Pisa and the Tower

Yes, you have to have a specific time and then you are only allowed a certain amount of time at the top before you have to come down. I was there in 2005 with my wife and kids and it was really impressive. We had no problem buying tickets at the site, but if you're sure of the tour time you want it might be a good idea to get them in advance. As far as parking, we took a bus from the train station but I don't recall whether or not there was any parking near the tower. Be prepared, there are ALOT of steps going up and many are very worn and a little slippery so wear good shoes. Have a great trip!!! BTW Siena is terrific!

Kathy, we were there this past summer, they only allow 30-people, every 30-minutes. We used this website to make reservations http://www.opapisa.it/index.php?id=16&L=1&T=2. If you use this website make sure you print out your voucher. My cousin forgot hers and she had to pay twice.

Read this article on Pisa http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/198pisa.htm. There are parking lots with shuttle busses that will probably be a better bet than trying to find parking in the city.

I didn't go up the tower, but I do recommend you have a look at the duomo - it was one of the places that Galileo formulated some of his theories on motion (based on the swing of the bronze chandelier in the cathedral). It was worth the visit and small admission fee, and it has interesting Moorish influenced architecture.

Kathy, my advice would be to not go into the tower unless you have to. I did the same kind of thing you're doing (with car) and it's really fine just stopping for the quick photo op.

The best way to do this is to try to get there before noon. There will be parking near the tower that you can get fairly easily in the mid to late morning. The one I stopped at even had one of those nice toilets without the seat (just a hole in the ground). What fun!

I've driven to Pisa. There is plenty of parking, easy to find, and easy to get in and out (unlike much of Italy). It's a tourist trap so it's best to get in and out early in the day.

The must see sites are the tower, cathedral and baptistry complex. They are all really nice.

After you are finished with those and have taken your obligatory picture holding up the tower, run away as fast as you can. You can spend a day looking at all the souvenir shops but why would you?

Thanks, guys. Brad, do you agree with Jarod that I shouldn't bother going up the tower. I think I will just do a "drive by shooting" (shoot a picture and run) then head onward to Siena.