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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Pisa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Pisa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and theater.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Edinburgh and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Pisa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Pisa. Edinburgh is bigger than Pisa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Pisa is more popular for its food and beaches. Edinburgh is more touristy than Pisa and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Edinburgh different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Pisa Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for its theatre productions. However, Pisa is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Pisa is not a theatre destination.

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

Pisa is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Pisa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Pisa.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Pisa Better for Music?

Edinburgh is terrific for its live music scene. However, Pisa is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Edinburgh. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Pisa is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a city with good options for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Pisa. 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.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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 Edinburgh or Pisa?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Edinburgh and Pisa.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Pisa Better for Families?

Edinburgh 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, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Edinburgh is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Pisa is a very popular city 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.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Edinburgh and Pisa.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

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 Edinburgh or Pisa a more walkable city?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Pisa?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Pisa 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pisa. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pisa has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Pisa?

Edinburgh 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the classic destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Edinburgh. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the iconic city of Pisa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Edinburgh or Pisa?

The ancient city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. 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.

Pisa is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Pisa?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Pisa. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is much colder than Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Pisa. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Pisa. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pisa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Pisa. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

Edinburgh is much colder than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Edinburgh gets 132 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. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Edinburgh