Predominately known for its architectural project gone wrong, and Galileo’s pebbles, there’s a lot more to Pisa than one wonky tower, though it does draw the crowds. And the crowds are the reason Pisa has such a great range of accommodation options! It’s a challenge to pick out the best places to stay in Pisa from amongst the grand palazzos, converted villas, traditional and contemporary hotels, pensiones and B&Bs, plus hillside spa resorts dating from the 18th century.
Pisa straddles the Arno just before it empties into the Ligurian Sea, and its wealth was built on maritime power, before the Roman period — in fact Virgil called it an old city — and current archaeological thinking puts its founding during the fifth century BC, when it was apparently right on the sea. So there’s A LOT more to Pisa than the tower, which only went up in the 12th century — and is actually leaning at less of an angle now that it was in the 1990s. Pisa has a fantastic list of museums and galleries, and because the city is so culturally and historically rich it’s blessed with a really varied festival calendar, so it’s a great destination for travellers looking to spice up their Italian trip with something a bit special.
Although no longer a maritime power, Pisa is still an educational one, with several elite universities. The big student community keeps Pisa vibrant and there's a healthy bar and cafe culture, which is more reasonably priced than you'd expect from a city so appealing to visitors. Pisa is also an excellent size for navigating on foot, with lots of discover along the streets — many of them pedestrianised — between the station and the Campo dei Miracole, which is the historic, touristy bit. Just don't forget that if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Pisa during the peak summer months, you'll need to get organised and book well ahead to avoid disappointment.