A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. Pisa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Alicante or Pisa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Pisa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a authentic, vibrant, and cultural city. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Pisa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pisa than Alicante. While Alicante is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Also, Pisa is famous for The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Alicante is well known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Alicante different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pisa and Alicante. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alicante or Pisa?

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Alicante and Pisa.

Many visitors head to Alicante specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pisa can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Is the Food Better in Alicante or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Alicante and Pisa.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Alicante. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Pisa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Is Alicante or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Pisa is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

If you're looking for night time activities Alicante has a few options to choose from. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

Is Alicante or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Alicante and Pisa are notable choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Alicante to enjoy the beach. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

Pisa has a beach worth visiting. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

Is Alicante or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is well known for its old town. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Pisa. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Alicante has an old town worth visiting. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Pisa?

Pisa is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Pisa is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

Alicante has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Is Alicante or Pisa Better for Families?

Alicante is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Alicante is very family-friendly. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

Pisa is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

Is Alicante or Pisa Better for Couples?

Alicante is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Alicante is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

Pisa is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Alicante or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is well known for backpackers. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pisa is a great city to visit for backpackers. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

It's common for backpackers to visit Alicante. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

Is Alicante or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is terrific for students. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Pisa. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

It's common for students to visit Alicante. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

Is Alicante or Pisa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Alicante and Pisa.

You'll find some public transit in Alicante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

While Pisa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Alicante or Pisa a more walkable city?

Pisa is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Pisa is a very walkable city. The city is a great place to explore on foot.

Alicante is a somewhat walkable city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Alicante Worth Visiting? and Is Pisa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alicante and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alicante than in Pisa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alicante, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

Families should spend more time in Alicante than Pisa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Alicante, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pisa than Alicante if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Pisa.

One day in Alicante or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Alicante. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful city of Pisa offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Alicante or Pisa?

Alicante is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pisa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pisa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of Alicante. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Pisa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Alicante or Pisa?

The vibrant city of Alicante offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Pisa is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Pisa, we can see that Alicante is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alicante Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Pisa?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Pisa, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Alicante or Pisa?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Alicante or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Alicante during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Alicante is around the same temperature as Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Pisa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Pisa. The autumn months attract visitors to Alicante because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In the autumn, Alicante is a little warmer than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alicante in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Pisa. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Pisa. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Alicante is generally much warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 11°C (52°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Pisa. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Alicante is a little warmer than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Pisa. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Alicante