A Travel Price Comparison for Italy San Remo vs. Pisa for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Old Town

Should you visit San Remo or Pisa?

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

Should I visit San Remo or Pisa? 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.

San Remo

San Remo is a relaxing, beautiful, and scenic coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

San Remo and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pisa than San Remo, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pisa is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while San Remo is known for its beaches. Pisa is more touristy than San Remo and is known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. San Remo is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is San Remo different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Remo or Pisa?

Pisa is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

San Remo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pisa makes for a great culinary experience. 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 San Remo or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Pisa has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is San Remo or Pisa Better for Beaches?

San Remo is a great coastal city for the beache. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

San Remo is considered a top beach destination. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

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 San Remo or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the high quality old towns in both San Remo and Pisa.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

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 the Shopping Better in San Remo or Pisa?

Pisa is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is San Remo or Pisa Better for Families?

San Remo is a great coastal city 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, San Remo is very family-friendly. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

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 San Remo or Pisa Better for Couples?

San Remo is a great coastal city for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

San Remo is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

Pisa is a good coastal 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 San Remo or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is San Remo or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both San Remo and Pisa.

San Remo has some public transit options. There are local buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Pisa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is San Remo or Pisa a more walkable city?

San Remo and Pisa are high quality when it comes to walkability.

San Remo is a very walkable destination. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Pisa?

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

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Remo. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 San Remo or Pisa?

San Remo 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.

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 San Remo or Pisa?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of San Remo. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 San Remo or Pisa?

The beautiful coastal city of San Remo offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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 The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, San Remo or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of San Remo 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 San Remo 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 San Remo or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Remo and Pisa. The summer months attract visitors to San Remo because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In San Remo, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during summer. San Remo gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Remo usually receives less rain than Pisa. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Remo or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Remo as well as Pisa. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Remo this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. San Remo gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. San Remo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Remo usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and San Remo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, San Remo is a little warmer than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Remo in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

San Remo usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. San Remo gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, San Remo usually receives more rain than Pisa. San Remo gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Remo or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and San Remo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to San Remo in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, San Remo is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 13°C (56°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. San Remo gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Remo usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. San Remo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and San Remo