GETTING AROUND IN Pisa

Pisa's historic centre is almost entirely enclosed by 12th-century fortifications. The city is laid out on a roughly square plan, with each side measuring around one and a half kilometres. The river Arno divides the city into two parts which are known to locals as Tramontana, to the north, and Mezzogiorno, to the south.
Pisa Centrale station is a major railway junction located on the southern edge of the city centre.
Approximately one and a half kilometres to the south is "Galileo Galilei International Airport", linked to the central station by bus.
The historic centre can easily be reached from the airport and the central station by bus (LAM Rossa) or by taxi. Frequent buses connect the centre to the various town districts, particularly to the eastern outskirts where the new modern hospital of Cisanello is located (LAM Blu).
The tourist area of the Piazza dei Miracoli, with the world-famous Leaning Tower, is located at the north-west corner of the historic centre. Just a few hundred metres further north is the Via Pietrasantina Park & Ride site, where all tourist coaches are required to stop.
While there are excellent accommodation options throughout the city centre and on the outskirts, the majority of the hotels and other accommodation facilities (residence, guesthouse, bed & breakfast) are concentrated in the central station and leaning tower areas.
Visitors to the city can leave their cars, free of charge, in one of the park & ride sites and easily reach the historical centre on foot or by shuttle buses C and E. Those who have neither the time nor the desire to walk around can use the many paid car parks near the Restricted Traffic Area (ZTL). The ZTL is accessed through electronic barriers fitted with cameras: all cars passing through are identified and those who fail to provide the necessary authorisation are automatically fined (further information). People with special needs can obtain a temporary permit to access the ZTL by car by diallng 800 086540.

The compact size of the city, the concentration of the places of interest in the historic centre and the vast pedestrian areas, make Pisa ideal for sightseeing on foot. The bicycle is an excellent alternative, long used by locals and by the many university students. The success of bike rentals in recent years attests to its growing appeal with tourists as well.

Boat trips (available from May to October) offer visitors the opportunity to admire Pisa from an unusual and interesting viewpoint. There are three main routes: the Lungarni Tour, following the stretch of river that crosses the historical centre, the Lungarni and Nature Tour, that extends westwards to San Rossore Park, and the Lungarni, Nature and River Mouth Tour, which includes the mouth of the river Arno.
City Sightseeing (open-top double-decker bus service operating from April to October) offers a tour of the historical centre running from the riversides and the Piazza dei Miracoli, and a route that reaches as far as San Rossore Park.
Another opportunity to see the city centre is provided by the fun train departing from the Piazza Arcivescovado, just a few steps from the Leaning Tower (for bookings call (+39) 050 533755). Also worth a try are the traditional horse-drawn carriages with driver based in the Piazza dei Miracoli.