Which place is cheaper, Pisa or Palermo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo 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.
Palermo is a fun, colorful, and diverse city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Pisa is a classic, charming, and iconic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Palermo than Pisa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Palermo is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Pisa is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Pisa is more touristy than Palermo and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Palermo is popular for its mild climate, beautiful architecture, fun atmosphere, and fascinating culture. It is also home to The Cathedral.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pisa and Palermo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Pisa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
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.
Palermo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of grand buildings and impressive architectural buildings that you should visit. The cathedral, the Norman Palace, and Cappella Palatina are among the best.
Both Palermo and Pisa offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.
Dining out in Palermo is an experience not to be missed. The islands long history and occupation by a range of different groups means that the cuisine is heavily influenced by many different cultures. You'll see influences from Phonecians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans. Local dishes include Pasta alla Norma (pasta and vegetables), Arancine (rice balls), and Cannoli.
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.
Both Palermo and Pisa are excellent when it comes to partying.
Palermo offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is surprisingly varied with everything from wine bars by the ocean to dance parties that flood into the street. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include the old town, Politeama, and Mondello.
Pisa has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.
Palermo is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Palermo has a few good snorkeling spots. The dive season lasts most of the year and there are many beautiful dive spots that are accessible from the city. The water is clear and there is a variety of flora and fauna to see.
Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Palermo is a great city for the beache. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.
Palermo is considered a top beach destination. The city has a number of beautiful beaches, some of which are accessible by public transit. Mondello is a popular option with beautiful views. Capo Gallo is a relaxing option on a nature reserve that is good for divers and nature lovers. Addaura is a lively beach with a number of clubs.
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.
Pisa is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Palermo does not have a historic old town.
Pisa is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.
Palermo does not have a historic old town.
Both Palermo and Pisa are excellent shopping destinations.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Palermo. The city offers a mix of high end shopping streets as well as colorful markets that have the feel of a traditional bazaar. Whether you're looking for European brands or local merchandise, this city has an eclectic mix with something for everyone.
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.
Palermo 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, Palermo is very family-friendly. The city has beaches where everyone can cool off and play in the relaxing waves. There's also a botanical garden and the fascinating Catacombs of the Capuchins. Kids will also enjoy exploring the many diverse markets throughout the city.
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.
Both Palermo and Pisa are good destinations for a couple's getaway.
Palermo is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with fun adventures, unique markets, and relaxing beaches. It makes a great city escape for couples who enjoy spending time outdoors but also having access to an urban setting.
Pisa is a nice destination for couples. 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.
Pisa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Pisa is a very popular 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.
Plenty of backpackers visit Palermo. There are a decent number of affordable hostels around town as well as plenty of backpackers that keep the scene fun and social.
Pisa is very popular for students. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
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.
Plenty of students visit Palermo. It's an affordable student destination with a relaxing and laid back vibe. There's enough activity to keep it interesting without a high pressure setting.
Pisa is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Palermo is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.
Pisa has a few public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.
Public transit is mostly limited in Palermo. If you stick to the main city center then you can get around by city bus, but if you're headed anywhere else, you'll likely want to take a taxi or Uber.
Palermo and Pisa both are excellent when exploring on foot.
Palermo is a very walkable destination. The city is walkable with a number of streets closed to cars and pedestrian only.
Pisa is very walkable. The city is a great place to explore on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Palermo Worth Visiting? and Is Pisa Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Palermo and Pisa. In our opinion, Pisa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pisa than Palermo. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Palermo than Pisa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Palermo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Pisa than Palermo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Pisa that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pisa than Palermo 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.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Palermo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
In Pisa, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Palermo 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.
In Pisa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pisa has to offer.
You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the dynamic destination of Palermo. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Pisa is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
The fun city of Palermo offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pisa. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is €92, while the average daily cost in Pisa is €120. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Palermo and Pisa in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Palermo or Pisa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Pisa and Palermo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:
For Pisa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palermo and Pisa, we can see that Pisa is more expensive. And not only is Palermo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palermo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palermo 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 Pisa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pisa than you might in Palermo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Palermo Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.
Palermo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Palermo 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Palermo as well as Pisa. Many travelers come to Palermo for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Palermo is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 25°C (76°F), 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 Palermo this time of the year. In the summer, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Palermo gets 347 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.
Palermo usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Palermo gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Pisa and Palermo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Palermo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, 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.
Palermo is a little warmer than Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palermo. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Palermo gets 204 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, Palermo usually receives less rain than Pisa. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Pisa and Palermo during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Palermo for the museums, 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 the winter, Palermo is much warmer than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palermo in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Palermo gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.
Palermo usually gets less rain in January than Pisa. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palermo and Pisa. The spring months attract visitors to Palermo because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.
In April, Palermo is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 15°C (58°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during spring. Palermo gets 219 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, Palermo usually receives less rain than Pisa. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Palermo | Pisa | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
May | 18°C (65°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Jul | 25°C (76°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |