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

Should you visit Barcelona or Pisa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Barcelona and Pisa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a friendly, high energy, and youthful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Pisa

Pisa is a classic, charming, and iconic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Barcelona and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Barcelona or Pisa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Barcelona than Pisa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Barcelona is more touristy than Pisa and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also well known for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Pisa is famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Barcelona different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Barcelona and Pisa have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Barcelona. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Pisa. 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 Barcelona or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Barcelona and Pisa.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Barcelona makes for a great culinary experience. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Pisa has a huge number of terrific 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 Barcelona or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Barcelona is a must-see party destination. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

Pisa offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Is Barcelona or Pisa Better for Music?

Barcelona is terrific for its live music scene. However, Pisa is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Barcelona. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Pisa is not a live music destination.

Is Barcelona or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Both Barcelona and Pisa are considered to be nice beach destinations.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Barcelona. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

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.

Is Barcelona or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Both Barcelona and Pisa have excellent historic old towns worth visiting.

Barcelona is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

There are many historical things to see 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 Barcelona or Pisa?

Barcelona is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Barcelona draws large crowds to its stores. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

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.

Is Barcelona or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Barcelona and Pisa are nice to visit with kids.

Barcelona is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Pisa is a family-friendly city. 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 Barcelona or Pisa Better for Couples?

Both Barcelona and Pisa are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Barcelona is a nice destination for couples. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Pisa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Barcelona or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Barcelona is extremely popular for backpackers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

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.

Is Barcelona or Pisa Better for Students?

Barcelona and Pisa are both terrific destinations for students and younger travelers.

Barcelona is a very popular city for students. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

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.

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

Barcelona is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Barcelona can get you around easily. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Pisa has a few public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Barcelona or Pisa a more walkable city?

Pisa is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Barcelona and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Pisa. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Barcelona, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Pisa 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 Barcelona.

One day in Barcelona or Pisa?

Barcelona is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pisa. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pisa has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Barcelona or Pisa?

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the iconic destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or Pisa?

Barcelona is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the iconic city of Pisa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Barcelona or Pisa?

Barcelona is a cultural city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Pisa is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Barcelona and Pisa, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Barcelona Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Barcelona or Pisa?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona 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 Barcelona 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 Barcelona or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Pisa. Many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Barcelona is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Barcelona in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pisa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In the summer, Barcelona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Barcelona in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 17°C (63°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In October, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Pisa. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Barcelona or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Barcelona during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pisa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Barcelona is a little warmer than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

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

Barcelona usually gets less rain in January than Pisa. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Pisa. The spring months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In the spring, Barcelona is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Barcelona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Pisa. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Barcelona