Pisa's road network means you can travel around the city with ease in your hire car. From the airport, take the SS1 northbound and you can be in the heart of the city in under 15 minutes. From the airport you can easily reach the E80 motorway and, if you're heading north, you'll find La Spezia, a beautiful city on the Italian coast. With a thriving outdoor market plus fantastic places to visit such as the Naval Technical museum and the CAMeC museum, La Spezia is one of Tuscany's many highlights.

If you take the E80 southbound, you can reach Livorno in less than 30 minutes. The west coast's breath-taking city is home to the Sanctuary on the Hill, a village which grew around a sacred image - the Madonna di Montenero.

You simply can't miss a visit to Florence if you're in the region, so take the SS67 eastbound from Pisa airport and you can be there in just over an hour. Famous for its architectural treasures, the Tuscan capital is also known as the birthplace of the Renaissance movement.

It's worth noting that many motorways in Italy have tolls. You can use the “pay with cash or credit card" lane if you do not have a Telepass or Viacard, but do be aware that not paying the toll could result in a fine.

Be sure to follow the parking regulations. White lines mean you are able to park for free, whereas blue lines indicate you must pay and display. Yellow lines mean the bay is reserved. If you've parked illegally, you could face a fine. You can more information about driving in Italy on our blog.

From world renowned sights to the mouth-watering cuisine providing a true taste of Italy, here are some of the essential places to visit while in Pisa.

The Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles

As the city's crowning glory, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a remarkable sight for anyone travelling to the city. Known in Italian as “torre pendente di Pisa", this awe-inspiring building leans at around 5.5 degrees, although it was actually never intended to be on an angle. Taking around 200 years to build, with construction starting in 1173, this medieval structure has 207 columns spread across eight floors, and a 297-step spiral staircase which you can ascend to reach the top.

While the tower may be the city's biggest draw for tourists, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Square of Miracles in which it stands has other fascinating sights to see. The cathedral is a major architectural monument, and an incredible example of Pisan-Romanesque architecture. The beautiful building's main architect is said to be buried to the left of the grey marble facade, under the last blind arch.

Classical paintings, relics and sculptures

Most of Pisa's museums and art galleries can be found in the city centre. The museum of ancient boats is the perfect place to go for naval enthusiasts as well as those with an interest in history. The museum opened as a result of the 1998 discovery of a number of perfectly-preserved vessels during renovation work in the city.

The National Museum of Saint Matthew stands on the River Arno, housed in the ancient convent of the nuns of San Matteo and houses paintings dating from the 12th and 18th centuries.

The Guarnacci is one of Europe's earliest public museums and houses impressive sculptures such as Urna degli sposi and Ombre della sera. Founded in the mid-18th century, this building offers two types of exhibitions, with older pieces surrounded by period furniture alongside more contemporary exhibits.

Exploring Florence

While Pisa is a beautiful city, the region's capital is also definitely worth visiting. Just a short drive along the SS67, Florence offers a wealth of architectural gems and fine art museums. Michelangelo's David statue can be found in the Galleria dell'Accademia. This amazing and iconic piece of art stands 13'5'' tall and is carved from marble.

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world's best art galleries, featuring pieces by Leonardo de Vinci and the Tondo Doni by Michelangelo. As well as stunning pieces from some of history's finest artists, the Uffizi also provides visitors with exceptional views across the River Arno.

If you're hiring a car from Pisa airport you'll find that there's more to the region than the city's amazing tower. Tuscany is a feast both for the eyes and the stomach – something you'll soon discover when you're out on the road and enjoying what the wonderful and varied Italian culture has to offer.