Famous for its Leaning Tower, Pisa's medieval buildings overlooking the curving Arno offer some of Italy's nicest riverside views.

An excellent place to eat around Pisa is the food market on Piazza delle Vettovaglie, just north of Piazza Garibaldi and the Ponte di Mezzo, and off Via Domenico Cavalca on the west side of the market. Every day from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., food producers from the countryside offer their specialties for sale. You can save a few bucks and have a great picnic, perhaps along the riverbanks, with fresh produce and Tuscan specialties. The food market can supply bread, salami, fruit, and everything else you'll need for a picnic.

You can see Pisa's most famous attraction on a day trip from Florence. However, Pisa makes a perfect base for exploring most other destinations in northern Tuscany and, like Lucca, has a good selection of moderately priced hotels and restaurants.