Pisa is one of those destinations where you think the itinerary will write itself; you have that one thing in mind you want to see and assume the rest of the day spent there will fall into place. This is not true.
The city feels tiny, as it’s quiet and residential. You can walk up and down a few miles without passing another person, because other than the locals going about their daily business in other areas of the city, everyone is gathered in Piazza del Duomo holding their palms in the air. There’s not much else to do, especially if you deem the €28 ticket to climb the 55-meter tower a rip-off (which you should).
Well, take that with a grain of salt. Of course, if you’re the kind of tourist who thrives on getting lost and soaking in local culture, sure, you’ll find something else to do or see in Pisa. But most people visiting Pisa are there for one reason and one reason only: the Leaning Tower. In which case, don’t bother.
Pisa is an attractive stop on most tourists’ Italy itineraries, mostly because it’s easy to get to -- just an hour train ride from bigger and better Florence -- and it’s just about as directly associated with Italy as the Colosseum. But ask yourself why everyone wants to visit. Let me know if you come up with a better answer than, “To take a picture.”
