Pistoia
Pistoia is a small Tuscan city known for its Romanesque cathedral square and a Renaissance frieze of glazed terracotta, a short train ride from Florence.
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Pistoia is a small city in Tuscany, in central Italy, between Florence and Lucca. The historic center is compact enough to cover on foot. The cathedral square holds the Romanesque cathedral of San Zeno and its free-standing bell tower. Nearby, the Ospedale del Ceppo has a Renaissance frieze of glazed terracotta on its facade. The city also holds a Saturday market and is known for its plant nurseries.
Pistoia suits a day trip or a short stay for travelers who want Tuscan towns without the pace of Florence or Siena. A short train ride from Florence makes it easy to reach. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the squares. Plan one full day for the cathedral, the Ospedale del Ceppo and the market, or two nights if you want to add Lucca or Montecatini at a slower pace. Pistoia is a working city, so check opening hours before you go.
Pistoia in five
- See the glazed frieze on the Ospedale del CeppoThe hospital facade has a long frieze of painted terracotta by the della Robbia workshop. Look from the street, and check whether the building and its underground tour are open on your day.
- Come on a weekday for the quietThe Piazza del Duomo and the cathedral are easy to visit when it is quiet. Check opening hours for the Baptistery and civic museums, since some close on Mondays.
- Use the train as a link in a Tuscany loopPistoia is on the Florence–Lucca line, with trains to Florence in about 40–60 minutes. It fits between the two cities, so try it on the way instead of a separate trip.Italy by train off-peak
- Add Montecatini Terme for the spa and funicularThe spa town next door has a historic funicular to Montecatini Alto. Check the funicular's timetable and ticket rules before planning a stop.
Things to do in Pistoia
See all attractions in Pistoia
Need to know
- Airport
- Florence (FLR) or Pisa (PSA), about 1 hour by train
- Getting there
- Train from Florence in about 40–60 min; from Lucca about 40 min
- Getting around
- On foot; the center is compact
- Best base
- Near Piazza del Duomo
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cool, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cool, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°MildMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Spring, idealAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, ideal
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, greenMayRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Hot eveningsJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot evenings
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Blues festivalJulyClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Blues festival
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Hot, quietAugustClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, quiet
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, easierSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easier
- OctoberRain12 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Rain riskNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain risk
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Cool, festiveDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, festive
Average daily high and low in Pistoia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Pistoia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 83%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Pistoia
11:41 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°9°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue17°9°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed15°9°10%Wednesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu16°11°4%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri14°12°33%Friday: Rain. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sat15°10°31%Saturday: Rain. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun17°8°33%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 33%.
Updated 09:39 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of ViareggioLucca, a day trip
- Apr–JunMaggio Musicale FiorentinoFlorence, a day trip
- Jun–SepSaracen JoustArezzo, a day trip
- Jul–AugFestival PucciniPisa, a day trip
Before you go to Pistoia
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Rules for Pistoia, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering the cathedral in Piazza del Duomo.
- Check the rules with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you buy antiques, since some need an export license to leave the EU.
Plan around Pistoia
Regions, cities and how to link them
Read the guideFlorenceTuscany's art city, 40 minutes away
Read the guideLuccaWalled city on the same line
Read the guidePisa travel guideThe Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli
Read the guideBolognaEmilia's food city, an hour over the Apennines
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakRail routes outside peak weeks
Read the guidePistoia FAQ
Is Pistoia worth visiting?
Yes, for an easy day with fewer crowds than Florence or Pisa. The cathedral square, the Ospedale del Ceppo and the markets are the draw. It suits a slow day rather than a checklist.
How far is Pistoia from Florence?
About 40–60 minutes by train, depending on the service. Trains run through the day, so a day trip works. Check the timetable for the return trip.
How many days do you need in Pistoia?
A half day to a full day. Stay overnight only if you want a quiet evening or a base between Florence and Lucca.
Is Pistoia or Lucca better?
Lucca has the famous walls and more visitors. Pistoia is smaller and calmer. If you can do only one, pick Lucca for atmosphere, and Pistoia for peace.
What is Pistoia known for?
Its cathedral square, medieval pulpit sculpture, glazed terracotta frieze and plant nurseries. Pistoia was Italy's Capital of Culture in 2017, which gave its museums a boost.