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

Should you visit Bern or Pisa?

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

Should I visit Bern or Pisa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bern

Bern is a cultural, historic, and charming city. 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 classic, charming, and iconic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Pisa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pisa than Bern. While Bern is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also well known for The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Bern different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Bern and Pisa have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

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 Bern or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pisa is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pisa makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Pisa is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the high quality old towns in both Bern and Pisa.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bern. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

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 Bern or Pisa?

Both Bern and Pisa are high quality shopping destinations.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Pisa is well-known for its shopping. 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 Bern or Pisa Better for Families?

Bern 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, Bern is very family-friendly. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

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 Bern or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Bern is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

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 Bern or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Pisa are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Many 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.

Is Bern or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent 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.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern 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 Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

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 Bern or Pisa a more walkable city?

Bern and Pisa both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Bern is very walkable. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Bern?

How long in Bern or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bern and Pisa. In our opinion, Pisa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pisa than Bern. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bern. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pisa. 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.

A weekend in Bern or Pisa?

Bern 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.

Pisa 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.

Five days in Bern or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bern. This city 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the iconic destination of Pisa. This city 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.

A week in Bern or Pisa?

The historic city of Bern 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.

The world-famous city of Pisa 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Pisa?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern 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 Bern or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Pisa. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In the summer, Bern is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°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 Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Bern gets 126 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, Bern usually receives less rain than Pisa. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. Bern is much colder than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in January than Pisa. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Pisa. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Bern is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Bern gets 164 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, Bern usually receives less rain than Pisa. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Bern