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

Should you visit Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Carcassonne and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pisa. Although Carcassonne and Pisa are popular destinations, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its small town charm. Carcassonne is famous for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Pisa is famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also well known for The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Carcassonne different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Carcassonne or Pisa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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 Carcassonne or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Carcassonne and Pisa offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Pisa. 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 Carcassonne or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Pisa has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a good destination for its beaches. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Carcassonne or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a very popular place for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Pisa?

Pisa is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Carcassonne and Pisa are nice family-friendly destinations.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly town. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pisa. 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 Carcassonne or Pisa Better for Couples?

Carcassonne and Pisa both nice destinations for a couple.

Carcassonne is a nice destination for couples. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

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 Carcassonne or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne and Pisa are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Carcassonne is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Pisa is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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 Carcassonne or Pisa Better for Students?

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

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Carcassonne and Pisa.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

You'll find some public transit in Pisa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Carcassonne or Pisa a more walkable city?

Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is a very easy town to get around on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting? and Is Pisa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Carcassonne and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pisa than in Carcassonne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Carcassonne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

Families should spend more time in Pisa than Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Carcassonne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the iconic city of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Pisa?

Carcassonne 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the classic destination of Pisa. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Carcassonne or Pisa?

You'll find museums and food around the medieval destination of Carcassonne. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The iconic city of Pisa offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Carcassonne or Pisa?

The historical town of Carcassonne offers food and museums. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pisa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Pisa. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carcassonne in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Pisa. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Pisa. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Pisa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 17°C (62°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Carcassonne usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Carcassonne is a little warmer than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Pisa. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Carcassonne during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carcassonne in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Carcassonne usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Carcassonne