Pisa or Florence for short break.

[Mumdiva99]

Hi,

After following MN advice and having an amazing time in Valencia, please can you help with an Easter trip for 2025. We are
wanting to go on a short break to Italy with husband and 3 teenagers.
Which would be better to stay in Pisa or Florence? We are anticipating going to both. (Or is there somewhere else more suited to us).

We want to see some history, eat some pizza, maybe see the sea. We like a museum and a few things to do. (I think Rome might be too built up for me to enjoy - although going to The Vatican is appealing.).

We are happy with nice self catering if enough rooms/beds and easy to buy food.
Or a hotel with b&b available.

Small to medium budget please. But I want it nice - so would rather pay a little more to ensure this.

Thanks in advance.

Of the two Florence has more to it. Pusa is ok for a few hours. But consider staying in Lucca or Montecatini which are less hectic but well connected to either by train.

I would opt for Pisa but use Lucca as your base. Such a beautiful place. Admittedly went with gal pals - lots of lovely shops and picturesque streets to mooch around. At least 3 towers to ascend and get terrific views. Piazzas, villas, botanical garden. Also hire a bike and cycle the 4km (?) Around the ramparts. We also took the train to the beach. Other members of our party had one long day trip to Florence and then Pisa itself either on way in or back. BTW food was great. We booked an AB&B.
Also as the home of Puccini, there's always somewhere that a recital takes place which rotates around the town, but beautifully sung and a lovely albeit short intro to opera.

This is exactly what we did.

Did we go on the same holiday?

Stayed in Pisa and visited Florence due a day and then Lucca for a day.

Thanks for all your help. I've booked accommodation in Lucca. We missed the BA flight sale - so might wait until Xmas to see if we can get good price flights then.

Florence. Nothing at pisa beyond the hugely over touristy bit.
fly in or out with half a day to pop see that then head off to Florence / airport after

Just a tip if you're travelling by train between these cities - you have to buy the tickets at the machine and THEN validate them at one of the yellow machines dotted around the concourse.

Ticket inspectors (speaking perfect English) happily collect multiple fines from unwary tourists on the Florence/Pisa route especially.

Thanks HPFA. I will remember that.

Fly into Pisa, train between places you want to visit, visit Lucca at some point.

A cycle around the city walls of Lucca is lovely. You can rent electric bikes, tandems etc if too hot or feeling disinclined.

What we did was fly into Pisa, get the airport bus to the station, train to Florence. 3 nights in Florence. Then train back to Pisa, leave luggage in the left luggage at the station, go to see the Leaning Tower, back to station, bus to airport, fly home. There was definitely a cab involved somewhere in Pisa as well as I was a bit worried about making our flight.

Flights to Pisa were significantly cheaper than flights to Florence.

We recently went to a wedding in Sorrento then took the train to Florence where we spent a couple of days, loads to see there and great restaurants etc. We then took the train to Pisa, put our bags in storage at the train station and took a bus to see the tower, then it’s a short hop on the train straight to the airport and a late flight home. Do both! The trains are so good, it’s easy.
PS
Aside from the tower I thought Pisa the town was surprisingly dismal, I’m glad we didn’t stay there.

Agree re Pisa.

Florence will be madly busy but an absolute must if art history and architecture are your thing.
When I went many years ago, I didn't find mooching around very restful, but I was very interested in the cultural aspect. Yes expensive.

Lucca is absolutely lovely. I hired a bike and cycled round the city walls. Had some divine lemon gelato. Never forgotten it. I expect it is busier and more expensive these days.

Oh and definitely read EM Forster's A Room with a View. Before and/or during your visit.

Go to Lucca. Very Italian and lovely. Very easy to reach via Pisa by train. We had an airbnb with a roof garden and bicycles. Cycled round wall a lot it was very relaxing came off at pretty squares for food or drink. Adca little basket on the front so also did our food shopping on our bikes. I loved it.Dustin hoffman was making a movie and we watched from the cafe in the square. I visited Florence for the day on my own, train took an hour. I've been a few times and I can't remember it being so busy. The Galleries and museums are closed on a Monday. I dont like Pisa would never choose to stay there.

Yes to the Boboli gardens.

I went to the Uffizi several times ( nerd!) but the best was an hour before closing when I almost had it to myself.

I would take heed of a previous OP's mention of a celebration in 2025 and the late Easter and plan accordingly. It could make all the difference.

Ahh - see it's the Rome jubilee so please ignore my comment above !

No contest ... Florence!

We have booked Lucca and are looking forward to it. Thanks. (I'm loving the left luggage tip at Pisa for the way home).

@Mumdiva99 , treat yourself to a gelato from Momo gelateria in Lucca. It will be the best you have ever tasted!

@SaSakura7 hi - Could you recommend the hotel and restaurant where you ate? We are doing the same this year and a hotel recommendation would be super helpful!
Thank you. 😊

Florence is one of the most amazing places I've been. Pisa is ok.

We are flying into Piss late in the evening staying overnight. Getting up seeing tower, train to Florence, 3 days Florence, 3 days Venice. Did Rome and Naples last year was amazing, am addicted to Italy now.

Pisa lol

Where are u staying in Piss!?

We are in the chianti area and just want one night in Pisa before flying home the next morning.

Any recommendations welcome.