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

Should you visit Calais or Pisa?

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

Should I visit Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Calais and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pisa than Calais, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pisa is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais is known for its big city activities. Pisa is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Calais different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pisa is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Calais or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pisa is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Pisa is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Calais or Pisa Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Calais and Pisa are good choices.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Many people head to Pisa to enjoy the beach. 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 Calais or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Pisa. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Pisa?

Pisa is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Calais or Pisa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Calais or Pisa.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

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 Calais or Pisa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Calais and Pisa make for a good place to visit.

Calais is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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 Calais or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Calais or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is a must-visit destination for students. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and Pisa.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

While Pisa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Calais or Pisa a more walkable city?

Pisa is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Calais?

How long in Calais or Pisa?

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

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

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

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

Calais is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Calais or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Calais. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Calais or Pisa?

The undiscovered city of Calais offers nightlife and food. 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 Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Calais and Pisa, we can see that Calais 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 Calais Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Calais or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais 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 Calais or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Calais during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In July, Calais is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°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 Calais. In the summer, Calais often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Pisa. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Calais gets 119 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, Calais usually receives less rain than Pisa. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Calais or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Calais as well as Pisa. Many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Calais. In the winter, Calais is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Calais often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in January than Pisa. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Calais is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Calais gets 162 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, Calais usually receives less rain than Pisa. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Calais