Timed Entry
You must book a specific time slot to climb; if you miss your window, you cannot enter.
Description
The Leaning Tower is perhaps the world’s most famous architectural "accident." Originally intended to be a simple bell tower for the nearby Cathedral, the soft subsoil caused it to begin tilting during construction in the 12th century. Today, it stands as a testament to medieval engineering and the successful modern efforts to keep it from falling over entirely.
Visiting the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) allows you to see the tower alongside the stunning Duomo and Baptistery. Climbing the 251 steps is a disorienting, thrill-inducing experience where you can actually feel the tilt as you spiral toward the belfry.
Highlights
- The surreal experience of climbing the slanted, marble spiral staircase.
- The intricate Romanesque columns and arches of the exterior.
- Capturing the classic photo of "holding up" the tower.
Location
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Piazza Del Duomo, 56126 Pisa Pisa, Italy
Know Before You Go
Strict Bag Policy
No bags of any kind (including small purses) are allowed inside the tower; free lockers are located in the nearby yellow building.
Age Limits
Children under 8 are strictly prohibited from climbing for safety reasons.
The Climb
It is 251 steps up a spiral staircase of worn, slick marble; it can feel disorienting due to the tilt.
Photo Classic
The best spot for the "holding the tower" photo is from the grass or the low stone walls surrounding the Square of Miracles.
Example Itinerary
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12:00
Take the Train from Florence
Board a regional train at Santa Maria Novella station for a scenic, 1-hour ride through the Tuscan countryside. -
13:30
Walk through the Piazza del Duomo
Enter the majestic, walled Cathedral Square to see the gleaming white marble complex standing out against the green grass. -
14:30
Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Take the classic optical-illusion photo "holding up" the monument, and climb its spiral stairs to look out over the city. -
18:30
Arrive at a Trattoria by the Arno River
Head south toward the riverbanks by nightfall to enjoy an authentic Tuscan dinner away from the main tourist crowds.
