11 Best Hotels in Pisa Tuscany

The former thriving Roman port of Pisa, once a maritime power that rivaled Venice and Genoa, is best known for an architectural project gone wrong. However, the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is just one of this compelling city’s many gorgeous sights. With a picturesque town center, Romanesque architecture, and a vibrant cafe and bar scene, Pisa has a lot to offer. The best hotels in Pisa, Tuscany, were pretty much the same, balancing an enviable portfolio of luxurious, traditional hotels and smaller boutique ones, and even guesthouses and B&Bs.

What’s more, they offered all the creature comforts we required for a memorable Tuscan holiday. If that wasn’t enough, they were the perfect base to explore the coastline along the Ligurian Sea, which is hardly 20 minutes west of the city. To that end, here’s a guide to staying in Pisa in the Province of Pisa in the very heart of Tuscany, Italy.

7 Rooms

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We’re beginning with 7 Rooms, a lovely B&B located in the heart of Santa Maria in the lovely old town area of Pisa, just north of the Arno River.

There were a lot of things we loved about the B&B, starting with the fact that it has a sun terrace that doubles as a breakfast space every morning. The sun-kissed space has many table setups under pergolas, offering the perfect balance of sun and shade as we soaked in scenic views of Pisa first thing in the morning. Of course, the continental breakfast was an absolute highlight and the perfect way to start the day. After a long day of sightseeing, we’d be relaxing in the shared lounge area.

We loved the spacious and modern rooms at this B&B, all of which came with plush beds, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and complimentary bath products. Some rooms, like ours, even had balconies which looked out over the charming lanes of the old town of Pisa. Rounding things up were the private parking and free Wi-Fi available here.

Anna Teresa Luxury B&B

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We found the perfect combination of style and comfort at Anna Teresa Luxury B&B, which sits right in the heart of San Francesco, just north of the Arno River, right down from it, as a matter of fact. The modern digs were designed keeping our comfort in mind and were all equipped with the latest technology. These include air-conditioning, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and plush ensuite bathrooms. However, what we loved the most was that all rooms had unique touches, where we’d find thoughtful extras like chocolates, cookies, fruit, and wine stocked in our rooms. All in all, they made for a great indulgence after a long day.

We loved the hotel’s amenities, the best of which were the Italian or continental breakfasts, which were ideal for fueling up before we stepped out for an entire day of exploring. There’s also free Wi-Fi all over the B&B, as well as a hot tub, where we’d be after a long day of walking around sightseeing.

 Eliopoli Beach Hostel 

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If you’re looking for a fun-filled yet value-for-money stay on the beach not far from Pisa, then the Eliopoli Beach Hostel is perfect. It’s also the best hostel for partying in and around Pisa, so if you’re looking to make new friends and live it up in the city, then this is where you should be. It comes in hot with a prime seaside location and its own bar, making it a favorite with not just travelers but even locals. We had the choice of a variety of dorms, double, and family private rooms. While the former are co-ed, male-only, and female-only ones with shared bathrooms, and numerous hostel dorm options, including male-only and female-only dorms!

Since it was entirely renovated in 2023, we were thrilled with the modern amenities and vibes. There are many places to socialize, including the lush gardens out front, the amazing bar, and even the terrace, which was a great place to lounge as well as socialize. What makes it all the better is that all three are open to the public, too, so we could not only meet but also mingle and swap stories with locals. The restaurant served some really amazing food and was open for both breakfast and dinner. Oh, and the beach was a two-minute walk!

Hotel Bologna

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It might not appear like it’s anything special, but Hotel Bologna is a fantastic mid-range hotel with we needed. On top of that, it had a great location just south of the Arno River in the neighborhood of San Martino.

It sits in a traditional Tuscan structure with wooden shutters, but the interiors are all warm and understated. The rooms and suites were all very spacious with wooden floors, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows with double curtains. Moreover, they came with comfy beds, seating spaces with sofas, flat-screen TVs, work desks with a mirror overhead, and ensuite modern bathrooms. If that wasn’t enough, the rooms also have room service, coffee/tea-making facilities, and minifridges.

The complimentary amenities at this hotel include an area shuttle and a fantastic continental breakfast buffet. There’s even a reading room, a garden terrace, and a relaxed bar, where we’d enjoy drinks before heading out to explore Pisa’s nightlife. Finally, bike rentals and parking are available for a fee.

Relais dei Mercanti B&B and Suites

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Best value for money. We were looking for value-for-money apartments to stay in Pisa, and the Relais dei Mercanti B&B and Suites fit the bill. Tucked right next to a charming square that’s a 10-minute walk from the Leaning Tower, these apartments were perfectly located for us to be able to explore Pisa at our own pace. Moreover, the apartments sit in a refurbished 13th-century structure, adding charm on the outside and creature comforts on the inside.

Offering free Wi-Fi throughout, the extended-stay hotel has a slew of simple yet delightfully modern rooms and apartments. We had the choice of double and triple rooms, and even one and two-bedroom apartments. Not only were they all air-conditioned, spacious, and clean, but they all came with classic decor and mod-cons. These included en-suite bathrooms, satellite flat-screen TVs, and dining areas. If you’re looking for something for a couple but a bit more romantic, then the deluxe double room and the small, one-bedroom apartment even have whirlpools.

Hostel Pisa Tower

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Solo travelers will love Hostel Pisa Tower, which sits practically right next to the Leaning Tower! Not just that, but we loved the overall social vibe of the hostel, which allowed solo travelers like us to be as involved or non-involved as we wanted to be.

We had the choice of multiple air-conditioned dorms and private rooms, which came with shared, immaculate bathrooms and ensuite private ones, respectively. Not only were the rooms air-conditioned and heated, but they were all decked out in bright, vibrant designs inspired by Pop Art. Moreover, they all had free Wi-Fi.

The common spaces and amenities at this hostel blew our minds. Firstly, there was a shared living room and a library with a sofa and a fireplace. It was the perfect place for quiet conversations or “me” time, no matter the time of day. When we were in the mood to mingle, the games room with a PlayStation console and board games was where we’d be. Plus, the hostel also had vending machines, a terrace, and barbecue facilities. The best bit was that the bus stop with links to link to Pisa Train Station and Airport was hardly a two-minute walk.

Bagni di Pisa Palace & Thermal Spa

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No hotel does luxury wellness in Pisa quite like Bagni di Pisa Palace & Thermal Spa. It’s not surprising, considering the Grand Duke of Tuscany chose this very place as his summer residence in 1743. The location also couldn’t be better: we were less than a 10-minute drive north of Pisa’s city limits.

“Wellness and luxury in the heart of Pisa? An Italian vacation doesn’t get any better than that!”

WOW Travel

Today, this five-star spa resort has every wellness amenity we could dream of. Not only did it have a sun-kissed outdoor pool surrounded by greenery and lounges, but it also had a large spa with natural hot springs. In fact, the highlight of the spa was the “grotto” with a lovely pool carved out of stone. transporting us back in time. There was also a steam bath, a sauna, and a variety of wellness therapies. A fitness center and three restaurants that served Tuscan specialties and had Leaning Tower views wrapped up the amenities here.

We loved the choice of modern, air-conditioned rooms, all of which came with marble and parquet floors. What’s more, they had a boatload of creature comforts, such as swish bathrooms with soft bathrobes and high-end bath products, minibars, LCD TVs, plush beds, and more. Our room was amazing as it even had original frescoes and superb views of the Leaning Tower.

NH Pisa

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Best location. Smart, modern, stylish, and comfortable all at once, NH Pisa was the perfect base for us to explore not just Pisa, but the rest of Tuscany too. That’s because it sat right across from the main entrance to Pisa Centrale railway station, from where trains to Tuscany and beyond started. Did we mention that the Pisa Mover, an automated shuttle train, runs every 10 minutes between Pisa Centrale and the airport? Talk about an excellent location!

Formerly the Cavalieri, the hotel went through many refurbishments to become its current version. We were greeted by framed potted plants at the entrance, with a sleek and comfy reception. Not only was the service excellent, but the hotel’s garage offers paid but secure parking. Conference facilities aside, the ground-floor buffet breakfast was excellent, topped by impeccable coffee. Finally, a small bar led to the mezzanine floor with a vending machine with snacks and drinks.

Choose from 100 modern and comfy rooms and suites, some of which, like ours, even came with small balconies. The best of the lot are the Family room and suites and the Superior doubles, of which the former are arranged on two levels. Nevertheless, they all have mod-cons, sleek lighting fixtures, and modern bathrooms with large fluffy bathrobes, with our superior double room even featuring floor-to-ceiling windows.

Castelfalfi

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How would you like to stay in a castle that’s also a vineyard? Located less than an hour from Pisa, the working estate Castelfalfi sits in the heart of the unspoilt Tuscan countryside. Think a borgo (village), olive groves, vineyards, and a hotel, spa, and golf course, of course. However, this centuries-old medieval estate is having its very own Renaissance moment, with tons of opportunities like bike tours, wine tastings, and leisurely strolls.

The nearly 150 rooms and suites sit in the original tobacco factory, which is one of two main five-star structures. A refresh of the digs had us choosing between more traditional interiors at the warehouse and the stone-colored modern ones with hues inspired by Tuscany’s landscape. If you’re looking for something special, we highly recommend the new Signature Suites.

That said, it’s the amenities and activities here that are the real ticket. Besides a new kids’ club and adventure park with archery, a climbing wall, and zip lines, the vineyard hotel had four drinking and dining options on the property. What’s more, they served everything from Italian to Mediterranean and even seafood. We loved the medieval castle, church, and peaceful garden at the borgo and the long list of activities: fishing, cooking classes, falconry, and more. The pinnacle, though, was getting massages at the serene RAKxa Wellness Spa, followed by a swim and lounge at the granite-lined indoor/outdoor heated infinity pool, which boasted breathtaking hillside views.

Safestay Pisa Centrale

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Best hostel: It might not be the most creative name, but Safestay Pisa Centrale is easily the best hostel to stay in Pisa. The location on Via Filippo Corridoni couldn’t be more perfect: Pisa Centrale railway station is right next door, while the Amo riverfront is a mere 10-minute walk away. Plus, the San Martino location meant that we were well-connected to the main city center of Pisa.

It was really the amenities here that drew our attention. For one, there was a really amazing on-site cafe that doubled up as a common room, complete with a guitar and a piano for mingling. What’s more, there were loads of board games, ping pong, and foosball, all of which furthered the social atmosphere. Topping everything was the organized weekly events roster, which meant that we were having tons of fun within the hostel. Italian Pasta nights, Aperol Spritz every Saturday —Safestay has it all!

If that wasn’t enough, we had the choice of modern, basic but nice-looking and immaculate dorms, which included co-ed and female-only dorms of different sizes. What’s more, they all came with modern ensuite bathrooms. Did you know that Safestay Pisa Centrale also has many private rooms? Yes!

Palazzo Cini

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Best overall. Sitting at the top of the list is Palazzo Cini, a small yet stylish and extremely welcoming hotel sitting in a peaceful street in the heart of Pisa. It sits in a late 19th-century Liberty palazzo, complete with a lush garden which felt like a haven in the middle of the city. On the inside, contemporary artwork and antique items sprinkled everywhere add character. 

We were particularly blown away by the hospitality here, like being welcomed with biscuits and fruit juice. French windows opened onto a wide terrace with alfresco furniture, where we could enjoy takeaway food. Additionally, steps led down to the garden with garden furniture, a gazebo, and citrus trees. However, it was the food service here that was excellent. For one, breakfast (hot and cold items) would either be delivered to our rooms or could be enjoyed at stylish Ars Café down the road. The small but comfy lounge with complimentary refreshments (Nespresso coffee, chocolates, biscuits, and fresh fruit) and art books was a great place to unwind. Did we mention our rooms had Tuscan wines and even more complimentary sweet treats on sale? Yes! Finally, between roadside parking permits and nearby car parks, we didn’t have a problem parking our car.

With just five spacious rooms, staying here was very intimate and exclusive. They were all effortlessly elegant, with each one having a special feature. These included a color-therapy two-seater whirlpool tub with Bluetooth speakers (yes!) and the freestanding retro bathtub, like in our room. Moreover, they all featured large windows, ecru and white color schemes, smart TVs with Netflix, Nespresso machines, and kettles.

Our Verdict!

Pisa was certainly an interesting place to stay, and we were thrilled by the choices of hotels. That being said, here’s a specialized list.

• Best hostel: Safestay Pisa Centrale
• Best location: NH Pisa
• Best value for money: Relais dei Mercanti B&B and Suites
• Best overall: Palazzo Cini

Where to Stay in Pisa?

Pisa might not be a very big city, but it does have multiple neighborhoods to choose from to stay at. First-timers and culture vultures will love San Martino and Santa Maria, both of which are closest to Pisa’s most important attractions. In fact, the quiet San Martino is considered the city’s most beautiful neighborhood. Tucked in the southern part of Pisa’s historic center, it’s ideal to unwind while also saving money and staying close to the main attractions. Next, there’s Santa Maria, which is home to all of Pisa’s attractions, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the most famous places for creative forced-perspective photos.

San Francesco is one of Pisa’s liveliest neighborhoods and home to its best restaurants, bars, and cinemas, making it very popular with younger travelers. Its most famous part is the beautiful Lungarno, a beautiful promenade winding alongside the Arno River and lined with ancient residences and elegant palaces. Meanwhile, the quieter Sant’Antonio is ideal for families with elders and kids. Finally, there’s San Giusto, which is slightly outside the center but has a wide choice of hostels and B&Bs. Thus, it’s perfect for those who are traveling on a budget.

How much time should I spend in Pisa?

Two to three days are perfect for exploring the Leaning Tower, the surrounding square, the historic center, food, and local culture. Plus, you could even take day trips to the Tuscan countryside and the nearby Lucca. 

Is it easy to get around in Pisa? 

Pisa is compact, which means that we could walk around to most of the main attractions. There’s also public transport, like the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus and the local buses.