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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa

Pisa is a classic, charming, and iconic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Galway and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Pisa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pisa than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Pisa is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Galway attracts visitors for its big city activities. Pisa is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also well known for The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Galway different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pisa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Pisa is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both Galway and Pisa.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Pisa has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Galway or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Pisa?

Pisa is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Pisa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Galway or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Galway and Pisa are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Pisa is a family-friendly city. 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 Galway or Pisa Better for Couples?

Both Galway and Pisa are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Galway is a nice destination for couples. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

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 Galway or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Galway and Pisa are excellent destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Many 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 Galway or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Both Galway and Pisa offer nice public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Pisa has some public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Galway or Pisa a more walkable city?

Galway and Pisa both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Galway?

How long in Galway or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Galway and Pisa. In our opinion, Pisa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pisa than Galway. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

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

Galway 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 Galway or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Galway. 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 Galway or Pisa?

The friendly city of Galway 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 iconic 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 Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Pisa. Many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Galway is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pisa. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Pisa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Galway is cooler than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Pisa. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Pisa. The spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Galway usually receives less rain than Pisa. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Galway