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

Should you visit Oxford or Pisa?

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

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

Oxford

Oxford is a historic, scholarly, and collegiate college town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Oxford and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Pisa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pisa than Oxford. While Oxford is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pisa is very popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Oxford attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Pisa is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also well known for The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Oxford different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Oxford or Pisa.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oxford can be an interesting and educational experience. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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 Oxford or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pisa is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Pisa. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Oxford or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

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

Oxford has a large number of nightlife venues. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

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 Oxford or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Oxford or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Oxford does not have a 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.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Pisa?

Pisa is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Oxford offers some nice shopping areas. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Oxford or Pisa Better for Families?

Oxford and Pisa are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Oxford is a family-friendly college town. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pisa. 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 Oxford or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Oxford is a great college town if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Pisa is a good college town 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 Oxford or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Oxford or Pisa Better for Students?

Both Oxford and Pisa are fantastic destinations for students.

Oxford is a great destination for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Pisa is a very popular college town 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 Oxford or Pisa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Oxford and Pisa.

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

You'll find some public transit in Pisa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Oxford or Pisa a more walkable city?

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

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Pisa?

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

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

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

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Oxford or Pisa?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. 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 Oxford or Pisa?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This college town 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 Oxford or Pisa?

Because Oxford is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Pisa?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Oxford 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 Oxford 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 Oxford or Pisa in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Oxford is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives more rain than Pisa. Oxford 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 Oxford or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Pisa. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, 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.

In October, Oxford is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Oxford 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 Oxford can be very cold. Oxford is much colder than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Pisa. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Pisa in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Oxford is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Oxford gets 147 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. Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Oxford