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

Should you visit Nantes or Pisa?

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

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

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nantes and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Pisa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pisa than Nantes. While Nantes is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pisa is more popular for its beaches and historical sights, while Nantes is known for its food. Pisa is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Nantes different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Pisa and Nantes.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Nantes or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes 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, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nantes and Pisa.

Nantes has a large number of nightlife venues. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Pisa is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Nantes or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes 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.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Nantes or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Pisa to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Pisa?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Nantes and Pisa.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Pisa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Nantes or Pisa Better for Families?

Nantes 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, Nantes is very family-friendly. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Nantes is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for 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.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Nantes or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Pisa is a great destination 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.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

Nantes 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 Nantes can get you around easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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 Nantes or Pisa a more walkable city?

Nantes and Pisa are very good when it comes to walkability.

Nantes is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nantes and Pisa. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nantes. 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 Nantes or Pisa?

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 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 Nantes or Pisa?

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

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 Nantes or Pisa?

The vibrant city of Nantes 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the classic 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Nantes 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 Nantes Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Pisa?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Pisa. Many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Nantes is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 19°C (67°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In Nantes, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives more rain than Pisa. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Pisa. Most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Pisa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Nantes is cooler than Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Nantes usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Nantes 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.

In the winter, Nantes is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nantes in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Pisa. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Nantes during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Nantes is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 11°C (51°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Nantes gets 187 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. Nantes usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Nantes