Really, if you're going to Pisa you're going to Piazza dei Miracoli. While the crowds are enormous, especially during the middle of the day, you'll see some of Italy's most famous attractions. Standing in the plaza gives you a real sense of how important this was as the centre of Pisa all those years ago.
There are a lot of tourists here but you are all there to enjoy the beautiful sights, and some of the poses by the tourists are entertaining to see, but having said that there is generally a very nice atmosphere and all good fun.
Although Pisa has always only really been an entrance and exit point for me as I have used the airport here on a number of occasions, the Piazza dei Miracoli is so beautiful and majestic that I sometimes wonder if it would be worth staying overnight in Pisa just so I could be there first in the morning before the crowds descend. It is a bit of a minefield as if you are the polite type, it can take a huge amount of time during the day to walk short distances around the Piazza as you side step tourists lining up for that shot of the tower. But really, it is an astonishing lovely place and the other buildings are just as beautiful as the tower. It doesnt take long to come in from the airport (if you're in a hurry a taxi takes 10 mins and only costs about €10) so it is worth making the detour if you're using the airport.
The buildings surrounding it are all beautiful, and the sense of space is amazing - provided you go at a quiet time and it's not crowded with tourists and hustlers trying to sell you tat! Early morning is probably best, I was practically alone.
A great place to spend 2-3 hours. I would recommend joining a tour if you can to get the most out of the site. Most come to take a picture "pushing" the leaning tower over without learning much of the very old history of the site. We hired a guide and were amazed at the history we learned; she also had the tickets in hand which helped us get right into each site, with no waiting.
Visiting Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli was a dream come true for me. We arrived mid-morning before the crowds were too big. It was an absolute joy to stand next to such beautiful buildings...something I never thought I would do. We visited in January - less busy and ample parking in designated car parks just a short walk from the attractions. As with all busy tourist attractions, just beware of pickpockets and the occasional person asking for money. If you're near Pisa and have never visited, I'd heartily recommend that you do! Breathtaking architecture...the best!
Pictures do not do this amazing Piazza justice! you are first greated by halkers selling souviners and stuff...walk through the arches and bam there you see this magnificant piazza with all these beautifu buildings we are used to seeing in pictures.Knowing what to expect will not stop you from being blown away by this site. I just never got board of just staring at it from the grass on a beautiful sunny day. it simply took my breath away!
我们去的时候是阴天,可草坪的绿色很眩目。很多游客做出伸手护着斜塔(防止倒塌)的姿势照相,也有的人做出要推倒斜塔的姿势,还是挺有意思的。
I suggest you try to walk in Piazza dei Miracoli early in the morning, when (almost) nobody is there, and let you go and breath the thin air. Then, walk into Camposanto Monumentale as soon as it opens, before the crowd walks in...and try to understand what was in the mind of the people who brought here ancient Roman tombs to be buried in...in a direct link between their life (in Republic of Pisa about XI century) and the old Roman Empire.
It is such a perfection. Three jewels surrounded by a beautiful grass!I reccommend to see the square at sunset when the white monuments get a little bit pink because of the light!