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

Should you visit Montpellier 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 Montpellier 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.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Montpellier and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Pisa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pisa than Montpellier. While Montpellier is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is more popular for its food and nightlife, while Montpellier is known for its beaches and historical sights. Pisa is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Montpellier different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Montpellier or Pisa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Montpellier. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Pisa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Montpellier or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pisa is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Montpellier or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Montpellier or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a great city for the beache. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Many people head to Pisa to enjoy the beach. 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 Montpellier or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Montpellier has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

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 Montpellier or Pisa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pisa and Montpellier.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

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.

Is Montpellier or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Montpellier and Pisa are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Montpellier. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Pisa offers lots of family activities. 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 Montpellier or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Montpellier is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

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 Montpellier or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier and Pisa are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montpellier is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Pisa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Montpellier or Pisa Better for Students?

Montpellier and Pisa are amazing places to visit for students.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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.

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier can get you around easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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 Montpellier or Pisa a more walkable city?

Montpellier and Pisa both are superb when exploring on foot.

Montpellier is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Montpellier and Pisa. In our opinion, Montpellier has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Montpellier than Pisa. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Montpellier or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Montpellier. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the world-famous city of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Montpellier or Pisa?

Montpellier is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the iconic destination of Pisa. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Montpellier or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Montpellier. 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.

The iconic city of Pisa offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Montpellier or Pisa?

The historic city of Montpellier 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pisa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Pisa?

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

Both Pisa and Montpellier during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Montpellier is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 23°C (73°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Pisa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montpellier. In the summer, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Pisa. Many travelers come to Montpellier for the shopping 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.

Montpellier is around the same temperature as Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Montpellier usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during autumn. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montpellier gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Pisa. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Montpellier or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Pisa. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the winter for the museums, 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 the winter, Montpellier is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montpellier in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pisa. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Montpellier 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.

In April, Montpellier is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 13°C (55°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during spring. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In April, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Pisa. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Montpellier