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

Should you visit Dublin or Pisa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Pisa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dublin and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Pisa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dublin than Pisa. Dublin is bigger than Pisa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dublin is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Pisa is more popular for its food, beaches, and impressive beauty. Dublin is well known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. Also, Dublin is famous for The Guinness Storehouse. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Dublin different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Dublin and Pisa.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Pisa. 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 Dublin or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pisa is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Dublin or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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.

Is Dublin or Pisa Better for Music?

Dublin is a great city for its live music scene. However, Pisa is not a live music destination.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Pisa is not a live music destination.

Is Dublin or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Dublin is not a beach destination.

Pisa has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Dublin or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Dublin and Pisa both have very good historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Pisa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pisa and Dublin.

Dublin is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

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.

Is Dublin or Pisa Better for Families?

Dublin 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, Dublin is very family-friendly. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

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 Dublin or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Dublin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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 Dublin or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin and Pisa are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dublin is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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 Dublin or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Pisa is a great destination 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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Is Dublin 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 Dublin and Pisa.

You'll find some public transit in Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

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 Dublin or Pisa a more walkable city?

Dublin 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.

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center 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 Dublin Worth Visiting? and Is Pisa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dublin and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than in Pisa. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Dublin, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

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

One day in Dublin or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Dublin. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Dublin or Pisa?

Dublin is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Dublin or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the friendly destination of Dublin. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Dublin or Pisa?

The fun city of Dublin offers shopping and museums. 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 classic 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Pisa?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Dublin during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dublin is cooler than Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Pisa, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Pisa. Most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Pisa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dublin is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dublin in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Dublin gets 97 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, Dublin usually receives less rain than Pisa. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dublin or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Pisa. The winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In January, Dublin is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 6°C (42°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pisa. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dublin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Dublin is much colder than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Dublin gets 157 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, Dublin usually receives less rain than Pisa. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Dublin