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

Should you visit Glasgow or Pisa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow 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.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a high energy, friendly, and cultural 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 world-famous, classic, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Glasgow than Pisa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Glasgow is more popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Pisa is known for its food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pisa is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Glasgow is popular for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also home to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

How is Glasgow different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Pisa and Glasgow.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Glasgow can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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 Glasgow or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pisa is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Pisa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Glasgow or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

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

Glasgow is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow or Pisa Better for Music?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Pisa is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Is Glasgow or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Pisa to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Many visitors go to Glasgow to see the historical old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Pisa?

Pisa is great for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Glasgow or Pisa Better for Families?

Glasgow and Pisa are both good destinations for the whole family.

Glasgow offers lots of family activities. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

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 Glasgow or Pisa Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Pisa are both good to visit as a couple.

Glasgow is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

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 Glasgow or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

Glasgow is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Is Glasgow or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

Glasgow is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Glasgow can get you around easily. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

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

Is Glasgow or Pisa a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Pisa are very good when it comes to walkability.

Glasgow is a very walkable destination. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Pisa?

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

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

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

In Pisa, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Glasgow or Pisa?

Glasgow 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.

In Pisa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pisa has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Pisa?

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy destination of Glasgow. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Pisa is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Glasgow or Pisa?

The friendly city of Glasgow offers shopping 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pisa. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Pisa?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Glasgow 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.

In July, Glasgow is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 15°C (59°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Pisa. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Pisa. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Glasgow or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Glasgow during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Pisa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Glasgow is much colder than Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. Glasgow usually gets more rain in October than Pisa. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Pisa. The winter months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. In the winter, Glasgow is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Glasgow in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Pisa. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Glasgow or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Pisa. The activities around the city are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Glasgow is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 7°C (45°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Glasgow usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Glasgow