A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Pisa vs. Imperia for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Pisa or Imperia?

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

Should I visit Pisa or Imperia? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Imperia

Imperia is a charming, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pisa or Imperia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pisa. Although Pisa and Imperia are both popular with visitors, Pisa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pisa is more touristy than Imperia 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. Imperia is popular for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Pisa different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Imperia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

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

Pisa is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Pisa or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

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 Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Pisa or Imperia Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a popular place for the beach. However, Imperia is not a beach destination.

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.

Imperia is not a beach destination.

Is Pisa or Imperia Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Imperia does not have a historic old town.

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.

Imperia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Pisa or Imperia?

Pisa is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Pisa or Imperia Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Pisa or Imperia.

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.

Imperia is a family-friendly place to visit. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Pisa or Imperia Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Pisa and Imperia 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.

Imperia is a good city for couples to visit. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Pisa or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is notable for backpackers. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

Is Pisa or Imperia Better for Students?

Pisa is a must-visit destination for students. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia is not popular with students.

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

Pisa and Imperia 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.

Imperia has a few public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Pisa or Imperia a more walkable city?

Pisa is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Pisa?

How long in Pisa or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pisa or Imperia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Pisa than Imperia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Pisa, and 1-2 days is enough time in Imperia.

Families should spend more time in Pisa than Imperia. 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 Imperia. 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 Imperia 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Pisa or Imperia?

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.

Imperia 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 Imperia?

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 undiscovered destination of Imperia. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Pisa or Imperia?

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 charming town of Imperia 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 comparing the travel costs between Pisa and Imperia, we can see that Pisa 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 Europe, 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 Pisa Expensive? and Is Imperia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pisa or Imperia?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Pisa and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia in the Summer?

Both Imperia and Pisa during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

In the summer, Pisa is around the same temperature as Imperia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pisa in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Imperia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

In Imperia, 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 Imperia. Pisa gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets more rain in July than Imperia. Pisa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Imperia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pisa and Imperia. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Pisa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Pisa is generally cooler than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 17°C (63°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Pisa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Imperia during autumn. Pisa gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pisa usually receives more rain than Imperia. Pisa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pisa or Imperia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pisa as well as Imperia. Many travelers come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Imperia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pisa is much colder than Imperia in the winter. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Pisa often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Pisa gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Imperia. Pisa gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Imperia in the Spring?

Both Imperia and Pisa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Pisa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Imperia for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Pisa is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pisa in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Imperia averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Pisa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Imperia during spring. Pisa gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. In April, Pisa usually receives more rain than Imperia. Pisa gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Imperia and Pisa