Car Rental Pisa Airport

Pisa is an extremely pleasurable place to explore, criss-crossed as it is by meandering water and beautiful bridges. There are no skyscrapers in this traditional Italian city – instead, the tallest buildings you’ll see are historic city halls, cathedrals and, of course, toppling towers.

To reach the Leaning Tower of Pisa from Pisa Airport, simply exit onto Superstrada Firenze Pisa Livorno in your rental car before bearing north on the SS1. The journey usually takes a little over ten minutes – you’ll need to follow the river and then cross the city centre on Via Roma.

Many of Pisa’s historic attractions are located in this region, including the eerie Camposanto and Pisa Cathedral. Parking is available in the centre if you are stopping to explore, with blue lines indicating paid parking, white lines free parking and yellow lines reserved parking. There are also several large parking lots on the outskirts, including a park and ride option.

Head south to the river banks and you’ll be rewarded by clustered museums and important landmarks. On the south bank, there is a vibrant collection of traditional restaurants, trendy bars and international fashion retailers.

While in Pisa, you may want to visit the marina too. To reach this laid-back port, exit the city on SP224 and cruise towards the coast. You’ll pass more historic churches and will dissect the Natural Park Migliarino San Rossore by the banks of the Amo. This luscious landscape is a great place to see nature or play a round of golf.

From Pisa Airport, it is easy to reach the Renaissance city of Florence as well – around an hour and a half’s drive to the east.

The Tuscan coast also boasts some incredible gems, with the closest beaches to Pisa between Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia. To the north, La Spezia and the incredible Cinque Terre are just over an hour away by road.

Unless otherwise indicated, the maximum speed limit is typically 130km/h on major highways known as Autostrade, 110km/h on other highways and 90km/h on many rural roads, while speed limits in and around towns and cities are typically set at 50km/h.

Pisa is a wonderful city that has far more to offer than just its best-known attraction.

This historic hub has scientific museums, great things to do – and the glistening Italian coastline is never far away.

Lean on layers of history

Many travellers flock to Pisa to see its world-famous tower – an artistic marvel, as well as a fine example of architecture gone wrong. In fact, the wonky wonder attracts one million visitors every year.

The building dates to the 12^th century and assumed its teetering position while construction was still underway. In fact, workers recognised the unstable soil and built the icon to a slight, banana-like curve.

After tilting to the brink of collapse in the 1990s, restoration work managed to save the tower. Today it leans 3.99 degrees to the south – ideal for the classic ‘holding the tower’ photograph you’re yearning to take.

Share a Pisa knowledge

While you’re in town, step off the beaten track to see Pisa’s lesser-known attractions.

Prominent scientific figure Galileo taught in Pisa, and his legacy is everywhere you look. You can park up your rental car and take a walking tour through all the key places – the beautiful Opera della Primaziale Pisana houses important documents about the philosopher’s life, while the modern fashion district is peppered with plaques commemorating his achievements.

The city’s knowledge legacy doesn’t stop there either: a computer museum and the Museum of Human Anatomy are just two of the most popular spots.

Discover bountiful beaches

If you are looking for great beaches near Pisa, you won’t need to drive far. Marina di Pisa has a quaint pebble beach and more than its fair share of fresh sea air. You’ll find some of the freshest seafood around and plenty of entertainment too – including the popular Il Pineto Adventure Park.

If you’re looking for somewhere a little higher up the luxury scale, try Tirrenia Beach in the south. This luscious strand is framed by a pine forest and dotted with top hotels. The beach has plenty of sporting opportunities including horseback riding, golf and sailing while the nightlife is alluring, making this a popular resort.

The Tirrenia Dune Oasis, meanwhile, is an area of true beauty. It is one of the last natural dune environments in Italy, so plants and animals here are protected.

Embark on memorable day trips

You might come for the culture, but don’t underestimate the colourful beauty of Tuscany’s coast. Take the road towards La Spezia and you’ll be rewarded by rugged views of rainbow houses built into the cliffs.

If you can squeeze in a visit to fabulous Florence, there are large-scale attractions waiting to be explored. Walking through this spectacular city is like stepping back in time – you’ll see the terracotta-crowned Duomo and the regal Uffizi Gallery. The Accademia Gallery even protects the world’s most famous sculpture – Michelangelo’s David. 

With car rental at Pisa Airport, you can experience all this and much, much more. Reserve direct today.