Self-Guided Pisa Food Walk

The Self-Guided Pisa Food Walk is a do-it-yourself route through central Pisa, in the Tuscany region of Italy, that mirrors the stops of the guided food tours and has no operator. It takes about three to four hours and costs roughly €15 to €30 (about $17 to $35) per person, depending on how much is ordered. The route starts in the morning at the Mercato delle Vettovaglie in Piazza delle Vettovaglie, which is best reached before 10:30AM so that the market stalls are open. From there, the first tasting is a cecina in schiacciata, a chickpea flatbread served in focaccia, at Pizzeria Il Montino on Vicolo del Monte 1 (+39 050 598695). Cecina is best eaten on the spot while hot, and the pizzeria is closed on Sundays, so the walk works better on other days. The next stop is Pasticceria Salza at Borgo Stretto 46, where visitors can taste torta coi bischeri, a traditional Pisan pastry, or another pastry. Borgo Stretto is one of the city's main arcaded streets and gives the walk a historic centre atmosphere. The route then returns to Piazza delle Vettovaglie for an aperitivo, using the market square's bars and cafes. The final stop is Gelateria De' Coltelli at Lungarno Pacinotti 23, on the Arno embankment, for gelato flavoured with pinoli di San Rossore, the pine nuts associated with the nearby regional park. The balance of the walk is two savoury stops and an aperitivo against two sweet ones. Because it is unguided, the pace is entirely flexible, group size is whatever the walkers choose, and language is not an issue. Dietary substitutions are the visitor's own responsibility, and vegetarians can skip nothing essential but should note that cecina is vegan while the pastry and gelato contain dairy or eggs. Opening hours should be checked before setting out, since small venues may change them. The walk suits independent travellers who want a low-cost way to sample Pisa's specialities.