# Where can I get a current map of Pisa? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 17, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015 "2012-04-17T05:47:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/1 "2012-04-17T05:47:36Z")
We’re going to Italy next month. I need a map of the city of Pisa. I’d rather not print one off the internet, but as of now it seems I will have to. I went to 2 specialty map stores, the local AAA service, and checked many sites on the web. I have my map of Italy, Venice, Florence, and the greater Tuscany area. But nobody has a map of Pisa proper. There are some on Ebay but they are over 100 years old! WTF?😕 ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2012, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/2 "2012-04-17T06:03:31Z")
Have you tried contacting [the official tourism office for Pisa](http://www.pisaunicaterra.it/en/Information/iat-pisa-en.html)? Perhaps they will post you a printed map. Alternatively, if you’ve got a colour printer with decent dpi, the [PDF maps](http://www.pisaunicaterra.it/en/Information/Download-and-print/) on their website look like they contain sufficient detail for home printing (though some of them you may want to print in “poster” mode, splitting them over two or four pages). ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2012, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/3 "2012-04-17T06:53:20Z")
what sort of map do you want, and for what purpose? Street map, showing every single road in the area? Tourist map, showing the various places to visit? Where are you located? Most probably you could get one suiting your purpose as soon as you arrive. Do you really need it before you go? If so, why? ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2012, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/4 "2012-04-17T07:54:23Z")
Yeah. Do you want a road map for driving? If so, there are [plenty of road atlases you could buy](http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=italy+road+map&x=0&y=0&sprefix=italy+roadmap%2Caps%2C246). The big spiral-bound ones will have city maps at a scale sufficient for navigating the major roads. Online booksellers should carry Michelin folded maps of individual cities, [including Pisa](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pisa-000-Stadtplan-Localkarte-Michelin/dp/206713793X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334649210&sr=1-2). ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/5 "2012-04-17T14:38:08Z")
Order one [here.](http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/italy2.htm#p17) But Pisa’s just not that big. Printing your own would probably be sufficient, unless you’re driving there. If you are, just visit the Touring Club Italiano office in the first big city you find, AAA card in hand. You’ll be able to depart with a bag full of good maps. You’ll also find city maps at any newsstand in the region. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/6 "2012-04-17T15:16:39Z")
Yeah, Pisa’s not big-- I think my Florence map has an inset with central Pisa. You can pretty much dead-reckon your way between the train station and the cathedral complex. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/7 "2012-04-18T01:10:34Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Do you really need it before you go? If so, why? Yes. I want to do my planning using the actual map that I will have with me while I am there. Being acclimated to the map before I go will make it easier to use the map while I’m there. I’ve been to all 50 states and over 2 dozen countries and I’ve always done this. It has made traveling to places I haven’t been to yet easier. Does that really seem so odd?😕🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/8 "2012-04-18T02:26:01Z")
But you still haven’t said what type of map you want, and for what purpose. You might want: 1. A map showing every single street in the town 2. A map showing the main tourist spots, and how to get between them by bus 3. A surveyors map showing the precise geography and elevation of the area. There are many different types of map, and specifying which one you want will help us help you. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/9 "2012-04-18T06:05:50Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > You might want: > > 1. A map showing every single street in the town > > 2. A map showing the main tourist spots, and how to get between them by bus > > 3. A surveyors map showing the precise geography and elevation of the area. Yes. But, for the most part, I want a street map. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/10 "2012-04-18T06:31:47Z")
Will this do? [http://www.amazon.com/Pisa-Tuscany-Italy-Street-DeAGOSTINI/dp/8899101124/ref=sr\_1\_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334730557&sr=8-3](http://www.amazon.com/Pisa-Tuscany-Italy-Street-DeAGOSTINI/dp/8899101124/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334730557&sr=8-3) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/11 "2012-04-18T17:33:39Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Will this do? > > [http://www.amazon.com/Pisa-Tuscany-Italy-Street-DeAGOSTINI/dp/8899101124/ref=sr\_1\_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334730557&sr=8-3](http://www.amazon.com/Pisa-Tuscany-Italy-Street-DeAGOSTINI/dp/8899101124/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334730557&sr=8-3) That looks like what I want. Thanks. But I wonder why the specialty map stores and web sites I went to didn’t have any. ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/12 "2012-04-18T18:04:14Z")
If you have an iPhone (or perhaps something similar) I have had great success with MotionX GPS. It is an [app](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/motionx-gps/id299949744?mt=8) where you can download an area’s maps ahead of time (so you don’t need to be connected to the internet!). The GPS function on the phone then can then tell you where you are. Try it ahead of time to get your points of interest selected and your preferred resolution. I have also had good luck with the PDF of the public transportation system. For instance [Amsterdam’s](http://www.gvb.nl/reisinformatie/plattegronden/Documents/trammetrokaart.pdf), but I can’t find one for Pisa right now. But I did find some websites using Google Images that have different versions of maps. A lot of these look like they’ll be available at the front desk of every hotel. I think the problem was nailed by **Mr. Downtown** in that Pisa is really small- I had a similar problem with Verona- compact city centers with most things close together such that a map really isn’t necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/13 "2012-04-19T02:58:26Z")
What “specialty map stores and web sites” did you go to? I think there are only a half-dozen “map stores” left in the US, and only two online retailers. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/14 "2012-04-19T04:23:19Z")
> [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > What “specialty map stores and web sites” did you go to? I think there are only a half-dozen “map stores” left in the US, and only two online retailers. > **[Maps.com | Maps about Trending Topics](https://www.maps.com/)** > > Maps.com is your guide to exploring our world through maps. Discover trending maps about topics like climate change, social issues, infrastructure, equity, public policy & more. [http://store.usgs.gov/b2c\_usgs/b2c/start/(xcm=r3standardpitrex\_prd)/.do;jsessionid=(J2EE8933300)ID1332945552DB11272113888334207607End;saplb\_\*=(J2EE8933300)8933352](http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/b2c/start/%28xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd%29/.do;jsessionid=%28J2EE8933300%29ID1332945552DB11272113888334207607End;saplb_*=%28J2EE8933300%298933352) [https://buy.garmin.com/shop/buymaps.do?null&ra=true](https://buy.garmin.com/shop/buymaps.do?null&ra=true) > **[Buy Zip Code Maps, Wall Maps for Office & Home Decor](https://www.maptrove.com/)** > > Buy maps from our online map store that features US state maps, Zip code maps, country maps, custom maps, etc. Get these delivered locally to your doorsteps. And [THIS](http://www.mapservice.com/contactus.shtm) is a specialty store located here in the Milwaukee area. They had street maps for Venice and Florence, but none for Pisa. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-current-map-of-pisa/619015/15 "2012-04-19T14:11:30Z")
Ah. As you learned, only one of those places actually sells printed maps. You thought the _United States Geological Survey_ was a potential vendor for maps of Pisa? Unfortunately, the folded paper map market is dying rapidly. You’re lucky to still have Milwaukee Map Service; no map stores at all remain in Chicago. Because I draw maps, my business is in the phone book under Maps and Globes and I get the funniest calls, from people who are utterly mystified that there isn’t a store stocking up-to-date maps of provinces in Namibia on the off chance that they might walk in one day and give $4 for one of them. Even London is down to just one map store (Stanhope’s) and they obviously make most of their money on general books and travel accessories rather than maps. The two big sources in the US are [Omnimap](http://www.omnimap.com/base/Maps-Menu.html) and [TrekTools](http://www.trektools.com/)—and TrekTools is the result of MapLink’s bankruptcy a couple of years ago.