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Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa: The Complete Guide
Updated: May 10
You simply cannot visit Pisa, Italy without seeing the Leaning Tower. This iconic monument is known around the world; people flock to Italy to check it off their travel lists. Seeing the tower in person is a breathtaking experience; it’s every bit as magical in person as you think it will be.
There are some key tips to know before planning your visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I’ll cover all the details below so you can have the best experience while visiting the Leaning Tower. If you have more time here, check out my Pisa itinerary and other free things to do in Pisa!
So how do you make the most of visiting this iconic Italian monument? Let's dive into the details so you can plan your trip, climb to the top, and admire the architecture from inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well.
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Leaning Tower of Pisa Location
The iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in the Italian city of, well, Pisa. Along with the Cathedral of Pisa, the Baptistery, and the Camposanto, the Leaning Tower is situated in the Piazza del Duomo.
This is about a 20-minute walk from Pisa Centrale, the main train station of Pisa. You can check off several historical sites all in one location if you head over to the Piazza del Duomo.
Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Yes, you can go inside the Leaning Tower and climb the stairs all the way to the top! You do have to purchase tickets, which we recommend getting ahead of time. We found it well worth spending the money on a ticket to climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Be prepared for a workout though, it’s a lot of stairs and it’s a very narrow two-way staircase. People are going up and down the same staircase so it can get very crowded. Occasionally there are little alcoves big enough to stand in, like the one I'm in below.
If you feel like you need a break (it's a lot of stairs), take a breather in one of these alcoves. Most people are rushing up and down, so don't feel like you have to keep going if you're running out of energy.
There are also a few different floors along the route to the top that open up with space to take a break. On these floors, you can admire inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and snap photos of the views outside.
Leaning Tower of Pisa Tickets
You can see the outside of the Leaning Tower of Pisa for free. It is located in the Piazza del Duomo along with other sites. You do have to purchase tickets to go inside the Leaning Tower, but it is free to walk around the Piazza del Duomo.
I recommend buying tickets ahead of time if you know when you’ll be visiting the tower. You have to choose a time slot for when you want to go inside the Leaning Tower, as they only allow a certain number of visitors inside at one time (at the time of post).
You can buy tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa online or in person, but I wouldn’t risk waiting to buy them in person as they do sell out. These tickets also allow you to enter the surrounding buildings, such as the Baptistery and the Camposanto, both of which were worth seeing.
You can also opt for a guided tour of the cathedral and baptistry which includes entrance to the Leaning Tower.
Bag Check and Luggage
You are not allowed to bring any bags inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They do have a free bag check if you’re carrying a purse or day bag. Make sure you check your bag right before your time slot.
They won’t let you check it too early; they look at your ticket to see what time you’re scheduled to go inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Remember that you can only check small bags and backpacks.
Suitcases and large backpacks will most likely not be checked which means you won’t be able to climb the Leaning Tower if you're bringing these with you.
Lines and Time Slots
You will have to choose a time slot when you purchase your Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets. They only allow a certain number of people inside the tower at one time, so you will be prompted to pick a time that fits your schedule when you buy the tickets online.
Each time slot lasts about 30 minutes. Even though you have a predetermined time slot to climb the Leaning Tower, you will still have to wait in line outside. I recommend arriving about 10 to 15 minutes prior to your time slot and checking any bags you have with you.
The bag check is located next to the souvenir store and the ticket office. Then head over to the line right outside the Leaning Tower. The people waiting in line are all the people who have the same time slot as you. They do check everyone’s ticket, but thankfully this line moves quickly.
Leaning Tower of Pisa Tour
After buying tickets, heading over to Piazza del Duomo, and waiting in line for your time slot, you can now go inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa! You are given around 30 minutes to explore the tower and admire all the beautiful views at the top.
There is one small staircase inside, used both for climbing up and down. So be prepared for tight spaces next to other people. Once you reach the top, you will have an incredible view of the city of Pisa and Tuscany beyond.
We found it worth buying tickets to go inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa just to catch the views from the top. They’re absolutely breathtaking! You can also walk all the way around the top of the tower to get 360° views, including looking over the top of the Cathedral of Pisa and out over the Piazza del Duomo.
Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Now you’re ready for your visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa! You do not want to miss out on this iconic historical monument when you are traveling in Italy. I hope you enjoy climbing the Leaning Tower and admiring all the incredible views from the top.
Don’t forget to look down the center of the tower from the top. This view is not for the faint of heart! If you’re terrified of heights then this might not be the best activity for you, but if you can brave the heights, climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a very fun adventure!
The rest of Pisa also has so much to offer, so check out my ultimate Pisa itinerary for a fun day in this charming Italian city. If you’re traveling to Italy on a budget, check out some of the best things to do in Pisa as well!
Will you be climbing the Leaning Tower? Can you brave the heights? Let us know in the comments! It's now your turn to go inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa and see for yourself what this iconic Italian monument has to offer.
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