A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pisa vs. Dubrovnik for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Pisa or Dubrovnik?

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

Should I visit Pisa or Dubrovnik? 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 world-famous, classic, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a charming, famous, and cultural coastal town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Pisa and Dubrovnik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pisa or Dubrovnik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubrovnik. Although Pisa and Dubrovnik are both popular with visitors, Dubrovnik has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dubrovnik is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pisa is known for its nightlife and shopping. Dubrovnik is more touristy than Pisa and is known for its well-preserved medieval old town that is surrounded by stone walls and has been the production sight for many major movies and television shows. It is also home to The Old Town Walls. Pisa is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Pisa different from Dubrovnik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Pisa and Dubrovnik.

Pisa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Dubrovnik specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The old town is a living museum that is filled with historic landmarks like the old town walls, the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Treasury, and Loggia Square.

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

Dubrovnik 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, Dubrovnik is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Restaurants are usually locally-sourced with fresh produce and seafood. Traditional local dishes include black risotto (made with squid ink), pašticada (a beef dish), and various pasta dishes.

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.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dubrovnik. There are many bars around town that take advantage of the unique architecture of the city. There are far less clubs, but for a drink in a laid back setting, you'll find plenty of options.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Resorts?

Dubrovnik is a great coastal town for its luxury resorts. However, Pisa is not a resort destination.

Dubrovnik is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The old town is the most famous and charming part of the city, but you'll find most of the resorts spanning the coastline outside of town. Inside the old town there are a few boutique hotels and a number of rooms available for rent, but make sure you book early during peak seasons. For a resort, look outside of the old town with popular options including Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, the Hilton Imperial, and Rixos Premium.

Pisa is not a resort destination.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubrovnik is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Dubrovnik. On clear days, snorkeling can be a fun activity, but the weather and visibility can vary so conditions are unpredictable. Buža is a popular snorkeling spot in town, but you can also organize tours to other areas.

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Pisa and Dubrovnik are good choices.

Pisa is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people head to Dubrovnik to enjoy the beach. The old town is the main appeal of the area, but there are several beaches that are nice for taking a swim or sunbathing. They are often pebbly, but the water is blue and the views are beautiful.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for its Old Town?

Dubrovnik is terrific for its old town. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Dubrovnik has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This walled old town is among the most famous in Europe. It's sits beautifully along the coast and it is pedestrian only. You can spend plenty of time exploring the historic lanes, popping in shops and restaurants, and soaking up the charming atmosphere.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Pisa. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Hiking?

Dubrovnik is a great coastal town for hiking. However, Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that take you along the dramatic coastal. The paths offer spectacular views back towards town or along the water.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pisa or Dubrovnik?

Pisa is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Dubrovnik is a great destination for shopping. The old town offers some nice boutique shops where you can buy designer clothes, jewelry, or trinkets.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Families?

Dubrovnik is a great coastal town 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, Dubrovnik is very family-friendly. The city has nice beaches, beautiful hikes, and historic city walls that are fun to explore with kids. The food is also kid-friendly and the locals love meeting children.

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.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Couples?

Dubrovnik is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Dubrovnik makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its beautiful old town, nice beaches, and laid back atmosphere, this makes the perfect couple's getaway destination. Pop in a local restaurant and try the seafood before exploring the charming squares and historic buildings.

Pisa is a good city 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 Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dubrovnik is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Dubrovnik is extremely popular for backpackers. It's not hard to find a room in a local's home near old town at an affordable price. The food is delicious and affordable as well, and you'll find plenty of other backpackers in town to hang out with.

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.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik Better for Students?

Pisa is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

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.

Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

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

Pisa and Dubrovnik 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.

Dubrovnik has a few public transit options. There are 12 bus lines that connect all parts of the city with the city center.

Is Pisa or Dubrovnik a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Dubrovnik is a very easy coastal town to get around on foot. The old town is completely pedestrian-only and you can also explore the city's historic walls on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dubrovnik or Pisa?

How long in Pisa or Dubrovnik?

In either Pisa or Dubrovnik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dubrovnik than Pisa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Pisa, and 1-5 days is enough time in Dubrovnik.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubrovnik than Pisa 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 Dubrovnik.

One day in Pisa or Dubrovnik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pisa. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pisa has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dubrovnik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Pisa or Dubrovnik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the world-famous destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Dubrovnik is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Dubrovnik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Pisa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the cultural destination of Dubrovnik. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Pisa or Dubrovnik?

Pisa is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

The historic coastal town of Dubrovnik offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pisa and Dubrovnik, we can see that Pisa is more expensive. And not only is Dubrovnik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dubrovnik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pisa Expensive? and Is Dubrovnik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pisa or Dubrovnik?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Pisa and Dubrovnik, 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 Dubrovnik?

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 Pisa or Dubrovnik in the Summer?

Both Dubrovnik and Pisa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.

In the summer, Pisa is around the same temperature as Dubrovnik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pisa in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In July, Pisa usually receives more rain than Dubrovnik. Pisa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pisa or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

Both Dubrovnik and Pisa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Pisa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Pisa is generally around the same temperature as Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 17°C (63°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Dubrovnik gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. Pisa usually gets less rain in October than Dubrovnik. Pisa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pisa and Dubrovnik. Many travelers come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pisa is cooler than Dubrovnik in the winter. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Pisa usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Pisa gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pisa or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pisa as well as Dubrovnik. Many visitors come to Pisa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Pisa is around the same temperature as Dubrovnik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pisa in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 14°C (57°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. Pisa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pisa usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dubrovnik. Pisa gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Pisa