Having visited the popular tourist destinations in Tuscany such as Florence, Pisa and Siena on previous trips, my partner and I found somewhere that is less of a magnet for tour groups, but no less charming.

Pistoia, the European City of Culture for 2017 was perfect for a day trip

Our base at Grand Hotel Bonanno was only 5 minutes’ walk to Pisa San Rossore Station. There’s an hourly train to Pistoia, with a change at Lucca. The whole journey was about 1 hour 16 minutes (22 minutes to Lucca and then 40minutes to Pistoia).  The fare was only €6.90 one way. Once arrived Pistoia can be easily explored on foot, with stops at a roadside cafe to watch the world go by!

On a warm sunny June day it was such a pleasure to wander around the historical centre to admire the beautiful buildings with only a few discerning tourists like us! 

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo

The Bell Tower

The Tower is 67 meters high with 200 steps to the top

The Bell tower

Bell tower

But the panoramic views at the top were well worth every narrow step!

The Tower could only be accessed with a guided tour. Tickets were available at the Tourist Office housed in the Bishop’s Palace 

The bishop’s palace (the tourist office is on the ground floor)

 Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte

Ospedale del Ceppo 

The ancient hospital is now a museum. Its façade is beautifully sculpted with multicolored glazed terracotta figures

Ospedale del Ceppo

The beautiful façade of Ospedale del Ceppo

San Giovanni Fuoricivitas

Pistoia itself may be explored in a day, but there are many interesting and beautiful places just outside Pistoia. It could be a good base for exploring them in the future, probably with a hired car.

Finally 

The fridge magnet