A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Pensacola vs. Tampa for Beaches, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Pensacola or Tampa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and Tampa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Pensacola

Pensacola is a entertaining, fun-filled, and active beach town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Tampa

Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Pensacola and Tampa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pensacola or Tampa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pensacola than Tampa. While Tampa is larger than Pensacola, Pensacola has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pensacola is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Tampa is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and big city activities. Pensacola is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its white sand beaches and long running naval history. It is also home to Gulf Islands National Seashore. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Pensacola different from Tampa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pensacola or Tampa?

Pensacola is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pensacola. On a rainy day there are some nice museums in the area. You can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, or Pensacola Children's Museum.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Pensacola or Tampa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pensacola is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Pensacola has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find no shortage of seafood options around town. Oysters, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular on the menus. You'll also find lots of Cajun flavors as well as casual sandwiches and pizza.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is Pensacola or Tampa Better for Nightlife?

Pensacola is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Pensacola. There's a casual nightlife scene with pubs, live music, and a mellow but fun setting.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Pensacola or Tampa Better for Resorts?

Pensacola is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

Pensacola is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Family-friendly resorts with pools, waterslides, and lazy rivers are common. You'll also find beachfront hotels and more affordable options set back from the beach.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Pensacola or Tampa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pensacola is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Pensacola is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pensacola or Tampa Better for Beaches?

Pensacola is an amazing beach town to visit for the beach. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Pensacola. White sand beaches with blue water and mild temperatures make this a wonderful beach destination. Some of the best beaches include Casino Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Opal Beach.

Tampa is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Is Pensacola or Tampa Better for Hiking?

Pensacola is a decent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Hiking is a fun activity while in Pensacola. Step away from the beachfront development and you'll find some nice nature parks with quiet walking trails.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pensacola or Tampa?

Pensacola is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Pensacola has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are sprawling shopping malls and shopping centers as well as local boutiques and quintessential souvenir shops.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pensacola or Tampa Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Pensacola or Tampa.

Pensacola is a very kid-friendly beach town. Kid-friendly beaches, minigolf, a zoo, and even a few museums make this a great family destination. There are family-friendly resorts and kid-friendly restaurants that make for an easy vacation that everyone will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tampa. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Is Pensacola or Tampa Better for Couples?

Pensacola is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Pensacola makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful beaches and sunset cruises make this a great romantic getaway. You'll find great restaurants for a date night and plenty of activity once the sun goes down. During the day you can lounge on the beach or by the pool, sip drinks, and enjoy a vacation with your loved one.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Pensacola or Tampa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Pensacola or Tampa offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Pensacola. There's a bus system, but it's not particularly helpful to vacationers.

Public transit is quite limited in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Pensacola or Tampa a more walkable city?

Pensacola and Tampa both are decent when exploring on foot.

Pensacola is generally not very walkable. It's not a particularly walkable city and you'll want to have a car to fully enjoy your vacation.

Tampa is generally not a very walkable beach town. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Pensacola Worth Visiting? and Is Tampa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tampa or Pensacola?

How long in Pensacola or Tampa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pensacola and Tampa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pensacola than in Tampa. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Pensacola, and 2-3 days is enough time in Tampa.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pensacola than Tampa 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 Pensacola.

One day in Pensacola or Tampa?

In Pensacola, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this active destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the beaches. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find food around the city of Tampa. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Pensacola or Tampa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pensacola. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food around the low-key destination of Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Pensacola or Tampa?

Pensacola is a fun place to experience. In Pensacola, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the beaches. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the laid-back city of Tampa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Pensacola or Tampa?

In Pensacola, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this active destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Tampa is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and Tampa, we can see that Pensacola 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 North America, 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 Pensacola Expensive? and Is Tampa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pensacola or Tampa?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Pensacola. When comparing the sizes of Pensacola and Tampa, 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 Pensacola or Tampa?

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 Pensacola or Tampa in the Summer?

Both Tampa and Pensacola during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Pensacola for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pensacola is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pensacola in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Tampa averages at about 82°F (28°C).

Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pensacola. Pensacola usually gets less rain in July than Tampa. Pensacola gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pensacola or Tampa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pensacola and Tampa. The autumn months attract visitors to Pensacola because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

In October, Pensacola is generally cooler than Tampa. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 69°F (21°C), and Tampa fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

Pensacola gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Tampa. Pensacola gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Pensacola.

Should I visit Pensacola or Tampa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pensacola as well as Tampa. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pensacola this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine.

Pensacola is cooler than Tampa in the winter. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 51°F (10°C) in January, and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

Pensacola receives a lot of rain in the winter. Pensacola usually gets more rain in January than Tampa. Pensacola gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pensacola or Tampa in the Spring?

Both Tampa and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Pensacola for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Pensacola is cooler than Tampa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pensacola in April average around 67°F (20°C), and Tampa averages at about 71°F (22°C).

In April, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Tampa. Pensacola gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Pensacola is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Tampa and Pensacola