The Royal Victoria is a piece of Pisa’s history you can sleep in, at a price that won’t hurt. Pasquale Piegaja bought the building on Lungarno Pacinotti in 1837 and opened it as the Royal Victoria Hotel in 1839, and it is still run by the Piegaja family today. The site itself has been used as a guesthouse since the Middle Ages. Over almost two centuries the hotel has welcomed Charles Dickens, Mary Shelley, Virginia Woolf, Gabriele D’Annunzio and Guglielmo Marconi, whose family returned for three generations. Two rooms are named after Marconi and D’Annunzio. The building looks straight onto the Arno, and the best rooms are the Classic River rooms facing the water. Inside, the decor is old-fashioned in the best sense, with period furnishings and salons once frequented by Puccini. A buffet breakfast is included, and there is a terrace, a bar and limited parking.
Location and getting around: the hotel stands on the north bank of the Arno, between Ponte di Mezzo and Ponte Solferino, about two minutes from the main university building. The Leaning Tower is around an eleven-minute walk, Piazza dei Cavalieri is closer still, and Borgo Stretto and the riverside bars are on your doorstep. Pisa Centrale is about thirteen minutes on foot, and the airport around fifteen minutes by car.
The rooms: categories run from Standard and Classic rooms to Classic River rooms with Arno views and a Junior Suite. Rooms vary a lot in size and character, because this is a historic building rather than a modern hotel, so read the room descriptions carefully and ask for a river view if it matters.
Who it suits: travellers on a moderate budget who prefer atmosphere and history to sleek design, literature lovers, and anyone who wants to walk everywhere in Pisa, including to the tower.
Good to know: parking is limited and charged per day, so reserve it in advance. Check-in starts in mid-afternoon, and late check-out is available for a fee if rooms allow. Expect the charm and quirks of an old house, such as traditional bathrooms and varying room sizes.
Why stay here
- ✓Buffet breakfast included
- ✓Arno river-view rooms
- ✓Historic salons
- ✓Terrace
- ✓Bar
- ✓Limited paid parking
- ✓Pets welcome
- ✓Free WiFi
Good questions
Is the Royal Victoria the oldest hotel in Pisa?+
It opened as the Royal Victoria Hotel in 1839 and has been run by the Piegaja family ever since. The building was used as a guesthouse long before that.
Do rooms at the Royal Victoria have river views?+
The Classic River rooms face the Arno. Other categories look onto the side streets, so book a river room if the view matters.
Does the Royal Victoria Hotel have parking?+
Yes, but spaces are limited and charged per day. Reserve a space in advance.