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

Should you visit Granada or Pisa?

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

Should I visit Granada or Pisa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Granada

Granada is a cultural, historic, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, 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 beaches, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Pisa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Granada than Pisa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Granada is very popular for its museums, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Pisa attracts visitors for its food, beaches, and shopping. Granada is famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also well known for The Alhambra. Pisa is famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Granada different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Granada 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 Granada are world-renowned. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

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

Pisa is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Both Granada and Pisa have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

Granada has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

The people in Pisa know how to have a good time. 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 Granada or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a popular place for its beaches. However, Granada is not a beach destination.

Pisa is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Granada or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Granada has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

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 Granada or Pisa Better for Hiking?

Granada is a great city for hiking. However, Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Granada for the hiking trails. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Pisa?

Pisa is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Is Granada or Pisa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Pisa.

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

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 Granada or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Granada is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

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 Granada or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada and Pisa are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Pisa is a great city 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 Granada or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Pisa. 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.

Granada is very popular with students. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

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

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

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

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 Granada or Pisa a more walkable city?

Granada and Pisa are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Granada is very walkable. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Granada?

How long in Granada or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Pisa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pisa than Granada 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 Granada or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Granada. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Granada or Pisa?

Granada is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

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 Granada or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Granada. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Granada or Pisa?

The cultural city of Granada offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Pisa?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada 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 Granada or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Pisa. The summer months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In the summer, Granada is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°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 Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during summer. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Pisa. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Granada or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Granada as well as Pisa. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Granada is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the autumn, Granada often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Granada usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Granada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Granada is much warmer than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Granada usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Granada usually receives more rain than Pisa. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Granada or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Granada during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Granada in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Granada is a little warmer than Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. In the spring, Granada often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Granada gets 220 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. Granada usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Granada 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 Granada