Pisa Attractions by Car

• Posted by: Editor
• On: 13/03/2008 12:11:59
• In: Italy Car Hire

While you are visiting the Leaning Tower, you could visit the rest of Piazza dei Miracoli. In it you can find the Duomo di Pisa, the Baptistery and the Camposanto. Other sights in the city include the Santa Maria della Spina, which houses one of the thorns from Jesus’ crown; the Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knight’s Square); and a whole host of other Romanesque architectural buildings.

What’s to see in the Pisa Area?
Pisa has much to offer the curious tourist, both inside and outside of the city.

Heading out of the city to the south, about half an hour on the A12, you will come to the town of Livorno. During the Renaissance, the city was a duty free port and this allowed major expansion. The Venice Quarter of the city retains much of its original streets and architecture so is definitely worth a visit. There are still remains of the 17th century fortifications that were used to defend against pirates.

Florence is located about an hours drive directly to the east of Pisa. Florence is where the Italian Renaissance is said to have started and it continues to this day as the home of some of the finest works of arts produced in that era. There are so many museums in the city you may struggle to fit them all in but the ones you simply have to visit include Galleria degli Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia which houses Michelangelo's David.

When in France you go to Champagne or Bordeaux to see where the best wine is made. When in Italy the best wine is found in the Chianti Region. This region of Tuscany is situated to the south of Florence and is quite convenient to Pisa. Many of the vineyards offer tours and wine-tastings just remember if you are driving a car rental in Italy, don’t drink and drive.

Located a short distance further to the south of Florence is the town of San Gimignano. It is well worth a day trip out to see this town with its 14 towers that are a thousand years old. These towers used to be commonplace is such cities as Florence and Bologna but history has led to those cities losing most of their towers.

About 20kms to the north there is the charming city of Lucca. You can also take a walk along the city walls; this is a very good way of getting a general idea of the layout of the city. In the city you can find the Duomo di San Martino, which includes a sculpture of the crucifixion supposedly attributed to an eyewitness, Nicodemus. Other sights include Torre Guinigi, the roman amphitheatre and plenty more.

On the coast near to Lucca you can find Versilia. This region has a long and sandy shore, perfect for those looking to soak in some rays. In the months of February and March there is the Viareggio Carnival that is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike.

Further north along the coast you come to the La Spezia province, which is home to the five villages that are part of the Cinque Terre National Park. The villages, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, have all been entered into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

As one of the most popular destinations in Italy, you may want to book your car rental early and you can do that on our Pisa car hire page.

If you have any tips about driving in and around the Pisa area feel free to let us know. Just leave your message in the comment box below.