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

Should you visit Lyon or Pisa?

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

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

Lyon

Lyon is a cultural, quaint, and authentic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa

Pisa is a classic, charming, and iconic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lyon and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Pisa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than Pisa. Lyon is bigger than Pisa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lyon is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pisa is more popular for its beaches. Lyon is well known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Lyon different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon 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 Lyon are world-renowned. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

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 Lyon or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

For foodies, Lyon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Dining out in Pisa is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Lyon or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Both Lyon and Pisa are very good when it comes to partying.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

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.

Is Lyon or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lyon 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.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Lyon or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Lyon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

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 Lyon or Pisa?

Both Lyon and Pisa are very good shopping destinations.

Lyon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

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.

Is Lyon or Pisa Better for Families?

Lyon 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, Lyon is very family-friendly. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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 Lyon or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Lyon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

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 Lyon or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lyon and Pisa are very good destinations for backpackers.

Lyon is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and 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.

Is Lyon or Pisa Better for Students?

Lyon and Pisa are both fantastic destinations for students and younger travelers.

Lyon is a great destination for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

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.

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

Lyon is terrific 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 thorough and effecient public transit system of Lyon can take you anywhere. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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 Lyon or Pisa a more walkable city?

Lyon and Pisa both are very good when exploring on foot.

Lyon is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Pisa?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon 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 Lyon.

One day in Lyon or Pisa?

Lyon is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pisa. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Lyon or Pisa?

Lyon 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.

Pisa 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.

Five days in Lyon or Pisa?

Lyon is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the iconic destination of Pisa. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Lyon or Pisa?

The quaint city of Lyon offers nightlife and food. 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.

The world-famous city of Pisa offers nightlife and food. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Pisa?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Pisa. Many visitors come to Lyon in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pisa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In the summer, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Pisa in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Lyon is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Lyon gets 127 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. In October, Lyon usually receives less rain than Pisa. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Lyon during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Lyon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

The weather in Lyon can be very cold. In January, Lyon is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in January than Pisa. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Pisa. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Lyon is cooler than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Lyon gets 174 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, Lyon usually receives less rain than Pisa. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Lyon