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

Should you visit Bruges 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 Bruges 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.

Bruges

Bruges is a cultural, beautiful, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa

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

Bruges and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Pisa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pisa than Bruges. While Bruges is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pisa is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Bruges is known for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Pisa and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. 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 Bruges different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Pisa and Bruges.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bruges. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

Pisa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Bruges or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bruges and Pisa offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

Bruges has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

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.

Is Bruges or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is great for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Pisa for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Is Bruges or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a good destination for the beach. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Bruges has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

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 Bruges or Pisa?

Pisa is great for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Bruges is a great destination for shopping. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Bruges or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Pisa are good family-friendly destinations.

Bruges offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

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 Bruges or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Bruges is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

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 Bruges or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bruges and Pisa are superb places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

Backpackers come from all over to 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 Bruges or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bruges and Pisa both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

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 Bruges or Pisa a more walkable city?

Bruges 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.

Bruges is a very easy city to get around on foot. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored 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 Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is Pisa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Pisa?

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

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

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Pisa?

Bruges 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bruges or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bruges. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bruges or Pisa?

The cultural city of Bruges 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Pisa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Bruges and Pisa, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Pisa?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Bruges 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 Bruges 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 Bruges or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bruges is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Pisa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives more rain than Pisa. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Bruges during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pisa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Bruges is cooler than Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bruges usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Pisa. Many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bruges is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives less rain than Pisa. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Pisa. Most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Bruges is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 8°C (47°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Bruges usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Bruges