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Kayak tour on the river Arno, Pisa (aperitif upon request)
Select Date and Travelers
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn More
2 Hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English, Italian
Overview
Discover the Tuscany city of Pisa from an original viewpoint and take unique selfies from the river Arno!
Let our guide tell the story of the river Arno and its relationship with the city of Pisa while sipping a glass of wine to live the true Italian lifestyle!
Relax your mind and get away from the crowd by paddling on the river Arno!
Difficulty level: easy, suitable for anyone including families and groups of friends.
Our expert will teach you how to be independent on the kayak and all the safety instructions.
Start the tour at the Canottieri Arno headquarters (Lungarno Bonaccorso da Padule, 2, 56122 Pisa, Tuscany, Italy).
The suggested tour lasts 2hrs.
Enjoy the view of the Benedettine Monastery, Cittadella Tower, Santa Maria della Spina Church, National Royal Palace, Lanfreducci Palace, Palazzo Blu, Agostini Palace, Praetorian Palace, Lanfranchi Palace, San Matteo Church, and Scotto Garden.
End the tour at the Canottieri Arno headquarters.
What's Included
- Debrief on how to be independent and safe on the kayak; Kayaks and paddles; A safe place to leave your stuff; Safety equipment; Waterproof cases for smartphones
- Towel, soap, and shampoo if you want to shower at the end
- Aperitif on the kayak can be booked separately by contacting the tour administrator
Meeting And Pickup
Meeting point
The guide will wait for you in front of the green door.
End Point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Ex Monastero delle Benedettine
Monastero delle Benedettine (Benedictine Monastery): built in 1393, it was home to the Benedictine nuns until the ‘60s. Currently, the Monastery hosts Italian and foreign students and teachers from the University of Pisa and a convention hall. The current Neo-Gothic facade dates from 1850.
• Admission Ticket Free
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina
Chiesa S. Maria della Spina: the Pisan Gothic small church of S. Maria della Spina was built in 1230 on the riverbed of the Arno. Starting from 1333, the church kept as a relic a thorn of the crown of Christ, now exhibited in the church of S. Chiara. In 1871, the building was completely dismantled and rebuilt at a higher altitude; on this occasion the church was raised by about one meter.
• Admission Ticket Free
Palazzo Agostini
Palazzo Agostini Venerosi della Seta (Agostini Palace): this palazzo was built between the late 14th century and early 15th centuries, but was only acquired by Mariano and Pietro Agostini, silk merchants, in 1496, who gave it its name. The façade, totally clad in Gothic terracotta mouldings, in the shapes of plants, human heads and heraldic designs, with double and triple mullioned windows, and the open loggia (later closed) on the top floor, make it one of the most important examples of domestic Gothic architecture in Tuscany. At street level is the Caffè dell’Ussero founded in 1775 (the palazzo is also known in Pisa as Palazzo dell’Ussero); it was the meeting place of famous scientists and erudite Italians and foreigners.
• Admission Ticket Free
Ponte di Mezzo
Ponte di Mezzo: The bridge is 89 metres long has a single arch 12.5metres high; it was constructed after being bombed by the Allied forces in WWII in reinforced concrete and faced with white Verona stone. Since the second half of the 17thcentury, the "Gioco del Ponte" has taken place on the bridge. It involves a struggle between teams from the two parts of Pisa, north and south of the river (Mezzogiorno and Tramontana), to win the bridge by pushing a heavy float into the adversary’s side of the bridge.
• Admission Ticket Free
Palazzo Pretorio
Palazzo Pretorio (Preatorian Palace): The Government building or Palazzo Pretorio, Headquarters of the Government Auditor and the Civil and Criminal Chancery, was one of the buildings involved in the process of renovation undertaken in the 18th and 19th centuries, that aimed to alter the medieval appearance of the town. It was reconstructed in 1953 by Sanpaolesi, who only partially based it on Gherardesca’s design. The ground floor loggia was extended to the whole length of the building and the clock tower was built taller.
• Admission Ticket Free
Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Reale
Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace): Built between 1583 and 1587 by will of the Grand Duke Francis I de’ Medici, to a plan by the Florentine architect Bernardo Buontalenti, the palace is situated in a prestigious area of Pisa, where the residence of the Marquis of Tuscia stood in the 10th century. In the18th and 19th centuries the palace continued to be the residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Peter Leopold I particularly enjoyed spending the winter here because of the mild climate. After the unification of Italy, the Savoy family occasionally stayed here, giving it its present name.
• Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- People need to have a basic understanding of swimming techniques
Operated by Kayak Pisa
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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