MUSEUMS TO GO FOR FREE IN PISA

Museo Nazionale di San Matteo

  • Overview:
    One of the most important medieval art museums in Italy, housing paintings, sculptures, and ceramics from the 12th to 17th century, including masterpieces by Donatello and Ghirlandaio.
  • Address:
    Piazza San Matteo in Soarta, 1, 56126 Pisa PI
  • How to Get There:
    A 15-minute walk from Pisa Centrale station or a short bus ride to Lungarno Mediceo.

Free Entry Days:

  • First Sunday of every month
  • Special national holidays (like Festa della Repubblica – June 2)

Additional Info:
Part of the national museum network—check https://museiitaliani.beniculturali.it for updates.

Museo delle Navi Antiche di Pisa (Museum of Ancient Ships)

  • Overview:
    A fascinating museum dedicated to ancient Roman ships discovered near the Pisa San Rossore train station—an immersive experience in maritime archaeology.
  • Address:
    Lungarno Ranieri Simonelli, 16, 56122 Pisa PI
  • How to Get There:
    A 10-minute walk from Pisa San Rossore station.

Free Entry Days:

  • First Sunday of every month
  • Occasional European Heritage Days and city events

Additional Info:
Features full-size reconstructed ships, multimedia exhibits, and historical objects. Perfect for families and history lovers.

Domus Mazziniana

  • Overview:
    A lesser-known museum dedicated to Giuseppe Mazzini, an important figure in the unification of Italy. Located in the house where he died in 1872.
  • Address:
    Via Massimo d’Azeglio, 14, 56125 Pisa PI
  • How to Get There:
    10 minutes on foot from the city center.
  • Free Entry:
    Always free – open to the public during regular hours.
  • Additional Info:
    Often hosts special exhibitions on 19th-century political and social movements.

Museo degli Strumenti per il Calcolo (Museum of Computing Instruments)

  • Overview:
    Run by the University of Pisa, this small museum showcases vintage calculators, computers, and mathematical tools from the 20th century.
  • Address:
    Via Nicola Pisano, 25, 56126 Pisa PI
  • How to Get There:
    Near the Faculty of Engineering, a 15-minute walk from the center.
  • Free Entry:
    Always free, but visits are often by appointment or during special open days.
  • Additional Info:
    Ideal for tech lovers, engineers, and anyone interested in the evolution of computing.

Orto e Museo Botanico (Botanical Garden and Museum)

  • Overview:
    Europe’s oldest university botanical garden, established in 1543. In addition to beautiful outdoor gardens, it features a museum with botanical collections and herbariums.
  • Address:
    Via Luca Ghini, 13, 56126 Pisa PI (next to Piazza dei Miracoli)
  • How to Get There:
    A short walk from the Leaning Tower area.

Free Entry Days:

Additional Info:
A relaxing oasis in the city and a great place to take a break from sightseeing.

Museo della Grafica – Palazzo Lanfranchi

  • Overview:
    A modern and contemporary graphic arts museum located in a beautiful historic palazzo along the Arno River.
  • Address:
    Lungarno Galilei, 9, 56125 Pisa PI
  • How to Get There:
    15-minute walk from Pisa Centrale station.
  • Free Entry:
    Often free during special exhibitions, events, or holidays.
  • Additional Info:
    Check their official site for upcoming free exhibitions and workshops.

✅ Tips for Visiting Pisa’s Museums for Free

  • Visit on the first Sunday of the month – most state-run museums across Italy offer free entry on this day.
  • Check for special events like:
    • Settimana dei Musei (Museum Week) – typically in March
    • European Heritage Days – usually in September
    • La Notte dei Musei (Night of the Museums) – an annual event in May
  • Look for student/university partnerships – the University of Pisa often organizes open cultural days.