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

Should you visit Brussels or Pisa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Brussels and Pisa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Brussels

Brussels is a cosmopolitan, authentic, and colorful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Brussels travel costs.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. Pisa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Pisa travel costs.

Brussels and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Pisa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brussels than Pisa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Brussels is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Pisa attracts visitors for its nightlife, beaches, and impressive beauty. Pisa is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Brussels is famous for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also well known for La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Brussels and Pisa have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Brussels. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

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.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Brussels and Pisa.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Brussels makes for a great culinary experience. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

Pisa has a huge number of terrific 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 Brussels or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa is well known for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Pisa is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

Is Brussels or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a good destination for its beaches. However, Brussels is not a beach destination.

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.

Brussels is not a beach destination.

Is Brussels or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the superb old town areas in both Brussels and Pisa.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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 Brussels or Pisa?

Brussels is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Brussels draws large crowds to its stores. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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 Brussels or Pisa More Beautiful?

Pisa is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Brussels is not a destination known for its beauty.

Pisa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. While most people think of the city's iconic Leaning Tower, the city itself is filled with its own beauty and charm.

Brussels is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Brussels or Pisa Better for Families?

Brussels is a great 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, Brussels is very family-friendly. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

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 Brussels or Pisa Better for Couples?

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

Brussels is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

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

Brussels and Pisa are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

Many 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.

Is Brussels or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is renowned for students. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Pisa is a very popular place to visit 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.

Brussels is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

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

Brussels is terrific 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 thorough and effecient public transit system of Brussels can take you anywhere. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

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 Brussels or Pisa a more walkable city?

Brussels and Pisa both are superb when exploring on foot.

Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Brussels and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than in Pisa. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

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

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

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

Brussels is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Brussels or Pisa?

Brussels is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Brussels or Pisa?

Brussels is a historic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Brussels or Pisa?

The colorful city of Brussels offers nightlife and food. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Belgium, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Pisa, we can see that Pisa is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Brussels would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brussels 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 Pisa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pisa than you might in Brussels.

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

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Pisa?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels 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 Brussels or Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Brussels during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Brussels is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Pisa, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Pisa. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pisa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Brussels is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Brussels usually receives less rain than Pisa. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brussels or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Pisa. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Pisa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. Brussels is much colder than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pisa. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Brussels is cooler than Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In April, Brussels usually receives less rain than Pisa. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Brussels