Leaning Tower of Pisa

Due to the Leaning Tower of Pisa's global renown and unstable subsoil, tickets to the 12th-century tower are strictly limited and visits are timed; booking in advance is a must, and skip-the-line tickets are highly recommended.

All Pisa walking tours cover the Leaning Tower and often include other sites in Piazza dei Miracoli—including the sublime white-marble Pisa Baptistry, Duomo, and Sinopie Museum)—and Knights' Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri). Day trips to Pisa generally depart from Florence or Rome; travelers short on time can combine a visit to Pisa with whistle-stop tours of Lucca, Siena, and San Gimignano, all of which travel through the serene Tuscan countryside.

• Book skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid disappointment and dodge the long lines at the on-site ticket office.

• Opt for a private tour of Pisa, Tuscany, or the Cinque Terre to travel with a tour guide who will customize your itinerary.

• Children under the age of 8 are not permitted to ascend the tower.

• The Leaning Tower of Pisa is not accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located on the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), also known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) in Pisa, Italy. From Pisa Centrale train station, take the bus to the tower. From Florence, trains depart for Pisa about every 30 minutes and take 1 hour. From Rome, take a direct train to Florence and connect to Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is open daily from morning to evening, though exact hours differ from month to month. If visiting in June, expect large crowds and festive euphoria in equal measure—La Luminara di San Ranieri celebrations take place on June 16, illuminating the city with thousands of candles and fireworks.

While the tilted tower is undeniably the city of Pisa's most well-known attraction, the Tuscan cultural capital has plenty to offer curious visitors exploring on their own or with a guided tour. Stop by the Romanesque Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral; visit the beautiful and well-curated Cathedral Museum; and don't miss the lush Orto Botanico, supposedly the first university botanical garden in Europe.

Yes, you need a Leaning Tower of Pisa ticket to enter or climb the bell tower. However, you can see the tower and capture comedy selfies from the Piazza dei Miracoli, a grassy square that’s free for everyone to enter, so many travelers visit Pisa without buying a ticket for the tower.

Yes. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is situated in a public space accessible for all to enjoy without reservations or tickets. However, if you want to enter the tower, you’ll need to book a slot: timed tickets sell out fast, so book ahead. Alternatively, join a Leaning Tower of Pisa tour that includes admission.

Yes. You’ll need to buy a ticket combo with a time slot for Leaning Tower entry. Visits last about 30 minutes, plenty of time for reasonably fit people to climb to the top and back down plus linger at the top of the Leaning Tower to take in the view for a few minutes.

Reasonably. The Leaning Tower of Pisa stands over 190 feet (58 meters) tall and has over 250 slippery and uneven steps to the top. Children who will be under 8 at the end of the calendar year are not admitted, while people with cardiovascular or mobility issues should avoid the climb.

The best times to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa are evenings and early mornings when day-trippers are elsewhere. If you want to climb the tower, book the first time slot of the day for a quieter experience or just before sunset to get the best light for photography.

No. The Piazza dei Miracoli is wheelchair-accessible, so everyone can see the tower from outside and take photos, and there are wheelchair-friendly entrances to the cathedral, baptistery, and museums. However, travelers who rely on wheelchairs or have mobility issues cannot climb the Leaning Tower's stairs.