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

Should you visit Arles or Pamplona?

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 Arles and Pamplona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pamplona

Pamplona is a elegant, laid-back, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Pamplona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pamplona than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pamplona is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, and big city activities, while Arles is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Arles and is known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also home to The Running of the Bulls Festival. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Arles different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arles or Pamplona?

Arles is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pamplona. Although most people visit in July for the Running of the Bulls, throughout the year there are some interesting museums and sights around town. You can check out the Cathedral of Pamplona, the Museo de Navarra, and the main plaza in town, Plaza del Castillo.

Is the Food Better in Arles or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Arles and Pamplona can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Pamplona. Local cuisine includes lots of fresh vegetables like mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus, and onion. You'll find many unique dishes in the area, and you shouldn't leave without trying the txistorra (sausage), revuelto de setas (eggs and mushrooms), and ajoarriero (cod).

Is Arles or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Pamplona is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There's a good sized university population that keeps the nightlife active around town. The Old Quarter is likely where you'll find the most going on, particularly around Calle San Nicolás and Calle Estafeta. Earlier in the evening the crowd is pretty young, but as the evening passes you'll find the crowd matures a bit.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Arles or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Arles is terrific for its old town. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Arles has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Pamplona has an old town worth visiting. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Is Arles or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Pamplona. It's a stop off on the famed Camino de Santiago, so if you want to walk part of the route, this is a nice place to explore.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Pamplona?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pamplona and Arles.

Many visitors go to Arles to go shopping. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Pamplona. You'll find some good markets around town. It's also fun to shop for local handicrafts or souvenirs to remember your trip by.

Is Arles or Pamplona Better for Families?

Pamplona is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pamplona. The city is very green, with many parks and gardens where kids can stretch their legs. There's also the Pamplona Planetarium and several museums that relate to environmental education.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Arles or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Arles is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Pamplona is a good town for couples to visit. Although it's most known for the Running of the Bulls in July, the city also has some interesting sights at other times of the year. Couples can walk around the city walls, or explore the many parks in town. There are also some interesting museums.

Is Arles or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pamplona is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers are drawn to this city during July for the Running of the Bulls festival. It's also a stop along the Camino de Santiago, which brings in a young, budget-oriented crowd.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Arles or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is very good for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Pamplona is popular with students. This is a quiet city, which appeals to some students. The laid back atmosphere makes it a nice place to relax and learn.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Arles or Pamplona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arles and Pamplona.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

While Pamplona offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Arles or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Arles and Pamplona both are great when exploring on foot.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Pamplona is very walkable. It's a stop off on the Camino de Santiago, so many people arrive on foot. It's also an easy city to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Arles Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Arles?

How long in Arles or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Arles or Pamplona to fill your time. In our opinion, Pamplona has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pamplona than Arles. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pamplona than Arles 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 Pamplona.

One day in Arles or Pamplona?

The beautiful town of Arles 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.

In Pamplona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Arles or Pamplona?

Arles is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Arles, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Arles or Pamplona?

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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.

Pamplona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Arles or Pamplona?

Arles is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the elegant destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Arles and Pamplona, we can see that Arles 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 Arles Expensive? and Is Pamplona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arles or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles and Pamplona, 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 Arles or Pamplona?

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 Arles or Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Pamplona. Most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Arles is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 24°C (75°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamplona this time of the year. In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during summer. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arles usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arles or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Arles as well as Pamplona. The autumn months attract visitors to Arles because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

Arles is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Arles often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Arles usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Pamplona in the Winter?

Both Pamplona and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Arles is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arles in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In January, Arles usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arles or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Arles during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 13°C (56°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. In the spring, Arles often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Arles usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Arles