A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pisa vs. Korcula for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Pisa or Korcula?

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

Should I visit Pisa or Korcula? 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 iconic, world-famous, and classic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Korcula

Korcula is a scenic, laid back, and historic island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Pisa and Korcula: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pisa or Korcula?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Korcula than Pisa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Korcula is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Pisa is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Korcula is well known for its small old town and its beautiful natural setting. Also, Korcula is famous for St Mark's Cathedral.

How is Pisa different from Korcula?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pisa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Pisa. 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 Korcula. Most of the sights are concentrated in Korcula Town, which has a charming old town that is filled with stone houses. In the center of the old town is St Mark's Cathedral. Other points of interest include Abbey Treasury and Marco Polo's House.

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

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

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 Korcula is an experience not to be missed. Food is a way of life on the island, and you'll likely enjoy bread, salad, soup, and grilled meat or seafood at most meals. The ingredients are locally produced and fresh.

Is Pisa or Korcula Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Korcula is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Pisa know how to have a good time. 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.

Korcula doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The party scene is lacking in the old town, so this isn't the place to visit for nightlife. Many of the restaurants become cocktail bars at night, and there is a club or two that has opened in recent years.

Is Pisa or Korcula Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Korcula is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Korcula has a few good snorkeling spots. There are a few snorkeling tours that leave from the island.

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pisa or Korcula Better for Beaches?

Korcula is a great island for the beache. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Korcula is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beautiful beaches around the island. Head south for the sandier beaches and north for the pebbly, shallower beaches. Many people think that Lumbarda has the best beaches on the island.

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.

Is Pisa or Korcula Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the excellent old towns in both Pisa and Korcula.

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 Korcula. The charming old town is filled with interesting buildings and historic streets that you can explore.

Is Pisa or Korcula Better for Hiking?

Korcula is a great island for hiking. However, Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Korcula for the hiking trails. There are many natural and hiking areas on the island so you can enjoy a full day hike or a shorter stroll through the area.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pisa or Korcula?

Pisa is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Korcula has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find boutiques, small retail shops, or stores selling knick knacks around town.

Is Pisa or Korcula Better for Families?

Korcula is a great island 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, Korcula is very family-friendly. The island has many great hikes that are appropriate for all ages. There are also pebbly beaches where the kids can play in the water and explore.

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 Korcula Better for Couples?

Korcula is a great island for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Korcula is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful old town, striking coastline, and wonderful natural beauty make for a great honeymoon or romantic escape. There are many nice hikes in the area and the beaches are nice for cooling off.

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 Korcula Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Korcula. You'll find enough hostels around the island to choose from and there are usually plenty of backpackers hanging out.

Is Pisa or Korcula Better for Students?

Pisa is renowned for students. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Pisa is a very popular city 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.

It's common for students to visit Korcula. More students have been moving to the island, and you'll find a growing student population.

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

Pisa and Korcula 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.

Korcula has a few public transit options. There are buses around the island but not all routes are very frequent.

Is Pisa or Korcula a more walkable city?

Pisa is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Korcula is a somewhat walkable city. There are foot paths and trails all over the island but you'll want to rent a bike if you're going long distances.

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

Should I spend more time in Korcula or Pisa?

How long in Pisa or Korcula?

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

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

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

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

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Korcula. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Korcula?

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.

Korcula is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Korcula?

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 food around the historic destination of Korcula. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Pisa or Korcula?

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 laid back island of Korcula offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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 Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Pisa or Korcula?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Korcula. When comparing the sizes of Pisa and Korcula, 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 Korcula?

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 Korcula in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pisa as well as Korcula. Many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Korcula for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Pisa is cooler than Korcula in the summer. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Korcula fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Korcula. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In the summer, Pisa often gets less sunshine than Korcula. Pisa gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Korcula receives 345 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Korcula. Pisa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Korcula in the Autumn?

Both Korcula and Pisa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Korcula because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Pisa is around the same temperature as Korcula. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pisa in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Korcula averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Korcula. Pisa usually receives less sunshine than Korcula during autumn. Pisa gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Korcula receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. In October, Pisa usually receives more rain than Korcula. Pisa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pisa or Korcula in the Winter?

Both Korcula and Pisa during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Pisa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Korcula this time of year.

In January, Pisa is generally cooler than Korcula. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 7°C (45°F), and Korcula fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Pisa often gets less sunshine than Korcula. Pisa gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Korcula receives 128 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets less rain in January than Korcula. Pisa gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Korcula in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pisa and Korcula. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Korcula for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Pisa is cooler than Korcula in the spring. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Korcula fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Korcula this time of the year. Pisa usually receives less sunshine than Korcula during spring. Pisa gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Korcula receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Pisa usually receives more rain than Korcula. Pisa gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Korcula and Pisa