Looking for immersive experiences in London? Well, good, because I’m the UK’s biggest independent immersive experience blogger. Whenever an immersive experience launches in London, I’m there no matter how weird it is. I have visited more than 100 so far!
Below are London’s best immersive experiences that I have tried and tested, organised by type. This article gets updated regularly, you’ll find 30+ immersive experiences here at all times.
Something needs updating? Give me a shout in the comments, or on Instagram (@travelwithpau).
🫖 Afternoon Tea /Wizard Afternoon Tea, spellbindingly delicious, with a smoky cauldron on the side.
🛏️ Overnight /Key of Dreams, a luxury 24 hour immersive theatre and fine dining experience you can stay in overnight.
This Month’s Highlight
Peaky Blinders: Underworld
The one everyone’s talking about right now. Set in the historic railway arches by London Bridge, Peaky Blinders: Underworld drops you straight into Thomas Shelby’s world, starting in a full recreation of the Garrison Tavern, where you can grab a drink before finding the hidden door down into the underworld beneath. From there you’re free to explore Garrison Lane, The Bookies, Chinatown, and the Small Heath Fairground, bumping into actors, solving puzzles, and stumbling into surprises along the way. Around an hour, fully immersive, and exactly the kind of world-building the show’s fans have been waiting for. Running 13 August 2026 – 3 January 2027, from around £25.
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with history, culture, and one of the best food and bar scenes I’ve encountered anywhere in the British Isles.
It’s also a city that wears its complex past openly the murals, the Peace Wall, the political taxi tours and that honesty makes it one of the most thought-provoking places I’ve visited. Come with an open mind, and you’ll leave with a genuine understanding of a city that has worked incredibly hard to reinvent itself.
Nowadays Belfast is my second home, as I own short term accommodation properties in the city. I’m constantly advising and engaging tourists so I do dare say I know a lot. So if you are visiting do me a favour and stay in one of them… wink, wink!
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
BELFAST ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is very walkable, with most attractions within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. For day trips out to Giant’s Causeway or Hillsborough Castle, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before heading home, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Belfast. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Wonderful Things to Do in Belfast
Visit the Titanic Belfast Experience
The Titanic Belfast museum is, without exaggeration, one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. Built on the exact slipway where the Titanic was constructed, it takes you through the full story of the ship, from Belfast’s industrial history to the night of the sinking and beyond. The building itself is stunning, designed to resemble the prow of a ship.
Book in advance, this sells out, especially on weekends. Book your Titanic Belfast tickets and include the SS Nomadic visit while you’re there.
Spot the Samson & Goliath Cranes
These two giant yellow cranes are Belfast’s most iconic skyline feature, you can see them from almost everywhere in the city. They’re a symbol of the city’s shipbuilding heritage and make for great photos, especially from the Titanic Quarter waterfront.
Buenos Aires is my city! I was born and lived 23 years in Buenos Aires before moving to London, and I still visit every year. This is my complete Buenos Aires bucket list, built from a lifetime of actually living there.
BUENOS AIRES ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Search flights on Skyscanner, I’ve flown to Buenos Aires from London at least once a year for the past ten years and it consistently finds the best deals. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a hassle-free arrival.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill after checkout, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Buenos Aires, including Recoleta, Palermo, Retiro, and Microcentro. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Hands down my favourite attraction in Buenos Aires is walking around Palermo Soho, named after New York’s own Soho and every bit as cool, cobblestone streets, old Spanish-style houses converted into independent boutiques and art galleries, and some of the best street art in the city covering the walls of Calle Serrano and Calle Honduras. Start from Plaza Armenia and make your way to Plaza Serrano. Stop for brunch at Mark’s Deli, Cocu Boulangerie or Pani. If street art is your thing, book a Palermo graffiti and street art walking tour.
3. Take Colourful Shots at Caminito in La Boca
Caminito is a street in La Boca filled with colourful painted houses, remains of the communal houses built by Italian immigrants in the 19th century. My mum is from La Boca and even lived in a conventillo (a “tenement house”, one of the shared houses these Italian immigrant families divided into single rooms, often with a whole family per room and shared kitchens and bathrooms) when she was a child. Book a La Boca guided walking tour to get the full history.
4. Watch a Boca Juniors Match
Football, or fútbol as we call it, is an obsession for many in Buenos Aires. Boca Juniors’ fans are so intense they’re called “la 12”, the 12th player on the field, and the stadium itself is nicknamed La Bombonera (“the chocolate box”), the story goes the architect’s friend gave him a box of chocolates and he realised the unusual D-shape he’d sketched looked just like it. Book the Boca Juniors match experience, or if there’s no match on, take the stadium tour instead.
5. Visit the MALBA Museum
MALBA, the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires, is my favourite museum in the city and very worth spending a couple of hours in, its permanent collection holds real Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera pieces alongside the big names of Latin American modernism, and the striking limestone and glass building itself was designed by a competition jury that included Norman Foster.
6. Catch La Bomba del Tiempo or La Grande
Every Monday for over 20 years, La Bomba del Tiempo, a band of more than 17 percussionists, has been delighting locals and foreigners with their beats. Book tickets for La Bomba del Tiempo at Ciudad Cultural Konex. Prefer Tuesdays? La Grande is the one to go for.
7. Spend Your Sunday in San Telmo
Sundays are the best day to visit San Telmo, Buenos Aires’ oldest barrio, dating back to the 1600s and originally home to dockworkers and immigrants whose conventillos are where tango itself really took shape. San Telmo Market is open every day but Plaza Dorrego Flea Market is Sundays only. Book a San Telmo and market guided tour if you want the full story behind it.
8. Try Empanadas
Empanadas are a go-to food item in Argentina, we eat them all the time, with friends, at home, as an appetiser for asado. My picks are La Cocina, La Morada, and De Rosa.
9. Marvel at the Teatro Colón
Teatro Colón is considered one of the ten best opera houses in the world, and National Geographic once ranked its acoustics third on the planet, beaten only by La Scala in Milan and Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, all down to the horseshoe shape of the auditorium. Buy tickets for a performance, or if you’d rather see it in daylight, book a small-group city tour that includes Teatro Colón.
10. Get Lost at Recoleta Cemetery
One of the world’s best cemeteries, you’ll be amazed by the mausoleums, sculptures, and detail of Recoleta Cemetery. It’s also the final resting place of Eva Perón, whose tomb remains one of the most visited spots in the whole city. Book a Recoleta Cemetery guided tour to get the full history behind the names.
11. Take a Tango Lesson
You can’t leave Buenos Aires without trying tango, it grew out of the working-class immigrant barrios in the late 1800s, a blend of African rhythms, Italian and Spanish folk music, and the European waltz, all mixing together in courtyards and general stores. Book Piazzolla Tango, a majestic live music and tango performance inspired by Astor Piazzolla’s work, you get a 30-minute tango class before the show.
12. Have Cocktails at Buenos Aires’ Quirkiest Bars
Go back to Prohibition-era through a telephone box at Frank’s, drink at a steampunk speakeasy at Victoria Brown, sip cocktails in a flower shop at Florería Atlántico, or get your fix in a New York pharmacy you enter through a subway carriage at Uptown.
13. Browse Books at Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid
El Ateneo Grand Splendid is considered one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, and that’s because it used to be a theatre. It opened in 1919, became one of Buenos Aires’ grandest cinemas in 1929 (the first in Argentina to screen sound films), and only became a bookshop in 2000. Tango legends like Carlos Gardel once performed here, and the original frescoed ceiling, ornate carvings, and crimson stage curtains are all still intact. The old theatre boxes are now cosy reading nooks, and the stage itself, where all those performances once happened, is now a café where you can sit and browse with a coffee under the fresco. Over a million people walk through it every year, so go early if you want photos without the crowds.
14. Eat Argentine Pizza
Our pizza is thick, cheesy to levels you could never have imagined, and it has olives on top, it comes from Genoese focaccia rather than Neapolitan pizza, a La Boca baker’s son is said to have invented “fugazzeta” by slicing a dry focaccia in half and stuffing it with cheese. Try El Güerrin, El Cuartito, Las Cuartetas, or Pirilo.
15. Stroll Through El Rosedal
El Rosedal is a rose garden within Bosques de Palermo, designed in 1914 by French landscaper Charles Thays, whose fingerprints are all over Buenos Aires’ parks, the roses, water fountains, white veranda, and bridge make it a genuinely pretty place for a wander.
16. Have Coffee at Café Tortoni
Café Tortoni is one of the oldest cafés in the city, around since 1858, tango legend Carlos Gardel had his own reserved window table, and writer Jorge Luis Borges was such a regular that there’s now a life-size wax figure of him sitting at his old corner table. Order “cafe con medialunas”, coffee and croissants, or chocolate con churros.
17. Visit La Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo
La Casa Rosada (Pink House) is the main government building in Buenos Aires, nobody agrees on why it’s pink, one story says the original paint was mixed with cow’s blood to weatherproof it against the humidity, another says President Sarmiento blended the red and white of the country’s two rival political parties to symbolise unity. Free guided tours run on weekends.
18. Eat Facturas at a Panadería
Facturas are pastries Argentines love, we buy them by the dozen, and some of the classic names are a lot more subversive than they sound, “vigilante” (the long straight one) is named after a policeman’s baton and “bola de fraile” (the round one) mocks a friar’s tonsure, both dreamed up by striking anarchist bakers in the 1880s poking fun at the police and the church. Try Confitería Dos Escudos, El Galeón, Santa Paula, La Argentina, or Ritz.
19. Visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes features art from renowned South American painters, as well as Monet, Degas, and Picasso, and it’s free, its 12,000-plus piece collection is the largest in Latin America, and the building itself used to be a pumping station for the city’s waterworks before it became a museum in 1933.
20. Photograph the Obelisco and Stroll Puerto Madero
The Obelisco is the most iconic monument in Buenos Aires, standing at the intersection of Avenida Corrientes and Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest street in the world at 16 lanes. Nearby, Puerto Madero is the refurbished port area, now one of the fanciest parts of the city, don’t miss the Puente de la Mujer (Woman’s Bridge).
21. Indulge in Dulce de Leche, Alfajores and Helado
First, you must try dulce de leche, similar to caramel but better, we eat it with everything. Ask for “panqueques con dulce de leche” or “flan con dulce de leche” for dessert, or grab alfajores (two round cookies with a filling) from any “kiosco”. For ice cream, try Freddo, Volta, Persicco, Rapa Nui, or Cadore.
22. Visit Palacio Barolo
Step into the grandeur of Palacio Barolo, an architectural masterpiece inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, it’s exactly 100 metres tall, one for each canto of the poem, with 22 floors split into Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven as you go up, and a lighthouse at the top that was visible from Montevideo when it opened in 1923 as the tallest building in South America. Book the day guided tour.
23. Explore Buenos Aires Off the Beaten Path
For hidden gems and lesser-known neighbourhoods beyond the usual Palermo/San Telmo/Recoleta circuit, barrios like Villa Crespo, Chacarita, or Colegiales, where locals actually live and hardly any tourists go, book a private off-the-beaten-path tour.
24. Try Yerba Mate
No trip to Argentina is complete without trying yerba mate, the bitter, grassy tea that’s less a drink and more a daily ritual here, shared from a single gourd and metal straw (bombilla) passed round a group. You’ll see it everywhere, in parks, on park benches, at football matches. Any supermarket or kiosco sells starter kits if you want to bring the ritual home.
Best Day Trips from Buenos Aires
Half-Day Trip to the Tigre Delta
Tigre is a riverside town on the Paraná Delta, the second-largest river delta in South America, a maze of waterways and stilt houses only reachable by boat, some of the islands still have no roads or mains electricity at all. It became a fashionable weekend escape for wealthy Buenos Aires families once the railway arrived in 1865, hence the old rowing clubs and grand villas you’ll still spot along the water today. It’s only about an hour from Retiro station, which makes it a lovely, easy half-day escape from the city without much planning needed. Book a Tigre Delta boat trip.
San Antonio de Areco and Estancia Day Tour
Step into the heart of Argentine culture with a visit to San Antonio de Areco, officially recognised by Argentine law as the National Capital of Tradition and still home to working silversmiths producing the same style of gaucho silverware their predecessors have made since the 18th century. Every November the town hosts the Día de la Tradición, one of the country’s biggest gaucho festivals, with horse parades and folk performances filling the streets. This tour includes a visit to a traditional estancia (ranch), a mouthwatering barbecue lunch (asado), and a folklore show. Book the San Antonio de Areco, Estancia and BBQ tour.
Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento
Escape the city with a ferry ride to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. I’ve actually taken this exact trip and loved it. Book a Colonia del Sacramento tour, or if you’d rather sort the ferry crossing yourself and explore independently, Ferryhopper covers the Buenos Aires to Colonia route.
Day Tour to Iguazú Falls
Experience the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls on a day tour from Buenos Aires, one of the largest waterfall systems in the world. It’s seriously one of the best trip experiences I’ve ever had. This tour includes flights and transport, so you get to explore the falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides in one day. Book the Iguazú Falls day tour.
Explore Campanópolis, the Magical Village
Discover the enchanting Campanópolis, a whimsical architectural wonder just outside Buenos Aires, built from recycled materials with fairytale-like buildings and labyrinthine paths. It’s the passion project of one man, businessman Antonio Campana, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness in the 1980s and spent the rest of his life building it by hand with a small group of local masons, no architects, no formal plans, just a self-taught vision of a medieval European village on what used to be a rubbish dump. Wander the 12 forest houses and you’ll find a windmill, a chapel, fountains, bridges, and even an old locomotive tucked among the trees. Book a Campanópolis visit.
Wine Tasting and Lunch at Bodega Gamboa
Indulge in Argentine wine at Bodega Gamboa, a boutique winery just outside the city, this tour includes a tasting session, a vineyard tour, and lunch surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Book the Bodega Gamboa wine tasting and lunch tour.
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires
I highly recommend staying in Palermo to make the most of your time in Buenos Aires, there’s an incredible amount of great restaurants, bars, and stores there compared to other areas.
Budget
My Mom’s Airbnb: My mum, who is an artist, recently bought and renovated this studio apartment in Palermo, it’s decorated with her own artwork throughout and it’s genuinely lovely. She’s a great host, and everyone who stays there raves about her hospitality above all else. Self-catering and cheap accommodation in a perfect location. Works well whether it’s just you travelling solo or a couple with a young child, a cot is available if you need one. She is really lovely and will help you with anything you need including money exchange. Best for: budget travellers who want a genuinely central location and a warm host.
Alfonsina Hostel: Right in Palermo Soho near Plaza Serrano, rated 9.0 on Booking.com and 5/5 on Tripadvisor. Clean, friendly staff, an outdoor pool, and buffet breakfast included, genuinely impressive for the price. Best for: solo travellers and backpackers who still want a bit of comfort.
Mid-range
CasaSur Palermo Hotel: A chic boutique hotel in Palermo Soho, known for its stylish design, comfortable rooms, and proximity to trendy cafes and shops.
Fierro Hotel Buenos Aires: A boutique hotel with spacious suites, a rooftop pool, and an excellent on-site restaurant in Palermo Hollywood.
Mine Hotel Boutique: A cozy, contemporary boutique hotel with stylish rooms, a garden pool, and a convenient location in Palermo Soho.
Loi Suites Recoleta: A comfortable hotel with spacious rooms, a lovely indoor pool, and an excellent location near Recoleta Cemetery and the neighbourhood’s cultural attractions.
Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires: A modern, affordable hotel with well-appointed rooms and a fitness centre, with multiple locations across the city.
Splurge
Alvear Palace Hotel: A luxurious, historic hotel in the upscale Recoleta district, with opulent rooms, a renowned spa, and impeccable service. It opened in 1932 in full Belle Époque style, French Baroque motifs inside and Second Empire grandeur outside, and it’s been a magnet for the famous ever since, past guests include Walt Disney, Sean Connery, and Antonio Banderas. It’s one of only four Argentine hotels on the Leading Hotels of the World list, and it’s officially a Historical Monument of the City of Buenos Aires. If you’re going to splurge on one hotel in this city, make it this one.
Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires: A five-star gem blending modern luxury with historic charm, spacious rooms, a rooftop pool, and an excellent steakhouse.
Buenos Aires as a capital city has the best food and the best restaurants you can find in Argentina, the offer is truly incredible. Rather than list a handful here, I’ve put together running Google Maps lists I keep adding to:
3 days is enough to hit the main highlights, Palermo Soho, San Telmo, La Boca, Recoleta Cemetery, and a proper asado dinner.
5 days lets you slow down, explore more neighbourhoods properly, and add one day trip, Tigre or Colonia del Sacramento are both easy half or full days.
7+ days is worth it if you want to add Iguazú Falls (it deserves its own day, ideally more), San Antonio de Areco’s gaucho culture, or Bodega Gamboa for wine, and still have time to just live like a local for a bit.
Getting To & Around Buenos Aires
You can really only get to Buenos Aires by plane, it’s pretty far south compared to almost anywhere else in the world (Uruguay’s the exception, you can reach Colonia in about an hour by ferry) and trains are generally not a thing in South America for long distances. Search flights on Skyscanner, I’ve been flying to Buenos Aires from London at least once a year for the past five years and Skyscanner always finds the best deals. For a reliable, hassle-free arrival, book a private transfer with WelcomePickups.
Once you’re here, Buenos Aires is a bustling and well-connected city with an extensive public transport system, buses (colectivos), the subway (Subte), and trains. You can now tap a contactless credit or debit card, or a phone wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, directly on the Subte and most buses, no need to sort out a SUBE card in advance if you’d rather not. If you’re really trying to cheap out though, get a SUBE card instead, at any subway station, kiosk, or Correo Argentino post office, and load credit onto it as you go (from cash), contactless card payments get converted at the official exchange rate, which is worse than what you’d get otherwise. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are widely available, though taxis usually cost more. I very much enjoy walking, the neighbourhoods are super pedestrian-friendly and full of charming streets to explore.
Caminito, Buenos Aires
Best Time to Visit Buenos Aires
The best time to visit Buenos Aires is during spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May). The weather is pleasant, and the city’s parks and streets are particularly beautiful in these seasons. Remember the seasons are flipped from the northern hemisphere, so December to February is Buenos Aires’ summer and can get properly hot and humid, while June to August is winter, mild by European standards but chillier than most visitors expect from South America.
Buenos Aires FAQs
What is the best time to visit Buenos Aires?
The best time to visit Buenos Aires is during the spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May). The weather is pleasant, and the city’s parks and streets are particularly beautiful during these seasons.
Do I need to speak Spanish in Buenos Aires?
While many locals speak at least some English in tourist areas, it’s helpful to know basic Spanish phrases for getting around, ordering food, and interacting with locals.
Is Buenos Aires safe for tourists?
Buenos Aires is generally safe for tourists, but it’s always best to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas. Avoid flashing valuables and be cautious when using ATMs. Stick to well-lit areas at night and use registered taxis or rideshares.
Can I visit Buenos Aires on a budget?
Yes. Buenos Aires is a great destination for budget travellers. Public transport is affordable, and there are many free or inexpensive attractions to explore, such as museums, parks, and historic neighbourhoods.
What’s the best neighbourhood to stay in?
Palermo is where I’d recommend staying to make the most of your time, there’s an incredible amount of great restaurants, bars, and stores there compared to other areas, and it’s well connected to the rest of the city.
How many days do I need in Buenos Aires?
3 days covers the main highlights, but 5 to 7 days lets you slow down, explore properly, and fit in at least one day trip, see How Long to Spend in Buenos Aires above for the full breakdown.
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Oh Venice. It is a city like no other. A car-free city where you can walk everywhere along canals, where the only transport is a boat or a gondola. Venice is unique, different from the rest of Italy, so romantic and charming that you’ll fall in love with it, guaranteed. Below a selection of things you must do when in Venice, as well as how to get there and where to stay, in this Venice bucket list.
VENICE ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Marco Polo Airport is a short hop from the city, from there you can take the Alilaguna water bus straight into Venice, a slow, scenic introduction to the city. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups if you’d rather have it sorted in advance. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / Venice is entirely car-free, the only way to get around is on foot or by vaporetto (the public water bus). No need to think about car rental here at all. If you’re planning to hop between islands or into Mestre, a waterbus and mainland bus pass works out cheaper than buying individual tickets each time.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill after checkout, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Venice, including near Santa Lucia Station and Piazzale Roma. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Venice Bucket List: 25 Things to Do
1. Wander the Narrow Winding Streets
If you do one thing in Venice, do this one. It’s free and it’s the one I enjoyed the most. The main streets of Venice may be packed with tourists but if you let yourself get lost you’ll wind up in quiet gorgeous streets where you’ll go like “Ah, this is why everybody talks about Venice”. If you’d rather have a local point you toward the quiet corners instead of finding them by chance, book a city highlights walking tour with a local guide, a good way to get your bearings on day one before you go off wandering solo.
Venice Bucket List
2. Drink an Aperol Spritz
The Spritz originated in Venice when it was part of the Austrian empire. It’s a version of the Austrian Spritzer, which is white wine and soda in equal parts. Today the spritz is the most common aperitif in Venice, and it’s drunk with Aperol, Campari, or Cynar. That’s what the orange, red and brown watery drinks you’ll see on the streets of Venice are about!
3. Have an Espresso at Caffè Florian in Piazza San Marco
Yes, of course an espresso in Piazza San Marco will be overpriced, but how expensive can an espresso be? Caffè Florian, founded in 1720, is one of the oldest cafés in the world, and sipping a coffee beneath its chandeliers while you gaze at San Marco Basilica and people watch is worth the price alone. It’s also really nice to walk the Piazza when the sun comes down and the lights come on.
Venice Bucket List
4. Watch Sunset at the Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge in Venice is one of those bridges you’ll never forget. If you watch sunset from here then you’ll also watch a sunset you’ll never forget! Fun fact: the stone bridge you’re standing on was built in the 1590s after the previous wooden one collapsed twice under crowds, and the winning design came from a competition that beat out Michelangelo himself. It still has 24 shops built directly into it today, the same way it’s had for 500 years.
5. Take a Gondola Ride
Of course a huge cliché but you can’t really skip this when in Venice, sorry. The rides come at a hefty price though, last time I checked it was 80 EUR for 40 mins, and the price goes up at night to I believe 120 EUR. Worth it, specially if you are trying to be extra romantic. You can also book a private gondola ride in advance here, roughly €145 for a private group of up to 5, note this is pricier than a shared ride since you’re not paired up with strangers, but it means the whole boat is just your group.
This bridge takes its name because it is where convicts would get the “last view of Venice” before their imprisonment, or execution. There is a nicer legend around this bridge which says that if a couple kisses while drifting under the bridge at sunset, as the bells of St Mark’s Campanile ring out, it will enjoy eternal love and happiness. The bridge is beautiful, by the way. Access to it is included in every Doge’s Palace ticket, so you’ll walk across it anyway if you visit the palace itself.
8. Tour the Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace was the seat of Venetian political power for over a thousand years, Gothic on the outside, gilded state rooms and Tintoretto ceilings on the inside. It’s where the Bridge of Sighs leads through to the old prisons, so the history and the drama come as one visit. Book a reserved entry ticket to skip the queue at the door.
9. Admire St Mark’s Basilica
This is one of the most iconic sites of Venice. It’s located in Piazza San Marco, and it’s known for its gorgeous mosaic and golden details. It is impressive to say the least. The queue to get in can be brutal in high season, so if you don’t want to lose half a morning standing outside, book priority access with a guided tour, you’ll skip the line and get the mosaics and history explained rather than just wandering through.
Venice Bucket List
10. View Venice from Above at St Mark’s Campanile
St Mark’s Campanile is the bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica. Climb the stairs to get a panoramic view of the city. Lines can get pretty lengthy in the summer, so arrive early or invest in a skip-the-line ticket.
11. Visit La Fenice Opera House
Make your time in Venice more memorable by visiting the La Fenice Opera House. Even if you don’t have the time to watch a performance, use this skip-the-line ticket with audio guide to admire its sensational avant-garde design. The name literally means “The Phoenix”, and it’s lived up to it: the theatre has burned down and been rebuilt three separate times, most dramatically in 1996 when a fire gutted it in under nine hours, leaving only the outer walls standing. It was rebuilt to the exact original design and reopened in 2003, so what you’re walking into today looks exactly as it did before the fire.
12. Create Your Own Carnival Mask
The wearing of masks in Venice is a tradition which goes back as far as the 12th century, and historians speculate that it was a response to one of the most rigid class structures in all of Europe. Eventually the wearing of masks was so ubiquitous that the government had to pass laws restricting it to the Carnival season. Instead of buying one, learn more about this tradition and make your own mask in this workshop.
13. Admire the View from Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Get an amazing view of Venice and its network of canals from the top of the famous spiral staircase of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. You can buy the entrance ticket in advance here, it’s cheaper than if you buy it on the spot.
14. Get Lost in Libreria Acqua Alta
Libreria Acqua Alta is touted as one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, and it’s easy to see why: bathtubs, gondolas, and even full-size boats are all stacked with books to protect them from the flooding the shop is named after. There’s a staircase made entirely of old hardback novels out the back, worth the visit for that alone. It’s free to wander in and browse.
15. Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection fills a Grand Canal palazzo, Peggy Guggenheim’s own former home, with modern art by Picasso, Pollock, and Kandinsky. Wander the airy rooms and the sculpture garden, then linger on the terrace for the canal views. Book a skip-the-line ticket.
16. Hear Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at the Church He Played In
Vivaldi was born in Venice, and the Church of the Pietà (also known as the Vivaldi Church) is where he actually played and composed, a genuinely different experience to hearing the Four Seasons anywhere else. The Vivaldi Baroque Ensemble performs it live in the same space, and it’s a lovely, low-effort evening to add onto a day of sightseeing. Book your Vivaldi Four Seasons concert ticket here.
17. Watch Sunset from Punta della Dogana
If the Rialto Bridge crowd isn’t your thing, Punta della Dogana, the tip of land where the Grand Canal meets the Giudecca Canal, is a quieter sunset spot with a wide-open view back across the water to Piazza San Marco. Grab a drink first and just sit.
18. Ride Vaporetto Line 1 Down the Grand Canal at Night
This is the closest thing to a gondola ride at a fraction of the price. Vaporetto Line 1 runs the full length of the Grand Canal, and taking it after dark, when the palazzos are lit up, is a genuinely romantic way to see the city for the price of a normal bus ticket. Grab a waterbus and mainland bus pass in advance if you’re planning to use the vaporetto more than a couple of times anyway, it works out cheaper than single tickets.
19. Get Gelato at Suso Gelatoteca
Suso Gelatoteca, tucked away near the Rialto Bridge, does some of the best gelato in Venice. Try the Manet flavour, chocolate, caramel and salt, if you only try one.
20. Lunch at Il Porticciolo, Hotel Cipriani
For a proper splurge, Il Porticciolo at the Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca Island is a seafood and oyster restaurant right on the water, with a Bellini basically mandatory. It’s a boat ride away from the main island, which makes it feel like even more of an occasion.
21. Dine at El Magazen
El Magazen in Cannaregio is a small, contemporary osteria that’s worth booking ahead for, especially if you’re celebrating something. Good for a proper sit-down dinner away from the tourist-menu spots near San Marco.
22. Rooftop Drinks at La Terrazza Bar
La Terrazza Bar at the H10 Palazzo Canova hotel has one of the best rooftop views in the city, right over the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge. Go for sunset if you can, it gets busy.
23. Lunch on the Terrace at The Gritti Palace
The Gritti Palace, a historic 5-star hotel right on the Grand Canal, is worth it for a lunch on its terrace alone, even if you’re not staying there. Between April and October you can eat al fresco with views over Punta della Dogana and the Santa Maria della Salute basilica, or dine year-round at its Club del Doge Restaurant. Another proper splurge, but one of the most iconic dining views in Venice.
24. Escape the Crowds at Giardini Reali
Right between Piazza San Marco and the water, the Giardini Reali (Royal Gardens) are a genuinely peaceful 5,000-square-metre green space that most tourists walk straight past. Commissioned by Napoleon in the early 1800s and reopened after a full restoration in 2019, it’s free to get in and a good spot to sit down for ten minutes when the crowds around San Marco get overwhelming.
25. Climb the Bell Tower at San Giorgio Maggiore
For the view every postcard is trying to capture, head across the water to San Giorgio Maggiore and go up its bell tower instead of St Mark’s Campanile. Entry to the church is free, and the lift to the top of the tower costs around €8, taking you up for a 360° view of St Mark’s Basin, the lagoon, and the whole skyline, with far fewer people up there than the Campanile.
Best Day Trips from Venice
Murano, Burano and Torcello
Both Murano and Burano are islands you can travel to as a day trip from Venice by taking a vaporetto (public ferry), and Torcello, Venice’s original settlement, makes a genuinely worthwhile third stop if you have the time. Burano would be my first choice, this cute little island with colourful houses just makes postcard-perfect photos, some consider it a slice of paradise. Murano is a must for glass lovers, you can get all sorts of hand-blown glass ornaments and even watch a demonstration. If you’re in Venice for a couple of days you can visit them separately, or take a tour that covers both Murano and Burano in half a day.
Verona
If you fancy a day away from the canals, Verona is about an hour from Venice by train, the mainland city of Romeo and Juliet, with a Roman arena still used for opera in summer, Juliet’s House and its famous balcony, and the medieval Piazza delle Erbe. Book a Verona, Sirmione and Lake Garda tour with a boat cruise if you want to combine it with Lake Garda in the same day, or check train times and prices on Trainline if you’d rather do Verona alone at your own pace.
The Dolomites
For something completely different to the canals, the Dolomites make a genuinely spectacular full day out from Venice, dramatic mountain scenery that feels like a different country entirely. Book a Dolomites day trip with Cortina d’Ampezzo and Lake Misurina, a 9-hour round trip with a driver, panoramic viewpoints, and a walk around the lake. It’s a long day, so worth it only if you’ve got the extra time in Venice to spare.
Venice Bucket List
Where to Stay in Venice
Venice is small and super touristy so staying there is expensive and even more so on weekends. To avoid the steep prices some people stay in Mestre, the first city on the mainland, and commute in. In my experience that’s not worth it. To get the real Venetian experience, I’d strongly recommend you stay in the city. Evenings and walking at night are the nicest thing about Venice and there is nothing better than knowing that you are a short walk back from your bed.
Budget Accommodation
Porta Orientalis Venice: This is where I stayed, standard and not too expensive, but the location is unbeatable. A quiet, colourful apartment in Cannaregio, close to Santa Lucia Station and a walkable stretch to Piazza San Marco. Best for: anyone who wants a genuine, affordable base without sacrificing location.
Mid-range
Palazzo Keller: Tucked down Calle del Pestrin, you could genuinely walk straight past this one without noticing it, which is exactly the appeal. It’s a converted 15th-century noble palace, some rooms still have their original ceiling frescoes, and the common areas keep the vintage floor tiles and chandeliers. Close enough to Piazza San Marco to walk over whenever you fancy, far enough down the side street to escape most of the crowds. Best for: anyone who wants a proper Venetian palazzo feel without the Splurge-tier price tag.
Splurge
Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel: A historic palazzo facing the lagoon, steps from San Marco, with a rooftop restaurant looking out over the water. One of Venice’s most iconic addresses. Best for: a genuine once-in-a-while, no-expense-spared Venice trip.
2 to 3 days is the sweet spot, enough time to wander without rushing, tick off the main sights, and still have a slow morning or two.
4 to 5 days lets you add a day trip to Murano, Burano, and Torcello without feeling rushed on the mainland side too.
A week or more only really makes sense if you’re using Venice as a base for the wider Veneto region, Venice itself is small enough that most people find 3-4 days genuinely enough.
Getting To & Around Venice
If you’re travelling from abroad, search flights on Skyscanner, Marco Polo Airport is just a short trip from the city. From the airport, the Alilaguna water bus is the most scenic way in, or book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups if you’d rather have it sorted in advance. If you’re travelling within Italy, the best way to get to Venice is by train, Santa Lucia station is right in the centre so you can most likely walk to your hotel from there.
Once you’re here, Venice is entirely car-free, the only ways to get around are on foot or by vaporetto. If you’re planning to hop between islands or into Mestre, a waterbus and mainland bus pass works out cheaper than buying individual tickets each time.
Best Time to Visit Venice
The best time to visit Venice is spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October), mild weather and thinner crowds than peak summer. Summer (June to August) is hot, humid, and busy. Winter brings acqua alta (occasional flooding) but also Carnival season and far fewer tourists, worth it if you don’t mind bundling up.
Venice FAQs
How many days do I need in Venice?
2 to 3 days is genuinely enough to see the main sights and get properly lost in the backstreets. Add a 4th day if you want to fit in Murano, Burano, and Torcello without rushing.
Is Venice expensive?
Venice is one of the pricier Italian cities, especially for hotels and anything right in Piazza San Marco. Staying in the city itself (rather than commuting from Mestre) costs more but is worth it for the evenings and night walks alone.
Do I need to book a gondola ride in advance?
You don’t have to, but booking ahead online works out considerably cheaper than hailing one on the spot, and guarantees you a slot rather than queueing.
Is Venice worth visiting if it’s touristy?
Yes. The main streets around Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge are genuinely packed, but wander a few streets away and you’ll find quiet canals and squares with barely anyone around, that contrast is part of what makes Venice special.
Can I visit Murano and Burano as a day trip?
Yes, easily, both are a short vaporetto ride from Venice, or book a half-day tour that covers both if you’d rather not sort the ferry timetables yourself.
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As someone who values style and comfort in equal measure, I’m always searching for footwear that’s versatile enough for travel, city walks, workdays, and everything in between. VIVAIA is a brand that kept popping up on my radar, marketed as sustainable, elegant, and genuinely walkable. When I had the chance to try out five of their pairs, I was curious: would they live up to the hype?
I tested them over a few weeks, rotating through different styles, weather, and occasions. Here’s my honest take on each pair. Make sure you keep reading for an exclusive discount!
What Makes Vivaia Different
Before getting into the individual pairs, it’s worth knowing what’s actually behind the “sustainable” label. Vivaia makes its shoes from recycled plastic bottles, spun into a breathable knit yarn, it takes around 6 bottles to make one pair of flats. They also work natural fibres like cotton and hemp into some styles. It’s not just marketing spin, it’s the reason the knit uppers on several of these pairs feel the way they do.
Best for: Anything! This are the comfiest shoes ever.
If comfort is what you’re actually shopping for, the Izabel is the one to go for. It combines the easy slip-on feel of a ballet flat with the support and sole grip of a sneaker, extra heel padding, real arch support, and a soft, roomy toe box that doesn’t dig in anywhere, which is exactly what other reviewers say too, several call them out specifically for having zero break-in period and genuinely supportive soles, not just a soft knit upper doing all the work. I took these out on a drizzly morning, my feet stayed dry, and I didn’t slip once. They’re breathable, cushioned, and machine washable, which makes them a dream for travel, and easily the pair in this lineup I’d reach for on a day where I know I’ll be on my feet for hours.
Fit: True to size Comfort: 10/10 Worth noting: Great for airports or days when weather is iffy Style tip: Works best with joggers, jeans, or anything casual-sporty
Best for: An easy everyday flat that still looks polished
The Silvie is a square-toe loafer with a barely-there 1cm heel, so it wears more like a smart flat than an actual heel. Same stretchy, sock-like knit upper as the rest of the range, with a wide toe box and a padded heel patch built in to stop any rubbing. Other reviewers consistently flag it as comfortable straight out of the box, no break-in period, even on days with a lot of walking.
Fit: Runs true to size, wide toe box Comfort: 10/10 Style tip: Works well with tailored trousers or a midi skirt for a polished-but-relaxed look
The Cristina lace-ups have a cool, Oxford-meets-sneaker vibe that’s ideal for adding polish without feeling overdressed. They’re lightweight, flexible, and sharp enough to dress up a simple outfit. However, fair warning: I got them in a lighter shade and they attracted dirt faster than I expected. They’re washable, yes, but if you’re not up for that maintenance, go darker as given how flat they are they can get dirty very quickly.
Fit: True to size Comfort: 8/10 Worth noting: Stylish but not made for messy terrain Style tip: Pair with tailored pants or monochrome outfits for a clean, modern aesthetic
These are a standout. The Nelly Mary Janes are made with Vivaia’s AdaptAll technology, which basically means they stretch and adapt to different foot shapes, ideal if you have bunions, wide feet, or just prefer a forgiving fit. The strap gives a cute, vintage feel, but the shoe itself is ultra-modern in comfort. I wore these for a full walking day with no socks, no blisters.
Fit: Extremely forgiving, true to size Comfort: 9.5/10 Style tip: Looks great with socks and a flowy dress, or cropped denim for a casual French-girl vibe
The Maville slingbacks are the most “fashion” of the bunch, but still surprisingly wearable. I was expecting them to be stiff or too narrow, but the knit upper stretches just enough, and the slingback actually stays put. I wore them out to dinner and walked a few city blocks comfortably, which I can’t say for most pointed shoes. They’re an easy way to elevate a basic outfit, and despite the knitted style they can look very elegant with a night dress.
Style tip: Pair with straight-leg jeans or a midi skirt for an effortless dressy look Fit: True to size Comfort: 8/10
Final Thoughts
VIVAIA really delivered on comfort, especially for a brand that leads with sustainability and style. All five pairs felt thoughtfully designed—nothing pinched or needed breaking in, which is rare. I especially loved how lightweight and breathable they were, making them great for warmer months and travel.
If you’re looking to invest in versatile shoes that blend fashion and function (without sacrificing your feet), these are genuinely worth a try.
Get $10 off all VIVAIA orders with code VPAULA Works site-wide, no minimum spend
Pisa is a small city, perfect to cover on foot in one day. Everyone knows it for its Leaning Tower, but there’s more to this beautiful Tuscan city than that one photo.
🚗 Getting Around / Pisa is small enough to walk in full, no need for public transport at all, it’s about 25 minutes on foot from the train station to Piazza dei Miracoli.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re doing Pisa as a day trip and don’t want to lug your bags around, no stress, there are luggage storage points near the station. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Pisa Bucket List: 16 Things to Do
1. Take a Walking Tour of Pisa
Pisa grew from a Roman colony into a powerful maritime republic long before that tower ever started leaning, and a walking tour is the easiest way to actually understand that history rather than just photograph it. A good one covers Piazza dei Cavalieri, the narrow streets of Borgo Stretto where Galileo Galilei was born, and Piazza delle Vettovaglie, an old market square the Medici turned into a Renaissance cloister. Book this 2-hour walking tour of Pisa.
2. Take Ridiculous Photos with the Leaning Tower
No shame here. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built in 1173 as the bell tower of the Duomo, and it was built on sandy ground, so it started leaning even before construction finished. After many attempts to correct it, some of which actually made it worse, engineers finally stabilised it between 1993 and 2001, settling the tilt at its current 3.97 degrees, officially stable for at least another 300 years. Book skip-the-line entry if you want to climb the 294 steps to the top, worth booking well ahead as slots are limited. The tower is the only monument in the square you pay for separately, and it has to be booked online in advance no matter what.
3. Explore the Duomo di Pisa
The Duomo is a medieval cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, construction began in 1064 under Buscheto, though it was Rainaldo who’s credited with the impressive facade of white and grey stone. Entrance is free, but you still need to collect a free timed-entry ticket at the office in the square, it’s not a walk-straight-in kind of free. If you’ve already bought a ticket to any other monument in the complex, that covers your Duomo entry too. If you’d rather skip the ticket office altogether, book a combined Leaning Tower and Cathedral entrance ticket in advance.
4. Visit the Baptistery
The Baptistery, right in the same square, is the largest in Italy, built around the same time as the Tower. Its double dome design gives it remarkable acoustics, every half hour or so a guardian sings a few notes and the reverberation is genuinely worth the wait to hear.
5. Wander the Camposanto
The Camposanto is the monumental cemetery within the same complex, built in 1277 to give the graves next to the cathedral a more orderly setting. Mathematician Fibonacci, of the sequence you learned in school, is buried here. It’s filled with frescoes, sarcophagi, and arches, quieter and far less crowded than the Tower itself. Money-saving tip: a combined ticket covering the Baptistery, Camposanto, and the Opera del Duomo and Sinopie museums costs around €10-11, far cheaper than paying for each separately, buy it at the ticket office in the square or book it online in advance.
6. Wander Piazza dei Cavalieri
A 10-minute walk from the Tower, Piazza dei Cavalieri is the university heart of the city, free of the souvenir shops that crowd Piazza dei Miracoli. Cosimo I de’ Medici had it redesigned by Vasari in the 16th century to headquarter the Knights of St. Stephen, a Tuscan naval military order, and the Palazzo della Carovana they trained in still has the most elaborate sgraffito facade in all of Italy. The statue in the centre of the square is Cosimo I himself, dressed as the order’s Grand Master with a foot resting on a dolphin, a nod to Pisa’s old maritime power. The Palazzo is now home to the Scuola Normale, one of Italy’s most prestigious universities. If you’re here on the second weekend of the month, there’s a genuinely good antiques and flea market too.
7. Explore the Orto Botanico
The Orto Botanico di Pisa is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, founded in 1544, and a quiet, green escape if you need a break from the crowds around the Tower, just a few minutes’ walk south of it. Expect a botanical school, tranquil lakes, greenhouses, and a proper mix of trees, flowers, and herbs. Entry costs around €6, but it’s free on the first Sunday of every month.
8. Admire the “Tuttomondo” by Keith Haring
A few metres from the station, in Vittorio Emanuele II square, you’ll find the Parish of San Antonio Abad, home to Tuttomondo, a mural by Keith Haring painted in 1989, just months before he died. It’s made up of 30 interlocking figures representing peace and harmony in the world.
9. Admire the Architecture Along the Arno River
Follow the river past Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina, a tiny Gothic gem right on the riverbank that once housed a thorn supposedly from Christ’s crown of thorns, brought to Pisa in the 1300s (the relic itself has since moved to the church of Santa Chiara, but the building’s still worth the stop for the facade alone), Ponte Solferino (lovely views of the colourful houses), Palazzo Agostini, also known as Palazzo dell’Ussero, with its curious 15th-century brick facade, and Piazza Garibaldi. Continue to Ponte di Mezzo, overlooking Piazza XX Settembre and Pisa’s City Hall, past Palazzo Gambacorti, a 14th-century Gothic building with a clock tower and loggia, and Palazzo Blu, the dusty light-blue palace that stands out from Pisa’s earth-toned streets. Entry to the permanent collection is free, which is unusually generous, while the temporary exhibitions run around €5 for adults.
10. Have Mind-Blowing Gelato
I had the best gelato of my life in Pisa, at Gelateria De’ Coltelli by the river. I saw so many locals having gelato there, not tourists, which is why I picked it, and it turned out to be genuinely delicious, they even do a pistachio vegan flavour, which is unheard of.
11. Eat and Shop at Borgo Stretto
After visiting the Arno, walk through Borgo Stretto, one of the liveliest and most picturesque streets in Pisa, where the true charm of the city comes out. It’s also full of good restaurants and cheaper than the more touristy areas near the Tower, and it’s where Galileo Galilei was born, keep an eye out for the marker.
If you need a bit of green space and free wifi at the same time, Giardino Scotto is a genuine oasis of tranquillity in Pisa.
14. Visit the Basilica of San Piero a Grado
Slightly outside the centre, the Romanesque Basilica of San Piero a Grado is a true pilgrimage site that few tourists ever find, away from the crowds of Piazza dei Miracoli, with beautiful mosaics and altars inside. Take extra-urban bus 10 (towards Livorno) or 20 (towards Calambrone) to get there.
15. Make Your Own Pasta
For something a bit different, book a hands-on pasta-making class at a traditional farmhouse in the Tuscan hills, about 15 minutes outside Pisa. You knead and shape the dough yourself, then sit down to eat what you made with the day’s sauce and a glass of local wine, optionally with a walk round the farm’s own vegetable garden first.
16. Kayak Along the River Arno
For a proper change of pace, get on the water itself with a kayak tour on the River Arno. An instructor teaches you the basics before you paddle past the Benedictine Monastery, Santa Maria della Spina, and Palazzo Blu, the same riverside landmarks from the Arno walk, just seen from a completely different angle, sunset slots are the ones to grab if you can.
Best Day Trips from Pisa
Lucca
Just 20-25 minutes away by train, Lucca is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips in Tuscany, a beautifully preserved walled city where you can walk, cycle, or just wander the ramparts that still fully encircle the historic centre. Trains run roughly every half hour, so there’s no need to book anything in advance, though you can check times and prices on Trainline. If you’d rather make the journey itself part of the day, book a self-guided bike ride from Pisa to Lucca along the Puccini Trail, a scenic route along the Serchio River, with the option to bike back or return by train.
Chianti Wine Tasting
If you want to see the Tuscan countryside without renting a car, a half-day trip into the Chianti hills covers vineyards, olive groves, and a proper wine tasting with the winery owner. Book a half-day Chianti wine tasting tour from Pisa or Lucca.
Florence
Florence is only about an hour away on a direct train, and it’s an easy one to do independently, no tour needed unless you specifically want a guide for the Uffizi or Accademia. Trains run frequently throughout the day from Pisa Centrale, book yours on Trainline. It’s usually the other way round, Pisa is normally the day trip people tack onto a Florence base, but it works both ways, and there’s a well-reviewed day trip from Florence covering Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano with lunch if you’d rather have it all sorted for you.
San Gimignano and Volterra
Nicknamed the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” for its skyline of medieval towers, San Gimignano is best combined with Volterra‘s Etruscan ruins and Roman theatre on a single guided day out, neither is easily reachable by public transport from Pisa, so this one’s really a Florence-based add-on rather than a straight Pisa day trip. Book a San Gimignano and Volterra day trip with food and wine departing from Florence, worth it if you’re already planning a Florence stop.
Where to Stay in Pisa
Budget Accommodation
Casa Carducci 33: A guesthouse on a quiet central street, just a 5-10 minute walk from the Leaning Tower, with a friendly host, easy self check-in, and consistently glowing reviews for cleanliness and location. Best for: anyone who wants a genuinely well-reviewed budget stay right in the centre.
Mid-range
La Lu Cozy Rooms: A guest house owned by Luisa, a gorgeous host. It has three tastefully decorated bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and air conditioning, plus a shared room where you can relax with a coffee, tea, or herbal tea and some genuinely good cookies. Vault ceilings, a blue Smeg fridge, and views over Piazza dei Cavalieri from the windows, just a 30-second walk away. The Leaning Tower is a 10-minute walk. Best for: anyone who wants a personal, hosted stay right in the centre.
Splurge
Grand Hotel Duomo: A comfortable, classic hotel practically overlooking Piazza dei Miracoli itself, about as close to the Tower as you can get without staying inside it.
One day and one night is genuinely perfect for Pisa itself. The city is small enough that you can walk all of it, no public transport needed at all, and it’s about 25 minutes on foot from the station to Piazza dei Miracoli. Add a second day if you want to fit in Lucca or a Chianti wine trip from the Day Trips section below, or pair it with Cinque Terre or a wider Tuscany road trip rather than treating it as its own multi-day destination.
Getting To & Around Pisa
Search flights on Skyscanner, Pisa has its own airport (PSA), just a short hop from the centre. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Italy, book your train on Trainline, it’s often the easiest way in, especially if you’re combining Pisa with Florence, Cinque Terre, or a wider Tuscany trip.
Once you’re here, Pisa is small enough to walk entirely on foot, no need for buses or trams unless you’re heading slightly further out, like to the Basilica of San Piero a Grado.
Best Time to Visit Pisa
The best time to visit Pisa is spring (April to June) or early autumn (September to October), pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds around the Tower. Summer gets hot and busy with day-trippers, since Pisa is such a popular add-on to Florence and Cinque Terre itineraries.
Pisa FAQs
How many days do I need in Pisa?
One day and one night is genuinely enough, it’s a small, very walkable city. Most people pair it with Florence, Cinque Terre, or a wider Tuscany trip rather than staying longer.
Do I need to book Leaning Tower tickets in advance?
Yes, especially to actually climb it, slots are limited and it does sell out in peak season. Book skip-the-line entry ahead of time rather than risk it.
Is Pisa worth visiting beyond the Leaning Tower?
Yes, the Baptistery, Camposanto, Piazza dei Cavalieri, the Orto Botanico, Keith Haring’s Tuttomondo mural, and the walk along the Arno are all genuinely worth the extra time, most visitors only see the Tower and miss the rest.
Enjoyed this article? Support my work by buying me an oat capuccino. Otherwise, do me a great favor of leaving a comment and following me on Instagram (@travelwithpau). Feel free to say ‘Hello!’ I don’t bite. And make sure you save the article for later on Pinterest!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a small commission, at no extra cost to you in order to help support my blog.
