A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Versailles vs. Pisa for Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Versailles or Pisa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Versailles 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.

Versailles

Versailles is a ornate, opulent, and historic palace. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a world-famous, classic, and charming city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Versailles and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Versailles or Pisa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pisa. Although Versailles and Pisa are about the same size, Pisa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pisa is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Versailles attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Pisa and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. Pisa is famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also well known for The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Versailles different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Versailles is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Versailles are world-renowned. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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.

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

Pisa is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Pisa. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Versailles or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is a great city for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Pisa has something for everybody. 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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Versailles or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Versailles is not a beach destination.

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.

Versailles is not a beach destination.

Is Versailles or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is a great city for its historic old town. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Versailles or Pisa?

Pisa is a great city for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Versailles or Pisa Better for Families?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Versailles or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Versailles is a great palace if you're traveling as a couple. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

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

Pisa is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Pisa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Versailles or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not popular with students.

Pisa is a great destination 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.

Versailles is not popular with students.

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

Versailles is a great palace for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Versailles can get you around easily. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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 Versailles or Pisa a more walkable city?

Versailles and Pisa are very good when it comes to walkability.

Versailles is very walkable. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Versailles?

How long in Versailles or Pisa?

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

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the classic city of Pisa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pisa, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Versailles or Pisa?

Versailles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Pisa, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Versailles or Pisa?

You'll find museums around the grand destination of Versailles. This palace offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Pisa, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Versailles or Pisa?

The grand palace of Versailles offers museums. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Versailles or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Versailles. When comparing the sizes of Versailles 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 Versailles 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 Versailles or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Versailles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Versailles is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Versailles in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Pisa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Versailles. Versailles usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Versailles gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Versailles usually receives more rain than Pisa. Versailles gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Versailles or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Versailles during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Versailles for 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 October, Versailles is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Versailles average around 13°C (56°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Versailles often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Versailles gets 126 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. Versailles usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Versailles or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Versailles and Pisa. The winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums 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 Versailles can be very cold. Versailles is much colder than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Versailles averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Versailles usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Versailles gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Versailles usually receives less rain than Pisa. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Versailles or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Versailles as well as Pisa. The natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Versailles is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Versailles in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Versailles often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Versailles gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Versailles usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Versailles gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Versailles