Shopping In Pisa: A Tourist Guide

Pisa’s prominence is closely tied in to its world-famous Tower, but tourists actually come here for a lot more than a leaning infrastructure.  In fact, many tourists end up in town either for hiking, trekking, farm holidays, beaches or water sports – the Leaning Tower just happens to be the most famous of its famous of its attractions.

Most tourists looking to shop, unfamiliar with the locale, immediately try the area around the tower.  Unfortunately, it is riddled with tacky souvenir shops and less-than attractive wares.  If you haven’t wasted your money yet, you’ll be best served by boarding a car hire and driving to Corso Italia or Borgo Stretto, Pisa’s two main shopping districts.

Both streets will be lined with Italian shops of all kinds – fashion, accessories, antiques, gifts and more.  Corso Italia is home to many discount shops and cheap brands, so anyone on a budget should head down its way.  Borgo Stretto, on the other hand, is home to large fashion brands and signature labels, so higher-end shoppers will do well heading that direction.

Other areas of interest to shoppers in Pisa include Via Mercanti and Via Dei Rigattieri, home to shops of varying trades, as well as the monthly Antique and Craft Fair held in varying locations throughout the city every second Saturday and Sunday of the month.