So much more than a leaning tower, Pisa is a great place to call your home if you’re looking to relocate to Italy as an expat or student. It is a city with a long and fascinating history, warm weather, fantastic Italian food, and a friendly and vibrant local lifestyle. Although tourists flock to The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the city in general still offers a nice mix of Italian locals and expats from a variety of other countries.
When it comes to taking in the sights, The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the obvious choice, but there is much more than this. The city is home to various historic churches, palaces, bridges, and other buildings that are worth your time to see. The University of Pisa is another impressive building worth seeing, even if you’re not attending there. The university was established in the 14th century, although the building has been around since the 12th century! It is now host to approximately 46,000 students from around Italy, Europe, and even further afield.
When it comes to buying or renting apartments in Pisa, prices have risen in recent years but are still reasonable in comparison to Florence, situated just an hour away, and the capital, Rome. It’s a good idea to start searching for apartments for rent in Pisa before you make the move, and online portals like Nestpick are the perfect place to get started. There are a variety of apartments and rooms in Pisa for you to explore.
Types of Accommodations in Pisa
Apartments in Pisa by area
Apartments for rent in Pisa can vary greatly depending on where you look, with cheaper accommodation available in the outskirts and suburbs of the city. The city is divided into four primary districts, or historical quarters. These are Santa Maria, San Francesco, Sant’ Antonio and San Martino. Santa Maria is one of the more popular areas right at the centre of the city, and rent prices reflect this by being slightly higher.
In Pisa, apartments to rent can cost you anywhere from €450 - €800 for a one-bedroom or studio apartment, depending on the size and quality of the accommodation. In general, you can find rooms to rent in shared Pisa apartments for around €300, which is a cheaper alternative to renting an entire apartment. To find Pisa apartments for rent, you can search Nestpick to browse the range of choices available to you.
Best areas for Apartments in Pisa
Apartments in South Pisa
South of the River Arno are the two historical quarters of Sant’ Antonio to the west and San Martino to the east. This area is collectively known as Mezzogiorno. It is a fairly small area of the city, making it easy to see pretty much everything in South Pisa if you are visiting. Mezzogiorno has lots of churches to enjoy the sights of, with spectacular architectural designs. Other attractions include Fortezza di Pisa, an impressive fortress, and museums such as Museo della Grafica and Palazzo Blue. South Pisa is filled with Gothic architecture and classic Italian charm, making it a great place to experience the city.
You will find a good mix of classic Italian housing mixed in with modern apartments in the South Pisa area, as well as plenty of choice when it comes to hotels, holiday apartments, and serviced apartments for those visiting on a temporary basis. So, whether you’re ready to find a permanent residence in South Pisa or need somewhere to stay while you continue your search, there will be something available for you. Buying or renting accommodation close to the banks of the River Arno gives you some incredible views of the river and out further into the northern quarters of Pisa.
You can search using Nestpick to find a South Pisa apartment to suit you in your journey to Pisa.
Apartments in Santa Maria, Pisa
You can find the historical quarter of Santa Maria north of the River Arno on the west side of the city. This is where you’ll see many of the city’s most famous sights, including the Leaning Tower, the Duomo, and the city’s main cathedral. As a result, there will often be tourists in this area, particularly during the summer months, although it is fairly busy all year round.
It is also a popular area for students, with The University of Pisa and the majority of its faculties located in Santa Maria, including the school of engineering, medicine, biology, and literature. Other schools are found in the neighbouring district of San Francesco, making them still easily accessible for students living in Santa Maria. The city centre has a vibrant nightlife, especially thanks to the student population, with a great range of choice of restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Despite the commercial aspects of Santa Maria, it still has plenty to offer when it comes to residential properties. There are a range of apartment buildings and student apartments right at the heart of the historic centre, many available for rent while others are available to buy. The buildings are full of character and display a range of architectural styles from different periods. It is one of the more expensive areas of the city, but you can save by looking for a shared apartment or a room for rent in Santa Maria, Pisa.
Apartments in San Francesco area, Pisa
Also north of the River Orno, bordering Santa Maria in the east of the historical centre, is the historical quarter of San Francesco. Like Santa Maria, San Francesco has lots of churches and other historical buildings that make for great sights, whether you are just visiting the city or are living there more permanently.
Certain departments of the University of Pisa are also located within San Francesco, including physics, computer science, and mathematics, as well as a university library. So, students of Pisa are known to live in this area for the proximity to their studies as well as the city’s nightlife. San Francesco boasts a variety of lively entertainment venues, with theatres and cinemas as well as the typical array of bars and restaurants.
Apartments for rent in San Francesco are largely similar in style to those in the Santa Maria quarter, although many can be found for slightly cheaper. Both student residences and regular apartments are available in San Francesco, ranging from single rooms to apartments with multiple bedrooms. Start your search online with Nestpick to find out what accommodation is available right now in San Francesco, Pisa.
Student accommodation Pisa
You can find student accommodation scattered all around Pisa, but the majority of it is to be found north of the River Orno in the historical centre, on both the quarters of Santa Maria and San Francesco. This is where the majority of the University’s buildings are located. They also prove to be popular locations among students due to the nightlife of the city and all of the nearby bars, pubs, and clubs. There are a number of affordable places for students to go for a night out, and they are always busy on the usual student nights.
Renting a student room in Pisa is the cheapest way to secure accommodation, typically costing less than €250 per month, even in the city centre. This is also a more social way to live in Pisa, as you will be sharing accommodation with other students. You can also rent a student apartment in Pisa for a reasonable price, either sharing with others or on your own, although this will work out more expensive.
Pisa public transport
Pisa is a fairly small city, making walking from one place to another feasible. But when you need public transport, the easiest way to get around Pisa is by bus, with lots of different lines crossing the city in different directions. These buses operate regularly, so you don’t have to wait too long to catch a bus. The public transport is also reasonably priced, with a one-way journey costing just €1.20, or a total of €26 for a travel pass that you can use for an entire month.
The city’s main train station, Pisa Centrale is located south of the River Orno, providing lines around Italy to Rome, Florence, Genoa, Naples, and other cities. You can also travel out of Pisa by plane, with Pisa International Airport located just outside of the city’s borders. A local service called Pisamover provides a direct link from Pisa Central Station to the airport.