Visit Pisa in the evening - suggestions?
 

Hi! I'm planning to visit Pisa from Florence in the late afternoon- thinking to get there around 6ish and stay for sunset. Does anyone have experience visiting late? Will it be crowded by then, and should I still buy ticket in advance? (visiting in early September) How's safety of the surrounding area when the sun goes down? Does anyone have any suggestion of good restaurants in Pisa or is it better to go back to Florence to have dinner afterwards?
Sorry for tons of questions! Much appreciated any response!

I suggest that you pre-book your ticket for the Leaning Tower to be safe, especially if it is a weekend - tickets go on sale about 6 weeks in advance so your dates should be available on line now.

http://boxoffice.opapisa.it/Torre/index.jsp

I went to Pisa on 2nd August, Sunday. We arrived around 11.00am & the walk up to the leaning tower was very quiet. At the tower itself I was expecting crowds but it was just busy. Queues to the tower itself was only about 10 to 20 people. I didn't go in the tower but walked around, had a meal & walked back. We left around 2.00pm and the walk back to the station was still quite empty. Maybe it was because it was a Sunday & most businesses were shut but I had been expecting the place to be very crowded.

Check online about latest time one can climb the tower. I'd still get the ticket in advance but it will be less crowded that time of day.

DH and I have made Pisa a travel base and really enjoyed the city. In just a couple of blocks from the Tower it became so untouristy. Always felt safe in the evenings.

We had 3 dinners of note: One was more upscale and it was called Beny's (22 Piazza Gambacori), the second was at the Trattoria in the Piazza Uomobuono and one was with the students at a student pub called Il Paiolo (I can't find an address in my notes-sorry). All had excellent meals and pub the least expensive.

We stayed at the Royal Victoria right on the Arno and they sent us to the first and last places above. We discovered the Trattoria on a walk. Have a wonderful time.

I hope my response is not too dated because we stayed overnight in Pisa two summers ago. When we arrived in Pisa by car, the line to go up the Tower was long and crowds were everywhere. However, as dinnertime rolled around, the place emptied out. We couldn't believe it. It was like we had the place to ourselves. BTW, we did not walk up the Tower, just admired its beauty from below.

We ate dinner at Antica Trattoria di Bruno, just outside the walls. it was pretty good from what I remember.

Have a great time.

>>>Queues to the tower itself was only about 10 to 20 people<<<

They only allow a certain number of people at a time for a limited amount of time (30 minutes).

Thanks for everyone's useful info! I will surely look into all the restaurant suggestions.

As for the advanced tickets, though they sell tickets for 45 days in advance, they also keep the most recent 15 days tickets for themselves. (to ensure some availabilities on site maybe?!) I didn't notice that and it is too late for me to book my tickets now...Just want to post as a reminder if anyone who's thinking to buy advanced ticket!

Thanks again for everyone's help!

Know you'll have a great time. DH and I were there in March so didn't bother with reservations, however, we were too late when we walked up in the afternoon to try to climb the tower that day. Came back the next morning around 10 and the first time wasn't until after 1:30. So, since you are arriving later in the day, I'd be nervous. Just a thought!