been the heart and soul of the city for centuries. Today, it is possible to walk along them to admire river Arno and its surroundings and, especially if the weather is good, to stop and eat an ice cream or get a drink in one of the several cafes along them.

This is one of the most popular places to taste true Tuscan flavours. I Porci Comodi carefully selects the best ingredients and offers a list of delicious sandwiches, cold cuts and local wines and beers, which you can also easily take away.

Italy is known for its tasty pizzas and at Gusto al 129 you really understand why. Some people even say that this place serves the best pizza in the whole of Italy. There you will find not only the most classic pizzas, but the owners are not afraid to experiment with new recipes - the main reason for their success - and to keep creating new pizzas, also inspired by the clients' tastes. For each pizza, you will be suggested the best beer to drink with it.

Located in Marina di Pisa, right by the sea, this fine and romantic restaurant will please you with its brilliant cuisine mostly centring around fish. Enjoy a wonderful sunset eating in one of the best places in the area, and try one of the delicious and creative plates of fresh fish, but not before a tasty aperitivo.

L'Ostellino is a real Tuscan "street food" restaurant that has rapidly become the first choice for both tourists and locals who want to have a quick yet quality meal. Cold cuts, cheese and sandwiches with the best local ingredients, together with Tuscan wines, are the strong selling points of this awesome place.

You will find out, perhaps surprisingly, that even in the heart of Italy there are excellent international restaurants. So, if you are hungry and you feel tired of pasta, big steaks and pizza, Namaste India Ristorante offers authentic Indian food right in the city centre of Pisa. With more than 30 years in the business, this restaurant - very close to Palazzo Blu - will provide you with the best Indian flavours.

This is said to be one of the best restaurants of Pisa and never too busy due to its location outside the city centre (it’s around 2 km from Piazza dei Miracoli). The restaurant is located in an independent house with a garden, and you can eat in the dining room and, in summer time, in the garden. The name literally means "At my place", since the owner has lived there since he was born, but also because he loves making people feel at home, offering an excellent food and wine selection.

Ristorante da Mario serves typical Tuscan dishes such as vegetable soup, homemade pasta and fish - in a retro setting. It is located close to Piazza dei Miracoli, which you can reach by walking in 10 minutes, and all of its major attractions.

Sitting inside this cosy and friendly restaurant, where you can sometimes hear live piano or guitar music, for whatever you will choose to have - lunch, dinner, a cup of coffee or a glass of local wine - you will get the best service.

If you are interested in antiques and old furniture, many fairs are held in Via Santa Maria, Piazza Felice Cavallotti, Via dei Mille, Via Corsica, Piazza dei Cavalieri and Via Ulisse Dini - so basically all around the city centre - every second weekend of the month (except August and July). More than 100 artisans take part in these highly recommended events, and animate the historic centre with their stands and works of art

The Fruit and Food Market (Mercato delle Vettovaglie) opens from Monday to Friday in Piazza delle Vettovaglie, a 16th century square, and is over a hundred years old. It is very popular amongst locals, who do their daily shopping there, so walk through it to see and experience the everyday life of Pisa.

This fashion boutique opened in the 1970s and, through the years, more outlets have opened in the city, each of them with their own style and character. With brands like Valentino, Balenciaga, Dior, Burberry, Dolce&Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Givenchy, Gucci, Moncler, Prada and Steve Madden, it is still very popular among shopaholics in Pisa.

Enoteca Bacchus, a family-run shop which specialises in high quality wines, rums and whiskies, is the perfect place if you wish to buy some drinkable souvenirs to bring home with you, or some very special gifts. The shelves here are filled with different sorts of wines and liquors, both by local and international brands. The family who runs this wine shop also opened a restaurant, located in Via Aurelia Sud 8, with both indoor and garden seating available.

If you feel that a more "underground", alternative style suits you better, then you will prefer this cool shop rather than average high street boutiques. Sanantonio 42 is a heaven for vintage lovers: you will find not only street-wear clothing, but also a wide range of vinyls (with soul, r&b, rap and rock music), skateboards, DJ accessories and products for graffiti.

In the medieval street of Borgo Stretto, full of exclusive boutiques, you will find Sergio Capone, a luxury watch shop and the only official Rolex dealer in Pisa. Feast your eyes on a wide range of elegant watches, sparkling jewels and precious stones, carefully selected by Sergio Capone since 1987.

Along the Borgo Stretto, DEI Group has several different shops for both men and women who are looking for elegant clothes, but still with the sense of fashion. The stores Dei Uomo, Dei Donna, Il Cavallo Uomo and Il Cavallo Donna are house of brands like Dries Van Noten, Ralph Lauren, Woolrich, Sun 68, Golden Goose and Marsèll.

When you are in need of new literature, pay a visit to laFeltrinelli Librerie. Here you find a wide selection of books, films, music and other paraphernalia.