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

Should you visit Beijing 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 Beijing 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.

Beijing

Beijing is a jam-packed, cultural, and fascinating city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Beijing is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Beijing travel costs.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. With stunning beauty, Pisa attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Pisa travel costs.

Beijing and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Pisa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and big city activities, while Pisa is known for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Pisa and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. Pisa is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Beijing different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beijing 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 Beijing are world-renowned. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

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 Beijing or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beijing 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, Beijing is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

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 Beijing or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Pisa has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Beijing know how to have a good time. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

The nightlife in Pisa has something for everybody. 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 Beijing or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a city with good options for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Pisa. 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.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Pisa is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Pisa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pisa and Beijing.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Beijing or Pisa More Beautiful?

Pisa is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Pisa attracts visitors from all around. While most people think of the city's iconic Leaning Tower, the city itself is filled with its own beauty and charm.

Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Is Beijing or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Pisa are good to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Beijing. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Pisa offers lots of family activities. 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 Beijing or Pisa Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Pisa are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Beijing is a good city for couples to visit. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Pisa is a nice destination for couples. 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 Beijing or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Pisa are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Pisa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Beijing or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Pisa is a very popular city 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.

Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

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

Beijing 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 Beijing can get you around easily. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

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 Beijing or Pisa a more walkable city?

Pisa is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Pisa?

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

Families should spend more time in Pisa than Beijing. 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.

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

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

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 Beijing or Pisa?

Beijing is a fun place to experience. 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.

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 Beijing or Pisa?

Beijing is a jam-packed big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Beijing or Pisa?

Beijing is a fascinating city where you can fill many days. 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.

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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Pisa, we can see that Pisa is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Pisa is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Pisa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pisa than you might in Beijing.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Pisa?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing 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 Beijing or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°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 Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Pisa. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping 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.

Beijing is cooler than Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Beijing gets 227 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, Beijing usually receives less rain than Pisa. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Pisa. Most visitors come to Beijing 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.

Beijing can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Pisa. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of 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 April, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during spring. Beijing gets 247 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, Beijing usually receives less rain than Pisa. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Beijing