Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Pisa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Pisa or Bologna? 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 is a classic, charming, and iconic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pisa than Bologna. While Bologna is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is more popular for its museums and beaches, while Bologna is known for its food. Pisa is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna and Pisa. 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, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
Many visitors head to Pisa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.
Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.
Bologna 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, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).
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.
If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Pisa and Bologna.
The nightlife in Pisa has something for everybody. 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.
Bologna offers plenty to do in the evening. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.
Pisa is very good for the beach. However, Bologna is not a beach destination.
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.
Bologna is not a beach destination.
It's fun to wander around the great old towns in both Pisa and Bologna.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Pisa. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.
There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).
If you're looking to go shopping, Pisa and Bologna both offer plenty of great spots.
Pisa is well-known for its shopping. 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.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Pisa or Bologna.
Pisa offers lots of family activities. 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.
Bologna is a family-friendly place to visit. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.
With fun activities for couples, both Pisa and Bologna make for a good 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.
Bologna is a good city for couples to visit. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.
For backpackers, both Pisa and Bologna are great places to visit.
Many backpackers visit Pisa. 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.
Bologna is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.
For students, both Pisa and Bologna are world-class places to visit.
Many students frequent Pisa. 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.
Students come from all over the world to visit Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.
Pisa and Bologna both offer good 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.
Bologna has a few public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.
Pisa and Bologna are great when it comes to walkability.
Pisa is a very walkable city. The city is a great place to explore on foot.
Bologna is a very walkable destination. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Pisa Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pisa and Bologna. In our opinion, Pisa has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Pisa than Bologna. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Pisa than Bologna. 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 Bologna. 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 Bologna 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.
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 Bologna. 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.
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.
Bologna is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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.
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 fun destination of Bologna. 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.
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 historical city of Bologna 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 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Pisa is €120, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €159. 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 Pisa and Bologna in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Pisa or Bologna? 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.
Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
Prices for flights to both Bologna and Pisa 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.
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:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pisa and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.
Bologna has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Pisa and Bologna, 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.
Both Bologna and Pisa during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pisa is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pisa in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pisa. In the summer, Pisa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Pisa gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.
Pisa usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Pisa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pisa and Bologna. Many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Pisa is generally around the same temperature as Bologna. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 17°C (63°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Pisa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during autumn. Pisa gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Bologna 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 Bologna. Pisa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Pisa as well as Bologna. Many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bologna can be very cold during winter. Pisa is much warmer than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Pisa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Pisa gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.
Pisa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bologna. Pisa gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bologna and Pisa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Pisa is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pisa in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Pisa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during spring. Pisa gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Pisa. In April, Pisa usually receives more rain than Bologna. Pisa gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Pisa | Bologna | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 16°C (61°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |