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Tuscany tickets: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano

Beyond Florence · what to book and what to buy on arrival

Outside Florence, the one ticket to book ahead is the Leaning Tower of Pisa climb: it's timed, slots are capped, and sales open 90 days in advance. Siena Cathedral and San Gimignano's museums run on passes you can also buy on the spot: the €14 OPA SI Pass and the €15 San Gimignano Pass.

The one ticket to book before you travel

Beyond Florence, a single ticket shapes the itinerary: the Leaning Tower climb. It's timed, the slots are capped, and if you're late you lose your climb. Online sales on the Opera della Primaziale Pisana's site open 90 days before your date; the ticket offices on the square only sell from 15 days ahead. If you have a fixed day, book the tower as soon as you know your train.

Everything else can be bought on arrival. Siena Cathedral runs on the OPA SI Pass, sold online and at the Piazza Duomo ticket office. The exception is the Gate of Heaven rooftop route, sold only online or at the desk while places last. In San Gimignano you simply pay at the museum desks.

The passes that actually exist

Each complex has its own pass, sold by the body that runs it:

Italy's free first Sunday won't help here: these sites aren't state-run, so they charge as usual.

Splitting the days

Pisa fits in half a day: tower at your booked time, then the cathedral and baptistery. Leave a real buffer between your train and your slot; lateness isn't forgiven.

Siena and San Gimignano make one full day, easiest by car. Siena Cathedral takes about two hours. On Sundays and holidays the cathedral itself only opens in the afternoon, so start that day in San Gimignano.

No car? Day trips from Florence combine Siena, San Gimignano and often a Chianti tasting. Some don't include monument tickets, so read what's inside before you pay. And Siena's marble floor is only uncovered in set weeks of the year: check the dates on the cathedral's site before you fix the trip.

FAQ

Do I need to book the Leaning Tower of Pisa in advance?

In practice, yes. The Tower + Cathedral ticket (€20) is for a fixed time slot and numbers are capped. Online sales open 90 days ahead; the ticket offices on the square sell from 15 days ahead.

What can I see in Pisa in one day?

The Square of Miracles: tower, cathedral, baptistery, Camposanto and two museums. The Complete + Tower ticket (€27) covers everything, and the cathedral on its own is free.

Are Tuscan museums free on the first Sunday of the month?

State museums are, but Pisa's Square of Miracles, Siena Cathedral and San Gimignano's museums are run by their own bodies and charge as usual.

Is the OPA SI Pass worth it in Siena?

It's the standard way into the cathedral complex: €14 (€16 when the marble floor is uncovered) for the cathedral, Piccolomini Library, crypt, baptistery and museum, valid three days.

Can I do Siena and San Gimignano in one day?

Yes, by car or on a day trip from Florence. Allow about two hours for Siena Cathedral and a couple of hours for San Gimignano's Duomo and tower.

Sources & checks

Official prices and rules are copied from the pages below. Spotted a change? Write to info@tickets.co.it.

  1. opapisa.it/biglietti/prezzi — prices
    [text of the official price-chart image] 20€ Cattedrale+Torre Cathedral+Tower · 27€ Completa+Torre Complete+Tower
  2. opapisa.it/biglietti/qualche-informazione-prima-di-comprare-il-biglietto — booking
    È possibile acquistare i biglietti on-line da 90 giorni (GMT) al giorno (GMT) della data di visita.
  3. operaduomo.siena.it/visita — prices
    INTERO 01/01 – 26/06; 01/08 – 17/08; 16/11 – 31/12: € 14,00 Durante la scopertura del Pavimento (27/06 – 31/07; 18/08 – 15/11): € 16,00
  4. operaduomo.siena.it/visita — visit
    L’itinerario Opa Si Pass può essere effettuato in circa due ore e conserva una validità di tre giorni consecutivi dalla data di emissione.
  5. sangimignanomusei.it — prices
    INTERO € 15 JUNIOR € 12 GRATUITO (COMPLESSO COLLEGIATA) € 0 GRATUITO (COMPLESSO MUSEI CIVICI) € 0 VALIDITÀ 3 gg. Diritto di prevendita € 1,00
  6. cultura.gov.it/agevolazioni — free
    I musei, monumenti, gallerie ed aree archeologiche delle regioni Sicilia, Valle d'Aosta, delle province Autonome di Trento e Bolzano nonché di proprietà di enti locali e privati sono gestiti autonomamente, con modalità di accesso diverse da quelle statali.

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