A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Pisa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Taormina or Pisa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Taormina and Pisa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Taormina

Taormina is a beautiful, exclusive, and opulent 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 beaches, shopping, and museums.

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 nightlife, food, and beaches.

Taormina and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Pisa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pisa. Although Taormina and Pisa are both popular with visitors, Pisa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pisa is more popular for its museums & sights, historical sights, and shopping, while Taormina is known for its resorts and small town charm. Taormina is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Pisa is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Taormina different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pisa is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

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

Both Taormina and Pisa offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

Taormina has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

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 Taormina or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Taormina and Pisa.

The nightlife in Taormina has something for everybody. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

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.

Is Taormina or Pisa Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Pisa is not a resort destination.

Taormina is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Pisa is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Both Taormina and Pisa are considered to be good beach destinations.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Taormina. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Pisa offers a nice beach destination. 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 Taormina or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Pisa is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Pisa?

Pisa is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Taormina is a great destination for shopping. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Taormina or Pisa Better for Families?

Pisa is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Pisa offers lots of family activities. 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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Taormina is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

Pisa is a good 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 Taormina or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Taormina or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

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

While Taormina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of 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 Taormina or Pisa a more walkable city?

Taormina and Pisa are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Taormina is a very walkable destination. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Taormina and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Taormina than in Pisa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

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

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Taormina or Pisa?

Taormina is a fun place to experience. 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 Taormina or Pisa?

Taormina is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Taormina or Pisa?

Because Taormina is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Taormina and Pisa, we can see that Pisa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina 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 Taormina or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 27°C (80°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 Taormina. Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during summer. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Taormina usually receives less rain than Pisa. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Taormina or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Taormina during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Taormina in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Taormina is a little warmer than Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Taormina 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 Taormina. Taormina usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Pisa. Most visitors come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pisa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Taormina is much warmer than Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Taormina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

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

In January, Taormina usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pisa. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Taormina or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Pisa. The spring months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In April, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 16°C (60°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In the spring, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Taormina usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Taormina