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

Should you visit Arles 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 Arles and Pisa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pisa than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pisa is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Arles is known for its museums and historical sights. Pisa is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Arles different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arles is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Arles are world-renowned. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Many visitors head to Pisa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Arles or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Arles and Pisa can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Pisa. 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 Arles or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Arles or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is very good for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Pisa to enjoy the beach. 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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Arles or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Arles is terrific for its old town. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Arles has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Pisa?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Pisa. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Arles or Pisa Better for Families?

Pisa is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pisa. 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Arles or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Pisa is a good town 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 Arles or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pisa is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Arles or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is an unbeatable place for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

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.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Arles 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 Arles and Pisa.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

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 Arles or Pisa a more walkable city?

Arles and Pisa both are great when exploring on foot.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Arles?

How long in Arles or Pisa?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Arles than Pisa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arles that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pisa than Arles 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 Arles or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Pisa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this classic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Arles or Pisa?

Arles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Arles or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Arles. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Pisa is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pisa. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Arles or Pisa?

The compact town of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the world-famous destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arles and Pisa, we can see that Arles is more expensive. And not only is Pisa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pisa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pisa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Arles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arles than you might in Pisa.

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

Which is Bigger, Arles or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles 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 Arles 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 Arles or Pisa in the Summer?

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

In July, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 24°C (75°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Pisa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Arles. In the summer, Arles often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Pisa. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Pisa in the Autumn?

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

Arles is around the same temperature as Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Arles usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during autumn. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Arles usually receives less rain than Pisa. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arles or Pisa in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Arles is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arles in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Arles often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pisa. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Pisa in the Spring?

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

In April, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 13°C (56°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during spring. Arles gets 218 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, Arles usually receives less rain than Pisa. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Arles