A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Positano vs. Pisa for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Positano or Pisa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Positano and Pisa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Positano

Positano is a stunning, luxurious, and charming Mediterranean village. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small 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 shopping, food, and beaches.

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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Positano and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Positano or Pisa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Positano. Although Positano and Pisa are both popular with visitors, Positano has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Positano is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pisa is known for its museums and nightlife. Positano is more touristy than Pisa and is known for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. It is also home to The Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Pisa is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Positano different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pisa and Positano. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Positano or Pisa?

Pisa is great for its historical sights. However, Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Positano 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, Positano is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.

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 Positano or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is great for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Pisa for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.

Is Positano or Pisa Better for Resorts?

Positano is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Pisa is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Positano is a great choice. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.

Pisa is not a resort destination.

Is Positano or Pisa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Positano 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 Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Positano or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Positano and Pisa both offer good beaches.

Positano offers a nice beach destination. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.

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.

Is Positano or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Positano has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.

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 Positano or Pisa Better for Hiking?

Positano is a great Mediterranean village for hiking. However, Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Positano for the hiking trails. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Positano or Pisa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Positano and Pisa both offer plenty of superb spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Positano. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.

Pisa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Positano or Pisa Better for Families?

Both Positano and Pisa are good family-friendly destinations.

Positano offers lots of family activities. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.

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 Positano or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Positano makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon getaway.

Pisa is a good Mediterranean village 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 Positano or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Positano. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.

Is Positano or Pisa Better for Students?

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

Pisa is a very popular place to visit 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.

Positano is not popular with students.

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

Positano and Pisa both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Positano offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.

Pisa has a few public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Positano or Pisa a more walkable city?

Positano 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.

Positano is a very easy Mediterranean village to get around on foot. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Positano?

How long in Positano or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Positano and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Positano than in Pisa. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Positano, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

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

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

Positano is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. 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.

The beautiful city of Pisa offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Positano or Pisa?

Positano 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.

Pisa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pisa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Positano or Pisa?

Positano might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This Mediterranean village 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.

Pisa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Positano or Pisa?

Even though Positano is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Pisa is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Positano or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Positano and Pisa, 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 Positano or Pisa?

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 Positano or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Positano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Positano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Positano is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Positano average around 23°C (74°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Pisa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Positano. Positano usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during summer. Positano gets 313 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Positano or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Positano during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Positano for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pisa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Positano is around the same temperature as Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Positano averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Positano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Positano gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Positano. Positano usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Positano gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Positano or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Positano and Pisa. Many visitors come to Positano in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Positano is a little warmer than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Positano in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Positano usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. Positano gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Positano usually receives more rain than Pisa. Positano gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Positano or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Positano as well as Pisa. Most visitors come to Positano for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Positano is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Positano average around 13°C (55°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Positano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Positano gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Positano usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Positano gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Positano