A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toulon vs. Pisa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Toulon or Pisa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Toulon and Pisa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a classic, charming, and iconic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Toulon and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Pisa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pisa than Toulon. While Toulon is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Toulon attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling. Pisa is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also well known for The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Toulon different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pisa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Pisa is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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 Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Toulon or Pisa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon 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 Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Toulon and Pisa are nice choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Pisa has a beach worth visiting. 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 Toulon or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its 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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Pisa?

Both Toulon and Pisa are great shopping destinations.

Toulon is an extremely popular place for shoppers. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Pisa is well-known for its shopping. 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 Toulon or Pisa Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Toulon or Pisa.

Toulon is a family-friendly place to visit. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Pisa is a family-friendly port city. 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 Toulon or Pisa Better for Couples?

Both Toulon and Pisa are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Toulon is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Pisa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Toulon or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Toulon or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is an unbeatable place for students. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Both Toulon and Pisa offer nice public transit options.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

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

Is Toulon or Pisa a more walkable city?

Toulon and Pisa both are great when exploring on foot.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Pisa?

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Toulon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Toulon or Pisa?

Toulon 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.

Pisa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the real world destination of Toulon. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or Pisa?

The industrial port city of Toulon offers nightlife and food. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the classic destination of Pisa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulon 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 Toulon Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Pisa?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Toulon 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 Toulon 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 Toulon or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Pisa. Most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Toulon is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Toulon in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pisa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulon because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In October, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 16°C (61°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Toulon gets 205 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, Toulon usually receives less rain than Pisa. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Toulon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Toulon is around the same temperature as Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pisa. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Pisa. Many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Toulon is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Toulon in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during spring. Toulon gets 245 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, Toulon usually receives less rain than Pisa. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Toulon