The Best Time to Visit Pisa in 2024: The Ultimate Guide

If the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the next thing you want to cross off your bucket list, you've done the right thing in looking into when the best time to visit Pisa is. You're not the only one who has the famous leaning tower at the top of their must-see agenda. In fact, around five million tourists flock to Pisa every year and mostly just to get a selfie of the 14th century slanting structure in the city's Piazza dei Miracoli which is, in reality, the bell tower of Pisa Cathedral.

Knowing how many visitors this Italian city receives annually may leave you wondering if there's any time of the year when the Piazza dei Miracoli will have fewer tourists. The answer to that is yes, there are times when the historic sights and spots like the Piazza del Duomo and other iconic attractions are a lot quieter.

There are also times of the year when the climate in Pisa is more agreeable to sightseeing than others so that's another factor you should take into account when planning your trip. Pisa is a city that likes its pomp and pageantry too and if you're hoping for a peaceful stay then there are times you might also want to avoid.

Getting to see the leaning tower probably isn't the only thing you'll want to do when you're in Pisa. The city's geographical location, just a few miles inland of Italy's northwest coast, means it's ideally situated as a base from where you can take a day trip to some of the country's best beaches. It's also ideal if you want to go touring the Tuscan countryside to do some wine tasting or exploring other cities like Florence.

You can't do any of those things if you choose to go during the wettest time of the year. Read through the seasonal sections below and you'll discover what the weather is like in each, when the major festivals are, and when the city has fewer visitors. Once you've digested all of that information, you'll know without a doubt when the best time to visit Pisa is for you.

When you visit Pisa you may find you need somewhere to store your bags. The simple and most economical solution to that problem is to use a Bounce luggage locker in Pisa. You'll find Bounce luggage lockers in easily accessed locations where you can drop off your stuff in complete safety.

When Are The Best Times To Visit Pisa

Summer

There are really only three words to describe Pisa in the summer and they are hot, hotter, and scorching. Any breeze that might have been heading inland from the coast will have gasped its last breath long before it reaches Pisa so there's very little respite from the constant heat.

Go out sightseeing unprepared for the blasts of UV rays you'll get wandering around Pisa's narrow streets or across the Piazza del Duomo and you'll end up with a piebald suntan that's ridiculously hard to get rid off.

Forget short sleeves, strapless tops, and shorts. The best clothes for women to wear in this type of heat are ankle-length, fine cotton skirts or dresses with long sleeves or lightweight trousers. For men, the best is a cover-up cotton shirt teamed with lightweight chinos or cargo pants.

June, July and August are really not the right time to be exploring Pisa in strappy sandals either, whether you're male or female, as you'll end up with stripey, blistered feet that are unbearably painful unless you go barefoot or wear slippers. The best type of shoes to wear are ones that cover the top of your foot and are made of a breathable fabric such as deck shoes or espadrilles.

While summer in Pisa may be hot, it’s also a somewhat quieter time tourist-wise. A lot of people, including most locals, prefer to be by the coast, and understandably so. That means the historic center, namely the Piazza dei Miracoli where the major attractions like the Duomo di Pisa, the Pisa Baptistery, and the Leaning Tower are, is not so crowded.

If you are in Pisa in the summer and you want to take a stroll along the Arno River, go to see the famous monuments, or photograph the city's Gothic architecture, the best thing to do is take a leaf out of the locals' book.

Go out early before the sun reaches its zenith, have the best brunch in Pisa then head back to your hotel for an afternoon siesta. You'll find exploring the city in the cooler hours of the evening a lot more comfortable than sweating it out during the day.

What Not To Do In Pisa In The Summer

If you can't abide classical music and opera don't go anywhere near the Piazza dei Miracoli or the Leaning Tower of Pisa after nine in the evening between 27th of June and the 4th of July. Those are the dates of the Musica Sotto La Torre or the Music Under The Tower festival when there are regular performances of classical music and opera on the Campo Santo so you won't be able to escape it.

Average High Temperatures in Summer In Pisa

June– 81°F (27°C) July - 86°F (30°C) August - 86°F (30°C)

Average Low Temperatures in Summer In Pisa

June– 59°F (15°C) July - 63°F (17°C) August - 65°F (18°C)

Fall

Fall in Pisa is a strange season when you really won't know what to expect weatherwise. No week through September, October, and November is likely to be the same. You could experience days that rival the height of summer for heat and others where you'll note a definite chill in the air.

Head to this city during the fall trimestre and there's one thing you will need to be prepared for because at some time during your stay you're almost guaranteed to have a rainy day in Pisa. There's pretty much no escaping it. Fall in Pisa is one of the rainiest times of the year so expect precipitations. They might be torrential downpours accompanied by thunder and lightning or they could be light showers that barely dampen the ground.

While the sun will put in an appearance, the humidity will be high so finding anywhere with air-conditioning, like the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, one of the best museums in Pisa, is a good idea. 

What Not To Do In Fall In Pisa

Plan on visiting Duomo di Pisa, Pisa cathedral, during the Anima Mundi Festival if sacred music grates on your nerves. The Anima Mundi Festival is held from mid-September onwards so if you're sightseeing then take earplugs.

Average High Temperatures in Fall In Pisa

September – 79°F (26°C) October - 70°F (21°C) November - 61°F (16°C)

Average Low Temperatures in Fall In Pisa

September – 57°F (14°C) October - 52°F (11°C) November - 43°F (6°C)

Winter

While the winter months of December, January, and February in Pisa are decidedly cooler than the rest of the year, Pisa does, in general, have mild winters. That said though, winter is not a peak season so there are fewer tourists and you may find some good travel deals.

It's the time of the year when you can view the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the leaning tower, or walk across the Piazza dei Miracoli without having to push your way through the crowds.

After falling into a sleepy fall hibernation through November, Pisa starts to come alive as December appears on the calendar. Like most major cities, Pisa likes to dress up for the festive season. They like to stretch out the annual celebration too as it continues through to the 6th of January. Illuminations, nativity scenes, Christmas concerts, and traditional nativity markets galore - you name it and Pisa will have it.

Even the Leaning Tower, the Pisa Baptistery, and Pisa Cathedral get adorned for the festive season so that creates a super special evening atmosphere in the Piazza dei Miracoli you won't experience at any other time of the year.

What Not To Do In Pisa In Winter

Go out without a jacket and an umbrella. It might look like a sunny day, but looks can be deceiving. It's not the time of the year for outdoor activities and if you're planning to go out on a day trip, there's no guarantee the weather won't change. 

Average High Temperatures in Winter In Pisa

December – 54°F (12°C) January - 52°F (11°C) February - 55°F (13°C)

Average Low Temperatures in Winter In Pisa

December – 37°F (3°C) January - 26°F (2°C) February - 26°F (2°C)

Spring

Spring in Pisa is when you need to put your running shoes on as that's when all the Latin lovers are wandering along the city's well-preserved Renaissance walls and down its cobbled streets looking for romance.

Okay, joking and Latin lovers aside, spring is a beautiful time to visit this Italian city even though it's classed as peak season. The average temperature even in May doesn't go much higher than 72°F which is perfectly bearable for whatever activity you have in mind whether that's viewing the iconic landmarks or heading out on one of the best hikes in Pisa.

If you're not a fan of hot weather then the earlier you go in the season the better. March and April are still relatively cool and while it doesn't rain often, you could experience the odd shower and you may need to wear a light jacket or sweater when you go out in the evening to stave off the nighttime chill.

When you're planning on going in May you can start to think about packing light as it'll have started to warm up and you won't need so much clothing. If the weather has a wobbly and does something out of the norm, you can always go shopping in Pisa. That would be a good excuse to purchase that Italian designer jacket you've always wanted and not feel guilty about splashing the cash.  

Spring in Pisa is not an off season so while the climate may be ideal for sightseeing, you won't be wandering around a deserted city. You could find yourself among the crowds in the Piazza del Duomo trying to avoid snapping photos of the backs of people's heads as you attempt to get the leaning tower or the Pisa Baptistery into focus. 

Still, as the old saying goes, strangers are just friends you've yet to meet, so try not to worry too much about capturing folk you don't know in your photos. You can always invent stories about them when you get home.

What Not To Do In Pisa In Spring

Don't spend all your time in the main square. It's a tourist hotspot at this time of year when tour groups are common so you'll get tired of the crowds pretty quickly. The restaurants and cafes are more expensive around the Piazza del Duomo too so you'll spend more money.

Average High Temperatures in Spring In Pisa

March– 59°F (15°C) April - 65°F (18°C) May - 72°F (22°C)

Average Low Temperatures in Spring In Pisa

March– 41°F (5°C) April - 45°F (7°C) May - 52°F (11°C)

Conclusion

There's no debating the fact that Pisa is an alluring city no matter what time of the year you visit it. Its historic landmarks, its fascinating museums, and its unique atmosphere all combine to make it totally unforgettable. No matter whether you go to Pisa in the spring, summer, fall or winter, you'll fall in love with this incredible Tuscany city and be planning to return before you've even got as far as Pisa Centrale Train Station.