A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nice vs. Pisa for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Nice 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 Nice 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.

Nice

Nice is a beautiful, opulent, and trendy seaside destination. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

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 nightlife, food, and beaches.

Nice and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Pisa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nice than Pisa. Nice is bigger than Pisa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nice is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pisa is more popular for its museums. Nice is more touristy than Pisa and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Also, Nice is famous for The Promenade des Anglais. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Nice different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice 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, Nice is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

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 Nice or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

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

Nice is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice or Pisa Better for Resorts?

Nice is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Pisa is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Nice is a great choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Pisa is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Pisa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Nice has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Pisa Better for Beaches?

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

Nice is considered a top beach destination. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

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 Nice or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Both Nice and Pisa have excellent historic old towns worth visiting.

Nice is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

There are many historical things to see 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 Nice or Pisa?

Both Nice and Pisa are excellent shopping destinations.

Nice is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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 Nice or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Nice and Pisa are notable to visit with kids.

Nice is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Pisa is a family-friendly seaside destination. 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 Nice or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Nice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Pisa is a good seaside destination 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 Nice or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pisa is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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 Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

Is Nice or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is renowned for students. However, Nice is not popular with 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.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Nice is a great seaside destination 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 Nice can get you around easily. There are both buses and trams.

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 Nice or Pisa a more walkable city?

Nice is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Nice is a very easy seaside destination to get around on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Nice?

How long in Nice or Pisa?

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

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

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

One day in Nice or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Nice. 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 Nice or Pisa?

Nice is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 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 Nice or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the beautiful destination of Nice. This seaside destination 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 charming 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 Nice or Pisa?

The opulent seaside destination of Nice 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 classic 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 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 Nice and Pisa, we can see that Nice 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 Nice Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nice or Pisa?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Nice 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 Nice 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 Nice or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nice as well as Pisa. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Nice usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Nice is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nice in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. It's quite rainy in Nice. In October, Nice usually receives less rain than Pisa. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nice or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Nice during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nice for 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.

In January, Nice is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 9°C (48°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Nice usually gets more rain in January than Pisa. Nice 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 Nice or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Pisa. The spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

Nice is around the same temperature as Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Nice usually receives less rain than Pisa. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Nice