A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Pisa vs. Bergamo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Pisa or Bergamo?

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

Should I visit Pisa or Bergamo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a beautiful, under-rated, and historical city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa and Bergamo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pisa or Bergamo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pisa than Bergamo. While Bergamo is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is more touristy than Bergamo and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Also, Pisa is famous for The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Bergamo is well known for its historical buildings and beautiful squares.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Pisa different from Bergamo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pisa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pisa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergamo. There are historical buildings as well as fascinating museums that are worth checking out. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Colleoni Chapel, the Accademia Carrara, and the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Pisa and Bergamo.

Pisa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Bergamo is an experience not to be missed. You'll find traditional restaurants around town that serve the local specialties, many of which have their roots in peasant dishes. The flavors are humble but high quality and the food is fresh and masterfully prepared.

Is Pisa or Bergamo Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Pisa has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergamo. Despite not being high on the itinerary of many travelers, the city has a great nightlife scene that includes many local bars and clubs. You can enjoy a local brew or sip some Italian wine while you enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.

Is Pisa or Bergamo Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Bergamo 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.

Bergamo is not a beach destination.

Is Pisa or Bergamo Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is notable for its old town. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Bergamo has an old town worth visiting. Since the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has become more popular with visitors. Still, you can enjoy the authentic and less touristy vibe of this beautiful city.

Is the Shopping Better in Pisa or Bergamo?

Pisa is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Pisa is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Bergamo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas around town including shopping malls and shopping streets. You'll find most of the major brands as well as some interesting boutique shops.

Is Pisa or Bergamo Better for Families?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Bergamo is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Bergamo is not always a place people visit with their families. It's a beautiful city that is filled with history, and for kids there are pedestrian streets to explore and great Italian food. There's also the Museo di Scienze Naturali, which is worth checking out.

Is Pisa or Bergamo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Pisa and Bergamo make for a notable place to visit.

Pisa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Bergamo is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beautiful architecture and impressive squares. There are also great restaurants and pedestrian streets that are fun to wander through.

Is Pisa or Bergamo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is notable for backpackers. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Bergamo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's not the most popular backpacker city in Italy, it does have a couple of hostels and guesthouses that offer affordable rates and a young vibe.

Is Pisa or Bergamo Better for Students?

Pisa is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Bergamo. The university attracts international students and the city makes a great base for learning and exploring.

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

Pisa and Bergamo both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Pisa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Bergamo has a few public transit options. There are buses around town as well as two funiculars, one connecting Città Bassa with the Città Alta and the other connecting Città Alta to San Vigilio.

Is Pisa or Bergamo a more walkable city?

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

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

Bergamo is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergamo or Pisa?

How long in Pisa or Bergamo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pisa and Bergamo. In our opinion, Pisa has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Pisa than Bergamo. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Pisa, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bergamo.

Families should spend more time in Pisa than Bergamo. 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.

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

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

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bergamo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Pisa or Bergamo?

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.

Bergamo 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.

Five days in Pisa or Bergamo?

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.

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

A week in Pisa or Bergamo?

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.

The fascinating city of Bergamo 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Pisa or Bergamo?

Bergamo has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Pisa and Bergamo, 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 Pisa or Bergamo?

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 Pisa or Bergamo in the Summer?

Both Bergamo and Pisa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bergamo in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Pisa is around the same temperature as Bergamo in the summer. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bergamo fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Bergamo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pisa. In the summer, Pisa often gets more sunshine than Bergamo. Pisa gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 286 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets less rain in July than Bergamo. Pisa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Bergamo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pisa and Bergamo. Many visitors come to Pisa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bergamo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Pisa is a little warmer than Bergamo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pisa in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Bergamo averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Pisa usually receives more sunshine than Bergamo during autumn. Pisa gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bergamo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pisa usually receives more rain than Bergamo. Pisa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pisa or Bergamo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pisa as well as Bergamo. Most visitors come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Bergamo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bergamo can be very cold. In January, Pisa is generally much warmer than Bergamo. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 7°C (45°F), and Bergamo fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Pisa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bergamo. Pisa gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 98 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bergamo. Pisa gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Bergamo in the Spring?

Both Bergamo and Pisa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bergamo this time of year.

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

Pisa usually receives more sunshine than Bergamo during spring. Pisa gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. In April, Pisa usually receives more rain than Bergamo. Pisa gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergamo and Pisa