Pisa holidays

The Piazza dei Miracoli area, which surrounds Piazza del Duomo and the Leaning Tower, is home to a scattering of market stalls. Everything from souvenirs to clothing is offered for sale around here, and if you venture a little further from the main tourist attractions, you’ll find plenty of bargains.

If you’re after your high street favourites, head to Corso Italia. This shopping street plays host to household names like H&M, Victoria’s Secret and Foot Locker. You’ll spot a few Italian brands in the mix, as well.

Lots of Pisa’s most prestigious shops can be found on Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo, so these streets should be your go-to if you’re looking for designer goodies. There are loads of cafés and restaurants in the line-up, too, serving traditional Italian fare and homemade gelato.

If you fancy a quieter evening out, make a beeline for Pisa Marina. It’s a 15-minute taxi ride outside of the city centre, but it’ll be worth it if you want to escape the crowds. Evenings here are best spent eating seafood in an ocean-view restaurant, then washing it all down with drinks in a wine bar overlooking the marina.

The streets surrounding the University of Pisa are speckled with bars that attract a livelier crowd. Stroll along the riverside, and you’ll come across plenty of pubs and cocktail spots. Plus, there are a whole host of takeaways on hand to keep late-night hunger at bay.

This pasta recipe is Tuscany’s national dish, and one of the most popular in the region, so you’ll find plenty of restaurants offering it up. The tasty meal consists of ribbons of pasta topped with tomatoes and slow-cooked wild boar.

If you fancy a taste of traditional Pisa, this rustic cake should be near the top of your must-try list. Dark chocolate, rice, pine nuts and forest fruits come together inside a pastry crust to form a rich, sweet tart. It’s traditionally made at home during the holidays, but you’ll find it in bakeries across the city.

As one of Italy’s speciality drinks, limoncello has a spot on almost every bar and restaurant menu in Pisa. So it would be rude not to try some while you’re there. This lemon liqueur is most often served chilled in a shot glass, but if you’d rather savour your drink, you can order a limoncello-infused cocktail, instead.

No trip to Italy would be complete without a few scoops of gelato. Pisa’s peppered with gelato parlours, so you won’t have to look hard to get your hands on some. From all-time favourites like chocolate and strawberry to more unusual options like rose and pistachio, there’s enough flavours to leave you spoilt for choice.

If you like garlic bread, you’ll love fettunta. This simple dish is often served up as a starter in Pisa’s restaurants. It consists of a slice of thick, fresh bread, toasted and doused in garlic and local olive oil.