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

Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a environmentally conscious, waterfront, and active city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Helsinki and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Pisa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pisa than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pisa is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while Helsinki is more popular for its impressive beauty. Pisa is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Also, Pisa is famous for The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Helsinki different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Helsinki and Pisa.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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 Helsinki or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pisa is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Pisa has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is Helsinki or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a city with good options for the beache. However, Helsinki 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.

Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Is Helsinki or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a very popular place for its old town. However, Helsinki 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.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Pisa?

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

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

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 Helsinki or Pisa Better for Families?

Helsinki 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, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Helsinki is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

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 Helsinki or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Is Helsinki or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Helsinki 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 Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

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 Helsinki or Pisa a more walkable city?

Pisa is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Pisa?

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

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

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

The beautiful city of Pisa offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Pisa?

Helsinki 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pisa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nature-focused destination of Helsinki. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Pisa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Pisa?

The nature-focused city of Helsinki 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.

Pisa is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Pisa?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Pisa in the Summer?

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

Helsinki is cooler than Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°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. In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Pisa. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Pisa. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping 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, Helsinki is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Helsinki usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Pisa in the Winter?

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

Helsinki can be very cold during winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Pisa. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Pisa in the Spring?

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

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Helsinki is much colder than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Helsinki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Helsinki gets 183 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. Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Helsinki gets 41 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 Helsinki