My husband and I are going on a mediterrean cruise next November and I can't decide on 1 of the excursions and would like some input. Were torn between excursion 1 going to see the leaning tower of piza then off to Florence for 4 hours. Or excursion 2 where we skip Piza and get 6 hours in Florence? I'm concerned that 4 hrs in Florence wont be enough with all there is to see and do. Do we really need to see the leaning tower of Piza? Your input is appreciated.

Skip Pisa and spend the time in Florence.

I've not been the the leaning Tower of Pisa but have been to Florence. I've heard Pisa is overrated, and I would definitely spend more time in Florence. Even 6 hours is short!

I’d take Florence over Piza any day of the week.
Get a copy of https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/florence and 6 hours will be great. Prob best to just do a walk around and grab a gelato and a coffee.
If you plan to hit museums, skip the Uffizi and go to the Galileo museum instead.
RICKSTEVES.COM
Florence Travel Guide by Rick Steves

And- if you have time- have lunch here:
https://www.fishinglab.it/en/
FISHINGLAB.IT
Home - Fishing Lab

Florence is a beautiful city. Even six hours isn’t enough. You wouldn’t be missing much if you don’t see the leaning tower. It’s small, tons of kitsch for sale all around it, lots of elaborate pickpocketing on the site.

Skip Pisa.

Having been to both, skip Pisa

If you’re u want to see any of the art galleries,palaces in Florence you should book a specific time slot and do it well in advance. The lineups for these things are incredibly long. Pisa is nice but very commercialized,not much else there but the tower and a couple of other lovely buildings.

lots of great info on all aspects of cruises on Cruisecritic dot com -info on ports, best excursions, the ship itself.... (be sure to check the discussion 'boards')

Diane yes, Cruisecritic is a fantastic resource!

If you are offered a Tuscany tour that includes Florence and maybe a stop in San Gigmignano, (which is about an hour outside Florence, then I would do that. It's a long day from the ship but worth seeing one of the beautiful ancient hillside towns of Tuscany.

Florence for sure

Can you stay longer in Florence ? I would

Marlene monits a cruise ship stop for the day

Not much else to see/do in Pisa than the tower. It's crowded and lines are long if you want to go up.
Lots to see/do in Florence. Like others have said, even 6 hours won't be long enough.

Skip Pisa, so much to see in Florence!

Yes, Pisa NO Piza

Florence for sure. 6 hours isn't enough but well worth it

I have also done both. Pisa is there for the pictures, super fun! If you don't think you will go back to Pisa, do it. 4 hours in Florence is enough to see the city, shop, grab a bite. Hope you have room for leather purses!!
I would prefer to see 2 places over only 1 place. Just my opinion!

Florence for sure...
Try to make it to one of the museums if you are into Art

Both. 4 hrs in Florence is good enough but you have to walk constantly.

Florence not Pisa.

Definitely skip Pisa. Florence is spectacular. The tower is meh!

skip pisa

Best sandwich I ever ate was in Florence... I would go back just for that. We skipped Pisa since my partner has already been and I didn't care that much. I don't think you can lose either way but I prefer not to rush as I have done jam packed European cruises and can barely remember a thing because I tried to pack too much in.

Florence for sure. Skip Piza.

It's hard to decide. I'm leaning toward Pisa.

Skip Pisa/ you don’t have enuf time in Florence but take what you can get … ideally with pre-purchased tix to top sites

We chose to go to Pompeii over pisa. Absolutely no regrets

Terri pompei is from alafi not Livorno I believe.

Laura we had the option to do either of those excursions from the cruise port.

Terri pompei is 5 hours from Florence.

Do both. We did both and had 4 hours in Florence and only an hour in pisa. You want to say you were at pisa.

Terri Pompei is south of Rome!!

I sent you a message with the 2 we booked since I'm not sure I can/should share private tours on this page.

Laura I only booked through the cruise line. My travel agent highly recommended it, especially in the Mediterranean. Thank gawd we did because we were late getting back to the ship everytime

Laura good to know!

Terri going there on another day!

I skipped Rome to stay in Florence. Magical city.

Florence for sure.

Just florence

We got off the cruise and there were guides offering private tours. We opted to do both Pisa and Florence. At Pisa it was really just a quick photo opt and walked the grounds for a bit. Then we headed to a Florence. He took us to a few look out points before dropping us off for free time to walk around. Definitely not enough time to see and do it all even if you only opted to go to Florence. But it was enough to give us a taste and we know it’s on our bucket list to return one day (not via cruise).

If crunched for time definitely take more time in Florence!

Skip Pisa, it' s 5 minute attraction. Spen more time in Florence.

We just got back .. take Florence.. book your skip the line tickets for David and also Uffuzi gallery..

Skip Pisa. Tourist trap.

Pisa is very touristy. Did not enjoy it. Vendors are lined up with tacky souvenirs

Florence has much more to offer

Skip Pisa

Florence is more worth your time than pisa

Danniela I agree

My vote would be for Florence .. it’s a beautiful city

Pisa you'll clear in 30 min go to Florence

Definitely option 2 with more time in Florence as there’s so much more to see!

Florence, definitely skip Piza

Skip Piza

Skip pisa

Skip Pisa and spend 6 hours in Florence. Need a great 4th generation restaurant ‘ Trattoria Camillo’ - Just over the Ponte Vecchio ( covered bridge) turn right (as soon as you are over the bridge) on via Jacopo #57 on the left side . It is closer to Ponte Tinto the next bridge. Fabulous food. Do try deep fried zucchini blossoms when in Italy. If not on the menu ask for them and they will usually make them.

Skip Pisa.

Florence

If I was you, I would only book excursions through the cruise line. We were late getting back to the ship every single time. Traffic is insane. Best trip of my life . Happy for you

Definitely Florence!

Go to Florence. It’s beautiful and totally worth the time there. Best food we had in Italy. Enjoy!

There usually is another option with 1/2 day visit of Florence and 1/2 into the hills.

We did the Piza and Florence excursion. I enjoyed both!

We did the leaning tower of Pisa & 4 hours in Florence, we were the youngest by far and such we kind of speed walked to the tower and were the only ones in the group who had time to go up the Leaning tower because we literally had 45 min in Pisa, its literally a couple of buildings in a little square. It was actually my second time to Pisa and let me tell you its way over hyped. I personally wished we only did Florence but my husband really wanted the iconic Pisa photos of pushing the tower over. My recommendation is just do Florence, there is soo much to do there, you will enjoy your day way more and less time will be wasted sitting in a bus

Following

Pisa is 10 minutes, waste of tims
Florence is amazing

My daughter saw it, told me to skip it. So we spent extra time in Florence and I don’t regret the decision. Florence is a beautiful city

Would you be doing transatlantic November 23rd on Enchanted Princess?

Brenda no, 2 back to back cruises nov 1 - 22 on the Enchanted Princess. Are you boarding the day after we leave? Lol

Victoria I am , it's our first transatlantic

Brenda enjoy!!

Victoria thank you, you as well

Florence

Florence all the way!

On a one-day excursion from port, Florence only.

6 hours in Florence for sure. I agree with the comments about booking skip the line tickets. It’s worth the extra money in time saved.

Florence 100%

Skip the tower and go to Florence

Go to Florence, Piza, doesn't compare

6 hours in Florence
Florence is so beautiful

6 hours in Florence. Hands downs.

Florence hands down over Piza

You can pass on the Leaning Tower. Take extra time in Florence

Done both.
Definitely skip Pisa.

Skip Piza and do the 6 hours in Florence.

Pisa- when you’ve seen all the good stuff
so in a couple of trips!! Enjoy!!

Florence. You will see Piza on the way. Go to the market in Florence and don't forget to bargain. And gelato, some of the best I had was in Florence. Check out the gold market under the bridge by the river. Also, the Duomo, the famous Florence Cathedral. Nice little restaurants near cathedral to sit and have a wine or beer and people watch for a bit when you get tired.

6 hours in Florence

Firenza for sure. The coach ride can be long. Train is fun. Some cities offer free walking tours. Italian styling for male clothing is cool. I bought a hunk (2) of Parmigiano : make sure it is vacuum packed and the store label.

If you're trying to see the world before you die, go to both, as you'll never go back. We did.

Pisa is lovely to see if you have the time to spare But Florence is magic. You can easily spend 6 hours there and it still not be enough.
As someone that hates rushing I would strongly suggest going to just the one place for this round. Florence won’t disappoint

Pisa is unnecessary

There’s so many wonderful things to see in Florence. And only one in Pisa. Stay with Florence

Florence is amazing...I spent 3 days there!