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

Should you visit Avignon or Pisa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Avignon and Pisa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Avignon

Avignon is a charming, scenic, and picturesque town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Avignon and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avignon or Pisa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pisa. Although Avignon and Pisa are both popular with visitors, Pisa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pisa is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Pisa is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Avignon different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Avignon 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 Avignon are world-renowned. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

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 Avignon or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Avignon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Dining out in Pisa is an experience not to be missed. 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 Avignon or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Pisa has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Avignon or Pisa Better for Beaches?

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

Pisa offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Avignon or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Avignon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

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 Avignon or Pisa?

Pisa is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Avignon or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Avignon and Pisa are good family-friendly destinations.

Avignon is a family-friendly town. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

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.

Is Avignon or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Avignon is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

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 Avignon or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Pisa. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Is Avignon or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Pisa is a very popular place to visit for students. 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.

Avignon is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Avignon and Pisa.

Avignon has some public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

You'll find some public transit in Pisa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Avignon or Pisa a more walkable city?

Avignon is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Avignon is a very easy town to get around on foot. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Avignon?

How long in Avignon or Pisa?

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

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

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

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

Avignon is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. 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, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Avignon or Pisa?

Avignon is a fun place to experience. 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.

In Pisa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pisa has to offer.

Five days in Avignon or Pisa?

Avignon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Avignon or Pisa?

Because Avignon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pisa. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in 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 Avignon and Pisa, we can see that Avignon 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 Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon 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 Avignon Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Avignon or Pisa?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Avignon 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 Avignon or Pisa?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Avignon or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Pisa. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Avignon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during summer. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Avignon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pisa. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Avignon or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Pisa. Many travelers come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, many visitors come to Pisa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Avignon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Avignon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Avignon usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Avignon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Avignon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pisa. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Avignon or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Avignon during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Avignon. In the spring, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Avignon usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Avignon