A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Messina vs. Pisa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Messina 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 Messina 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.

Messina

Messina is a bustling, local, and historic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Messina 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 nightlife, food, and beaches. See Pisa travel costs.

Messina and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Pisa?

Both Pisa and Messina have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Messina is very popular for its big city activities, while Pisa attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pisa is more touristy than Messina and is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Messina is famous for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry.

How is Messina different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pisa is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

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

Pisa is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Messina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Is Messina or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Messina and Pisa.

Messina is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

Many people head to Pisa for the nightlife scene. 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 Messina or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beach.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Pisa. 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.

You can check out the beach in Messina. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Is Messina or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa is well known for its historic old town. However, Messina 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.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Pisa?

Pisa is well known for shopping. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Pisa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Messina. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Is Messina or Pisa More Beautiful?

Pisa is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Messina 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.

Messina is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Messina or Pisa Better for Families?

Messina is a great port 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, Messina is very family-friendly. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

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 Messina or Pisa Better for Couples?

Both Messina and Pisa are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Messina is a nice destination for couples. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

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 Messina or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is well known for backpackers. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Messina. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

Is Messina or Pisa Better for Students?

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

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.

It's common for students to visit Messina. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Messina and Pisa.

You'll find some public transit in Messina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

While Pisa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Messina or Pisa a more walkable city?

Messina and Pisa both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Messina is very walkable. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

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 Messina Worth Visiting? and Is Pisa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Messina?

How long in Messina or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Messina and Pisa. In our opinion, Pisa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pisa than Messina. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Messina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

Couples should spend more time in Pisa than Messina. 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 Messina 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 Messina or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Messina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Pisa, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Messina or Pisa?

Messina 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.

In Pisa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pisa has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Pisa?

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

Pisa is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Messina or Pisa?

The bustling port city of Messina 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pisa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pisa. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Messina and Pisa, we can see that Pisa is more expensive. And not only is Messina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Messina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Messina 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 Messina.

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

Which is Bigger, Messina or Pisa?

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

Both Pisa and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Messina is a little warmer than Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Pisa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Pisa in the Autumn?

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

In October, Messina is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Messina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Messina usually receives less rain than Pisa. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Pisa. Most visitors come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Pisa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Messina is much warmer than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Pisa. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In the spring, Messina is a little warmer than Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during spring. Messina gets 207 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, Messina usually receives less rain than Pisa. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Messina