Where to Stay in Pisa: 5 Excellent Areas & Hotels!
Choosing where to stay in Pisa is easier than you might think, as many of the city’s main attractions are located within walking distance of each other. However, the area you choose can still have a big impact on your experience. While some neighborhoods are perfect for sightseeing and exploring the historic center, others offer a quieter atmosphere, more local charm, and often better accommodation deals. Whether you’re looking for a stylish boutique hotel, a cozy B&B, a modern apartment, or a budget-friendly hostel, Pisa offers excellent options for every type of traveler and budget.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best areas to stay in Pisa, find carefully selected hotel recommendations, and learn which neighborhoods are best suited for sightseeing, a romantic getaway, or a relaxed city break in Tuscany.
Santa Maria
The pretty neighborhood of Santa Maria is a fantastic option for travelers who want to stay close to the main attractions of Pisa. Staying in the center is also a popular option for those who are visiting Pisa for the first time and may only be able to stay for one day. Indeed, its location around the magnificent Piazza Dei Miracoli with the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Baptistery is hard to beat. You will be living in the heart of the city, so you can fully enjoy the great Italian atmosphere with its romantic alleys, traditional restaurants and cafés. Although there is always a lot going on in the area around the Leaning Tower, the hustle and bustle thins out just a few alleys down the road.
The old town is definitely the place where you’ll find some of the best hotels in Pisa, which are often housed in some really charming buildings. But there are also some really nice guesthouses and excellent apartments. The proximity to the Leaning Tower in particular makes this part of the city very popular with many tourists, so it’s absolutely worth booking your accommodation in this area well in advance.
Best Accommodations & Hotels:
- Charming Boutique Hotel: The wonderful Rif – Boutique Hotel is located in a charming villa with a garden. The Leaning Tower is only a few minutes walk away.
- Fantastic 3-Star Hotel: The Hotel Pisa Tower has an unbeatable location, just 100 meters from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and is a top choice for a short trip.
- Nice Small Guesthouse: The Eco Pisa Tower Guesthouse is a real insider tip! The guesthouse has only 4 rooms, is very family-friendly and has a pleasant garden.
San Francesco
The lively San Francesco neighborhood is just a short walk east of Santa Maria and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy Pisa’s vibrant nightlife and experience the atmosphere of the city center off the beaten track. Since it is also home to the University of Pisa, many young people live in this area. This makes for a cool mix of student life, cheap prices and plenty of bars and restaurants for nightlife. Here you can feel the real Italian flair, and in the evening you can end your sightseeing day in the many bars and pubs in the narrow streets. But San Francesco also has a lot to offer during the day. On every corner, you will find impressive historical buildings like the 13th century church Chiesa di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria.
San Francesco is a really cool neighborhood to stay in Pisa, offering vacationers an authentic yet hip Tuscan experience. The quality of accommodation in this area is also phenomenal. In addition, the hotels, apartments, and guesthouses are centrally located, making them ideal for sightseeing and going out.
Best Accommodations & Hotels:
- 3-Star Hotel with Roof Terrace: The Hotel Di Stefano is a nice, comfortable hotel in the center of town. A highlight is the rooftop terrace with a view of the Leaning Tower.
- Magnificent B&B: The Rinascimento Bed & Breakfast is definitely one of the best places to stay in Pisa. Guests love the beautiful rooms and the delicious breakfast.
- Exceptional Apartment: The extraordinary Nella Torre del Poschi Penthouse with the huge roof terrace is a magnificent, huge apartment in the heart of Pisa.
San Martino & Sant’ Antonio
The two neighborhoods of San Martino and Sant’Antonio are located on the south bank of the Arno River and are a popular choice if you want to stay away from the center of Pisa. Families with children looking for a quieter residential area also like to book accommodation in these neighborhoods. Particularly charming is San Martino, which is home to fascinating attractions such as the Giardino Scotto park with the Fortezza Nuova, dating back to 1440, and the Museo della Grafica Palazzo Lanfranchi art museum. Just next door is the equally beautiful neighborhood of Sant’Antonio, where you can admire the famous church of Santa Maria della Spina. In addition, in both neighborhoods there are many good places to stay, authentic restaurants, and also the largest shopping street in the city, Corso Italia, invites to go shopping.
A real plus is the proximity to the main train station, bus station and airport. In addition, the hotel is well-connected to the public transportation network, allowing guests to easily reach the city center and other destinations in Tuscany. In this way, a stay in Pisa can be combined in an ideal way with day trips.
Best Accommodations & Hotels:
- City Hotel in the best Location: The charming Hotel Bologna is a popular city hotel in a prime location. The hotel’s inexpensive private parking is also fantastic.
- Charming Guesthouse: The La Corte di Lisa – Self Check-in offers several nice rooms and also a vacation apartment in a central location between the train station and the center.
- Nice Apartment: The CIVICO 47 is a very tasteful apartment. It is just a few minutes walk from the airport, train, and bus stations.
Marina di Pisa
The charming area around Marina di Pisa is the perfect place for a relaxing stay by the sea. Located just 10 kilometers from Pisa, this former fishing village offers picturesque beaches and a good selection of seaside accommodations. Whether couples, singles, or families with children, Marina di Pisa is a great option for those who want to enjoy the sun, beach, and sea. Here, after sightseeing, you can spend the rest of the day on the beautiful coastline, relaxing from the hustle and bustle of the old town and enjoying seafood in the local restaurants. Connections to the city center are excellent, so you can get to the center of Pisa in a short time by bus or by car. For a vacation by the sea, there are several types of accommodation available, although you can find mainly guesthouses and apartments.
Moreover, from Marina di Pisa you can also make various excursions in the surrounding area. The Parco Regionale Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, which is located between the city of Pisa and Marina di Pisa, is highly recommended and will delight you with its many splendid natural sites.
Best Accommodations & Hotels:
- Simple 3-Star Hotel: The L’incanto Di Boccadarno is a simple, clean 3-star hotel located at the port of Marina di Pisa. The beautiful beach is not far away.
- Charming Guesthouse: The Affreschi sul mare is located in a beautiful house in a prime location in Marina di Pisa. The rooms have ceiling paintings and are lovingly decorated.
- Small, Pretty B&B: The Annemarie is a small, pretty B&B. Guests love the modern furnishings of the rooms, the cleanliness is top-notch, and the location is first class as well.
More about where to stay in Italy:
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Where to Stay in Rome: Top 7 Areas & Hotels
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Where to Stay in Florence: 7 Best Areas & Hotels
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Where to Stay in Bologna: Top 7 Areas & Hotels
-
Where to Stay in Verona: Top 6 Areas & Hotels
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