Pisa is fairly small, and most attractions are close enough to walk to. The local bus service, Compagnia Pisana Trasporti (CPT), runs between the airport, central station and other popular locations.
Getting from the airport to the city
Pisa International Airport (PSA) is also known as Pisa-San Giusto Airport and is located in the San Giusto district, just about half a mile (1 km) south of Pisa’s city centre.
What is good to know if travelling to Pisa?- The Cathedral of Pisa is located near the Leaning Tower in the Cathedral Square, which is also known as the Piazza del Duomo. Construction of the cathedral began in 1064 and it is a pre-eminent example of Pisan Romanesque architecture.
- The famed Leaning Tower in Piazza del Duomo isn’t Pisa’s only historic building at a slant: the bell towers of San Nicola Church and the Church of San Michele of Scalzi do not stand entirely upright either. Pisa’s most famous slanted tower leans due to its insufficient foundation as well as the weakness of subsoil beneath, and the San Michele tower owes its tilt to subsidence, whereas the base of San Nicola’s octagonal bell tower is actually located under the modern day streets.
- The Luminara of San Ranieri festival, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, should not be missed if visiting in June. Every year on the evening of June 16 (San Ranieri’s Eve), riverside buildings are decorated with candles, whose glowing reflections flicker pleasantly on the surface of the Arno. The evening concludes with a midnight firework display over the citadel and nearby bridge.
- Pisa’s Botanical Gardens, belonging to the University of Pisa, is said to be one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. It was established in 1543 by Luca Ghini, and is open to the public Monday through Saturday. There is a small admission fee.
- Pisa’s Romanesque Baptistery, dedicated to St John the Baptist, dates back to the 12th century and is the largest baptistery in Italy, with a circumference of a 341 feet (104 m). The baptistery is known for its perfect acoustics. Arrive early in the day (to avoid crowds) and test it out for yourself.
Pisa airport overview
Pisa International Airport, or Galileo Galilei Airport, is less than a mile (1km) from central Pisa. It’s a great airport to use when travelling to the Tuscany region and it is only 37 miles (60km) from Florence.
Although Pisa International Airport has a wide selection of passenger amenities, it does tend to get a bit crowded, particularly during the peak summer season. Passengers using the airport have loads of seating space in the restaurants and cafes, but the terminal itself is a little small and cramped.
With a number of low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair and easyJet, offering cheap flights to Pisa International Airport, it’s easy to find a ticket to suit your budget. There are also a number of regional carriers offering flights to Galileo Galilei Airport from cities across Europe, including Madrid, London, Rome, Athens and Barcelona. There are even some flights to Pisa International from further afield, such as Moscow, Sharm el-Sheikh and New York.
Pisa International is well serviced by public transport options and it’s a great airport to use as a gateway to the Florence region.