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Inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa | Bells, Spiral Steps & More

An architectural marvel from medieval Europe, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the top attractions to visit in Italy. From the moment you enter this monument, you will feel the tilt that is visible from the outside. Once you climb the 251 steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you get to witness the stunning panoramic view of the city

Leaning Tower of Pisa From the Inside

leaning tower of pisa architecture

Inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa

leaning tower of pisa door

Entrance

Once you pass the security check, you will reach the base of the monument. Here, you will come across the entrance door to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The door is 4 feet high and the entrance floor is inclined which is noticeable when you walk on it. There isn’t much inside the tower and it looks like a hollow cylinder. Due to minimal lighting, the interior walls of the tower look yellow in color.

leaning tower of pisa

Waiting Area

At a time, only 30 people are allowed inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Each batch of visitors is given 35 minutes to climb up and down the tower. The rest of the visitors have to stand in a queue at the entrance and wait for the last batch to return before making their ascent. Meanwhile, there are some hangings and guides available that you can read to learn more about the history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 

leaning tower of pisa inside

Looking Up

Since there is no artificial light in the Tower of Pisa and barely any openings, the tower looks dark and empty when you look at the top floors from the bottom. There is minimal light entering the tower from the small openings at each landing and a glass ceiling at the base of the 8th floor. The tower looks like a hollow cylinder when you look from the bottom floor of the tower.

leaning tower of pisa stairs

Narrow Spiral Stairs

There are a total of 251 steps to reach the bell chamber from the bottom of the Tower. Another 12 steps will take you inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Out of the five different flights of stairs, you will come across two full-sized spiral staircases, the 3rd and 4th set of stairs, to move between the floors. These are quite narrow and only one visitor can pass through them at a time.

leaning tower of pisa tilt

Feeling the Tilt

As soon as you enter the Tower of Pisa, you will feel a little out of balance as the sloping surface on which the tower stands is quite noticeable here. Once you start climbing the stairs, the tilt will become visible and a few visitors might also feel dizzy due to this.

leaning tower of pisa window

Windows and Openings

There is no artificial light inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa so it takes time to accustom your eyes to the darkness. The only light that enters this tower is through the small door-sized openings that you find at each staircase landing. These openings are shut with metal grates to prevent visitors from accessing the column area and getting hurt. There is also a massive glass opening at the base of the 8th floor through which some more light can enter.

leaning tower of pisa bells

Bells on Top

On the 8th floor, you will come across 7 bells in the bell chamber that was added to the Tower of Pisa in 1372. Each bell was used to play a note on the musical major scale and the largest bell was added to the chamber in 1655. These bells were silenced in the 20th century during restoration as it was believed that the bell vibration could worsen the tilt of the tower.

leaning tower of pisa glass ceiling

Glass Ceiling

Once you are at the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you can see the bells around you. Along with this, there is a glass ceiling at the center of the 8th floor for you to look into the tower from the top. The glass cover also allows light to pass through into the tower, but because the tower is so massive, it still appears dimly lit. 

leaning tower of pisa view

View From the Top

After you go through the 251 steps to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and be greeted with a magnificent view of the entire town of Pisa. From the top, you can witness the red-roofed buildings of Pisa along with the mountains in the distance and the stunning Cathedral Square. You can click pictures and take videos of yourself here to retain the memories of this wonderful experience. 

How To Get Inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

  • Online Tickets: You can plan your trip and book them online here. This will allow you to pre-book your slot and also skip the long lines.
  • Discounted Tickets: Visitors with a disability can get free tickets to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 
  • Guide/Guard Dogs: Visitors can bring their helpers to the Leaning Tower of Pisa to assist them with their visit. A certified guide dog is also allowed inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa for a person with disabilities.
  • Free Carer Ticket: Disabled visitors can get free Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets for themselves and their helpers. 
  • For the disabled: The Tower of Pisa is not accessible by wheelchair. It is also not recommended for people with cardiovascular or muscular disorders to climb the tower. 

Note: For reasons of safety, children under the age of 8 years are not to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Children between the ages of 8 and 18 years will be allowed to climb the tower only if accompanied by an adult.

Book Leaning Tower of Pisa Tickets




Buy Leaning Tower of Pisa Tickets

Leaning Tower of Pisa Tickets with Optional Monumental Complex
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
Audio guide
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Pisa Cathedral and Leaning Tower Guided Tour
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1 hr. 30 min.
Guided tour
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Pisa All-Inclusive Guided Tour of Baptistery, Cathedral & Tower
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2 hr. 15 min.
Guided tour
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Small-Group Guided Tour of Pisa with Wine Tasting
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3 hr.
Guided tour
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3-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Pisa with Skip-the-Line Access to the Cathedral & Leaning Tower of Pisa
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Mobile ticket
3 hr.
Guided tour
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Visitor Facilities

  • Lockers: You can use the cloakroom at Opera Della Primaziale Pisana free of cost. Keep your luggage or handbags here when going inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
  • Toilets: There are several public toilets available around the Leaning Tower of Pisa for a small fee.
  • Baby changing facilities: There are no baby changing facilities inside Leaning Tower of Pisa but you will find several options near the attraction.
  • Wifi: Visitors can enjoy free Wi-Fi access at Piazza del Duomo.
  • Dining: There are many restaurants, cafes, and bars close to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
  • Shopping: Visitors can purchase gifts and souvenirs from the shops near the Tower of Pisa. 

Getting to the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Frequently Asked Questions About What’s Inside Leaning Tower of Pisa

Q. What is inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

A. As the Tower of Pisa was meant to be a bell tower for the Cathedral Square, it doesn’t have much inside the tower apart from the stairs that lead up to the bells at the top of the tower. The tower is dark with minimal light that comes through its windows on the upper stories. 

Q. Can I enter inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

A. Once you show your Leaning Tower of Pisa ticket, you will be allowed to enter into the tower and climb to the top.

Q. How many steps are inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

A. There are a total of 251 steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa that take you to the top. 

Q. What kind of footwear should I wear for climbing the steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

A. Make sure to wear flat and comfortable footwear to climb the steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa as they have eroded slightly over the centuries.

Q. How do I enter the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

A. There is a giant door that is slightly tilted to one side because of the tower’s tilt. You will be able to enter the Leaning Tower of Pisa from here.

Q. Can I climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

A. Yes, you can take the steps inside the tower to climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Q. Who is allowed to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

A. It is recommended that people who have lung or heart problems not attempt to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Apart from that, there are no other restrictions on who can climb the tower.

Q. What should I remember before I climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

A. It is important to remember that because of the tilt, you may feel dizzy or breathless while climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Carry some water and take short breaks at the windows of the tower to maintain your energy.