Pisa is perhaps not the best destination to head for if you are looking for an all-round family holiday. The city offers no specific attractions tailored to the needs or interests of children and, after the exhausting the modest selection of suggestions below, parents may genuinely struggle to find something with which to keep the young ones occupied.

Castiglioncello Beach
Head by bus, train or car to the town of Castiglioncello, just 35 miles from Pisa, and you’ll find a pretty little beach just on the right side of commercial development. The kids can indulge in all the usual beach activities such as swimming, paddling, sandcastle building and of course digging a hole to Australia and burying Dad up to the neck in the sand.

Hotel Kid’s Clubs
If your children are not really excited by Renaissance architecture or fine scenery then you might want to make a point of making sure that the hotel you book into has a Kid’s Club. Those that do invariably allow you to drop the kids off for morning or afternoon while you either go and relax by the pool or head out for a spot of sightseeing, content in the knowledge that your offspring are in the hands of trained staff who will keep them entertained with a variety of activities. Clubs are generally aimed at younger children and may not hold interest for those of junior school age or above.

Gelateria di Piazza
Not really an attraction or an activity so much as a place that the kids just have to visit at least once during their holiday; the Gelateria di Piazza in neighbouring San Gimignano, is hailed as one of Italy’s finest ice- cream shops. A myriad of ice-cream flavours and the possibility of having up to a handful of scoops on a single cone, make this a destination that few children will not get exceptionally excited at the thought of and even more excited at the opportunity to stuff their faces to their heart’s content.

Culture seekers will truly be in their element in the city of Pisa which is literally teeming with magnificent old buildings, heritage sites and museums. The Duomo is perhaps the highlight and the place where most tourists head first, not least because it’s where the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is situated.

Baptistery
Otherwise known as the Battistero, the Baptistery is a splendid circular-shaped building on the Piazza dei Miracoli. External views are magnificent and once you venture in, you get the chance to appreciate fine features such as the beautiful pulpit and stupendous baptismal font. Walk a flight of stairs and you are in the building’s dome, an interesting feat of architectural skill.

Church of St Francis
The Church of St Francis was designed by Giovanni di Simone and constructed in the late 13th century with additions made in the form of new chapels in 1343. Notable features are its nave and belfry and 15th century cloister as well as its fine collection of artistic works including those by Santi di Tito, Taddeo Gaddi and Jacopo da Empoli. Buried in the church’s Gherardesca Chapel, are the bodies of Italian noble Ugolino della Gherardesca (Count of Donoratico) and his sons.

Duomo (Cathedral)
Pisa’s Duomo is its magnificent cathedral complex within which the most famous building is the bell tower, the Leaning Tower. Visitors should not be so distracted from the tower so as to miss some of the Duomo’s other fascinating sights which includes the main cathedral building dating back to the 11th century with its splendid pulpit that managed to survive a fire in 1595. Also worthy of note is the chapel dedicated to St. Ranieri, who is the city’s patron saint. The ashes of the saint are contained in an urn which sits behind the chapel altar.

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
With a complete renovation since its initial construction, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is located behind the Duomo and is home to an impressive collection of artworks assembled from the Duomo, Campanile and Battistero. Works available for viewing include Donatello's Saint John and Magdalene, the statue of Boniface VIII and pieces by the artist Arnolfo di Cambo.

Museo delle Sinópie
Located on the south side of Pisa’s Piazza del Duomo and housed inside what was once a hospice, the Museo delle Sinópie features a collection of art-based exhibits among which, the most interesting are a series of drawings that are believed to be preliminary sketches to some of the city’s finest frescoes. The museum displays these drawings (sinópie) alongside reproductions of the frescoes so visitors are able to see how these basic artistic foundations influenced the finished results.

Museo Nazionale di S. Matteo
Located in the Piazzetta di San Matteo in Soarta, the Museo Nazionale di S. Matteo or National Museum of Saint Matteo is among the city’s most important museums for paintings and sculptures. Works from the 12th to the 15th centuries are on display, among which are pieces by Simone Martini, Nino Pisano, Andrea Pisano and Giovanni.

Piazza dei Cavalieri
This magnificent square is home to some truly beautiful examples of classical architecture including the Palazzo dei Cavalieri with its beautiful façade and the Palazzo dell'Orologio which as a prison, once incarcerated the famous Count Ugolino della Gherardesca. Additionally, the Church of Santo Stephano dei Cavalieri is worthy of mention with its elegant marble façade and rich interior decoration.

Dining options in Pisa are plentiful with an abundance of eateries on had across the length of the city. Visitors are warned to use a little judgement before deciding on a restaurant, especially in the tourist areas, as establishments often list prices outside which, only after you order, will you realise correspond to some fairly scrawny sized portions of basic dishes. There are of course, some excellent restaurants to be found, many of them belonging to the city’s respectable hotels and it is worthwhile taking the trouble to seek them out provided you aren’t on too tight a budget. Cuisine in Pisa is essential Tuscan and simple in nature, relying heavily on locally available fresh produce including meats, cheese, beans and good wine.

In the tourist areas such as around the Duomo and the Leaning Tower, you will find an abundance of market stalls and small shops selling the usual variety of tourist tat with everything from Tower replicas to Michelangelo underpants. The closer you are to the attractions, the more expensive these items will be so if you must purchase such things a gifts or souvenirs, then wait till you get a little off the beaten track for better prices. Street hawkers are also prevalent in the Duomo area, selling all manner of fake designer goods such as watches, purses, belts etc. The quality of such good is invariably questionable and visitors are wise to be discerning before considering a purchase. Away from the tourist areas, you’ll find the most significant shopping street is Corso Italia which is located between Pisa’s two historical quarters.

Pisa and destinations beyond in the greater Tuscany region, offer a modest selection of outdoor activities for those who have already exhausted the sightseeing possibilities. If you really want to get out and experience the scenic Tuscany countryside, then a rental car is a good way of getting to some of the more obscure locations.

Golf
Those looking to practice their swing or fine hone their putting skills, will find a couple of venues at their disposal both of which offer 18 holes set amid lush Mediterranean scenery. The Golf Club Tirrenia is situated between Pisa and Livorno while the Cosmopolitan Golf and Country Club is located just south of the city and offers all the benefits of a resort as well as its excellent golf course.

Hiking
Grab yourself a map and a guide book and head out into the greater Tuscany area where you’ll find a variety of established routes available. A sturdy pair of boots and a compass won’t go amiss and neither will a mobile phone in case you get seriously lost but these are concerns you’ll soon forget about once you get out into the scenic Tuscan environment.

Horse riding
The Tuscany region offers landscape that is pretty much ideal for horse riding and for those who are fans of this activity there are a number of options for pursuing it. The most popular, for those wanting to really experience something of the Tuscany countryside, is to take a three-day riding trip offered at one of the hotels just outside of the city.

Tennis
Choose the right hotel and you’ll have access to the establishment’s tennis courts where you can usually play for free although at busy times of the year, you may need to reserve a court. Courts are sometimes open to non-residents on payment of the required fee - call the hotel in question for more details.