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

Should you visit Malaga or Pisa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Pisa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Malaga

Malaga is a beautiful, friendly, and welcoming port city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Malaga and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Pisa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Malaga than Pisa. Malaga is bigger than Pisa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Malaga is better known for its nightlife, music, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Pisa is more popular for its museums and shopping. Malaga is well known for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Also, Malaga is famous for The Alcazaba. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Malaga different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pisa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Pisa offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Malaga. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

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.

Is Malaga or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

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

Malaga is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

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 Malaga or Pisa Better for Music?

Malaga is a great port city for its live music scene. However, Pisa is not a live music destination.

Malaga has a thriving music scene. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Pisa is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Pisa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few good snorkeling spots. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Malaga and Pisa both offer notable beaches.

Malaga offers a nice beach destination. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

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.

Is Malaga or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the superb old town areas in both Malaga and Pisa.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Malaga. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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 Malaga or Pisa?

Pisa is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

Pisa is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Malaga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Is Malaga or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Malaga and Pisa are notable family-friendly destinations.

Malaga is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Pisa is a family-friendly port 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 Malaga or Pisa Better for Couples?

Malaga and Pisa both notable destinations for a couple.

Malaga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Pisa is a good port 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 Malaga or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Malaga is extremely popular for backpackers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Pisa is a very popular port city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Malaga or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Pisa is a very popular place to visit 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.

Malaga is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

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

Both Malaga and Pisa offer notable public transit options.

Malaga has a few public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

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

Is Malaga or Pisa a more walkable city?

Malaga and Pisa both are superb when exploring on foot.

Malaga is a very walkable port city. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Malaga and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than in Pisa. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

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

One day in Malaga or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Malaga. 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.

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 Malaga or Pisa?

Malaga is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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 Malaga or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the historic destination of Malaga. This port 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.

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 Malaga or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the welcoming port city of Malaga. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming 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 Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Pisa?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Pisa. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Malaga is around the same temperature as Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°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 Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Malaga is a little warmer than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Malaga gets 213 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, Malaga usually receives less rain than Pisa. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Malaga is generally much warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Pisa. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Pisa. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Malaga is a little warmer than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during spring. Malaga gets 220 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, Malaga usually receives less rain than Pisa. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Malaga