A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pisa vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Pisa and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pisa than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pisa is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Pisa and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Also, Pisa is famous for The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Pisa different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Mont-Saint-Michel are world-renowned. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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.

Is the Food Better in Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pisa is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Pisa. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Pisa is very good for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a great destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for hiking. However, Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for hiking. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Pisa is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Pisa is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pisa. 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Pisa is a world-class destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pisa and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a few public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Pisa and Mont-Saint-Michel are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Pisa Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Pisa?

How long in Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Pisa than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pisa than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Pisa, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the iconic city of Pisa, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the classic destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

You'll find museums and food around the historic destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This island offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Pisa is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The historic island of Mont-Saint-Michel offers food and museums. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 1120 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Pisa and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pisa as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Pisa is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mont-Saint-Michel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In the summer, Pisa often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Pisa gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Pisa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Pisa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Pisa is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pisa in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Pisa usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Pisa gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. In October, Pisa usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Pisa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Pisa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Pisa is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 7°C (45°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Pisa often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Pisa gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Pisa gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pisa and Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

Pisa is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Pisa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Pisa gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. Pisa gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Pisa