The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most fascinating and popular tourist attractions in Italy visited by thousands of people from across the world. The foundation of the tower is soft on one side because of which the ground could not support the weight and the structure gradually started tilting. It was built as a freestanding bell tower of the nearby cathedral and although it has been stabilized, it still leans significantly. This unique tilt of the tower makes it stand out from similar structures and makes everyone include it in their must-see list.
It was started in 1173 and took almost 200 years to complete!
Leaning Tower of Pisa Tourist Information and Hours:
The hours of operation vary throughout the year depending on the season and are subject to change. So it is better to check the official website and plan your trip accordingly.
For November through February The tower is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
It is also open during the holiday season of December 25 to January 1 Extended Holiday Hours: 9 am to 6 pm.
For March The hours of operation are 9 am to 6 pm.
From April through September Hours are 8:30 am to 8:30 pm.
October, the tower is open from 9 am to 7 pm
The entry fee is 15 euros per person. Buying advanced tickets for climbing the tower and experience a breathtaking view is advised, as there is a huge rush due to such a large number of visitors. The last visitors are allowed on the tower for up to half-hour before closing time.
There are many ways in which you can travel to Pisa, the most popular being bus and train services. If you are in Florence, the best option will be to travel west on a train. Florence is a tourist hub and there are many trains leaving for Pisa every day at short intervals. You can board a fast train from the Florence Train Station (Santa Maria Novella) by getting tickets at the station ticket counter or automatic machines. Online bookings are available at the Trenitalia website which provides the schedules, rates etc. You can use cash or credit card to make the purchase and also book your ticket on the phone until 10 minutes before departure. The journey hardly takes an hour and you can relax and enjoy the view of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
If you are short on time, flights are available too. Since Pisa airport is within the city, it does not take much time to reach the Tower. The two cities fall under the same time zone, so you do not have to make any time adjustments. Adventurous tourists can also hire a rental car or get a cab and you will have to pay the toll fee if you go by road. Besides the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you can also check out the Florence Flower Festival in May or Luminara -- a candlelight street festival in June.
Overall, Pisa is a place you should definitely include in your travel itinerary and the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the highlight of this trip.
Related Links
Agritourism Vacation in Tuscany
Going from Rome to Florence by Train
Photo Attribution: By Alkarex Malin äger (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
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