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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Pisa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Pisa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a historic, charming, and quaint university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Pisa

Pisa is a classic, charming, and iconic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint Andrews and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Pisa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pisa than Saint Andrews, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pisa is better known for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights, while Saint Andrews is more popular for its hiking and small town charm. Pisa is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Also, Pisa is famous for The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Saint Andrews different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Andrews or Pisa?

Pisa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pisa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Saint Andrews. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Saint Andrews. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

Pisa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Saint Andrews or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its evening party scene.

Pisa offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Saint Andrews. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

Is Saint Andrews or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Both Saint Andrews and Pisa have notable beaches worth visiting.

Saint Andrews has a beach worth visiting. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Pisa. 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 Saint Andrews or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a well-known place for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Pisa to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Pisa Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for hiking. However, Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Saint Andrews is a good destination for hiking. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Pisa?

Both Saint Andrews and Pisa are very good shopping destinations.

Saint Andrews is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

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.

Is Saint Andrews or Pisa Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Pisa are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly place to visit. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

Pisa is a family-friendly university town. 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 Saint Andrews or Pisa Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is a great university town for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Saint Andrews is a great university town if you're traveling as a couple. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

Pisa is a good university town 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 Saint Andrews or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town 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.

Saint Andrews is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really a backpacker's destination, but there are some guesthouses and apartments that are more affordable.

Is Saint Andrews or Pisa Better for Students?

Saint Andrews and Pisa are both fantastic destinations for students and younger travelers.

Saint Andrews is a great destination for students. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

Pisa is a very popular university town 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.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Pisa offer notable public transit options.

Saint Andrews has a few public transit options. There are buses through St. Andrews.

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

Is Saint Andrews or Pisa a more walkable city?

Pisa is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable university town. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Pisa?

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

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

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

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the classic destination of Pisa. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint Andrews or Pisa?

Saint Andrews 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint Andrews or Pisa?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This university town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the iconic destination of Pisa. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint Andrews or Pisa?

Because Saint Andrews is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Pisa. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews or Pisa?

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 Saint Andrews or Pisa in the Summer?

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

Saint Andrews is much colder than Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Pisa in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In October, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Pisa. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Pisa in the Winter?

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

The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. In January, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pisa. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Pisa in the Spring?

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

Saint Andrews is much colder than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Pisa. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Saint Andrews