Pisa is the classic half-day from Firenze. One hour 10 minutes by direct regional train, €9.30 each way, no changes. The Piazza dei Miracoli is 20 minutes on foot from Pisa Centrale or five minutes from Pisa San Rossore station, and three hours cover the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Camposanto, and the Leaning Tower climb comfortably. Combine with Lucca in the afternoon if the season is right.
The day, roughly
Morning: Piazza dei Miracoli
The combined ticket (Duomo, Baptistery, Camposanto, Museo delle Sinopie) is €11 and cuts the individual queues. Verdict: the Baptistery acoustic demo alone is worth the day. Price band €11 to €22 with tower add-on.
Leaning Tower climb
Timed slot only, book online three days ahead, 251 steps, no bags allowed. Verdict: skip if you have vertigo, book the 9:30 slot otherwise. Price band €20 including cathedral entry.
Lunch: Borgo Stretto
Walk away from the piazza toward the Arno. Osteria dei Cavalieri does honest Pisan cooking (baccala mantecato, pici) at trattoria prices. Verdict: better than any menu on the tourist strip. Price band €25 to €40 a head.
Practical tips
- Alight at Pisa San Rossore, not Pisa Centrale, if the piazza is the whole trip. Five minutes on foot instead of 20.
- The tower photo (holding it up) queue occupies the west lawn from 10am. Take yours before or after that hour.
- Lucca is 30 minutes further west by regional train. A two-city day works from April to October.