Is Pisa worth a visit?
 

I've been to Italy several times but never to Pisa. I'm taking my niece to Europe next summer and she really wants to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Everything I've read doesn't seem to indicate there's much to see there other than the Tower. Are there some hidden treasures worth seeing around there, or should I just take a day trip there from somewhere else (maybe Siena?). Thanks for your help!

I was there just two days ago. My daughter and her husband really wanted to see it so we drove there from Siena. We had a hard time finding it as signage is really poor. We did not stay and see anything else in Pisa but I felt it was a waste of time and effort (although I did not have a great deal of interest in the first place).

When I went to Italy 2 years ago, we went to Pisa. You only need an hour or two to see the Tower area - there is also a basilica and another building. I think it is worth a day trip. There isn't much else there that I saw.<BR><BR>It was fascinating to hear about how they spent years lifting the tower so it isn't leaning quite as much anymore. You also learn that the tower was built at different angles because it was already starting to lean before it was finished! <BR><BR>I have a great photo from the area that is blown up on my wall at home. I think you should take your niece as a day trip.

The tower, the duomo, the babtistery and camposanto are all worth seeing. They're all located on the same beautiful grass campo (Piazza dei Miracoli), in a gorgeous arrangement. Unfortunately, they're surrounded by an awful ring of tourist shacks. Whether it's worth a trip or not depends on your level of tolerance for ugly tourist-trap encrustation.<BR>http://www.opapisa.it/duomo_eng/piazza/

I also thought it was a waste of time. I had no desire to climb it and didn't even ask if tickets were available. The cathedral is impressive and free. Others said the Baptistry and cemetary weren't and you have to pay.<BR><BR>Unlike other major sites in Italy, Pisa just didn't do anything for me.

Same thing happened when my daughter wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. We drove and drove to get there, it was very difficult as there are NO signs to help you. We got on the ferry and saw the statue. We did not stay and see anything else in New York, so I think New York was a waste of time and effort too.

One half day (5 hours or so) is plenty for Pisa. Since the city center was heavily bombed in WWII, not much survives, except the Campo dei Miracoli thank God! Visit the Campo dei Miracoli and then the tiny Cappella della Spina, a very ornate, typically Pisan-style gothic chapel with a relic of one of the thorns from the Crown of Thorns. Just try to ascertain what times it is open - it has odd hours. Perhaps you can figure it out by checking the City of Pisa website. Then you're done! And you can even go up the Tower now.