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

Should you visit Auxerre 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 Auxerre and Pamplona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

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. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Auxerre and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auxerre or Pamplona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona. Although Auxerre and Pamplona are both popular with visitors, Pamplona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pamplona is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Auxerre is known for its small town charm. Pamplona is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also home to The Running of the Bulls Festival. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Auxerre different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Pamplona and Auxerre.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Auxerre. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Pamplona is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Auxerre or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pamplona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Pamplona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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).

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Auxerre or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Pamplona for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Auxerre or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

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

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is Auxerre or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Pamplona for the hiking trails. 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.

Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Auxerre or Pamplona?

Pamplona is very good for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Pamplona has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find some good markets around town. It's also fun to shop for local handicrafts or souvenirs to remember your trip by.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Auxerre or Pamplona Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Auxerre or Pamplona.

Auxerre offers lots of family activities. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Pamplona is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Auxerre or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Both Auxerre and Pamplona are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Auxerre is a good town for couples to visit. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Pamplona is a nice destination for couples. 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 Auxerre or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Pamplona. 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.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Auxerre or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Pamplona. This is a quiet city, which appeals to some students. The laid back atmosphere makes it a nice place to relax and learn.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

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

Auxerre and Pamplona both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Auxerre offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town.

Pamplona has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Auxerre or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Pamplona is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Pamplona is a very walkable destination. 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.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Auxerre?

How long in Auxerre or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Auxerre 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 Auxerre. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pamplona than Auxerre 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 Auxerre or Pamplona?

The town of Auxerre offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Pamplona, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Auxerre or Pamplona?

Auxerre 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Auxerre, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Pamplona, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pamplona has to offer.

Five days in Auxerre or Pamplona?

Auxerre 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.

Pamplona is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Auxerre or Pamplona?

Auxerre is a great place to explore. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pamplona. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Auxerre or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Auxerre 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 Auxerre or Pamplona?

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 Auxerre or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Auxerre during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Auxerre for the small town charm and 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, Auxerre is generally around the same temperature as Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Auxerre average around 19°C (66°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Pamplona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Auxerre. In the summer, Auxerre often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Auxerre gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Auxerre usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Auxerre gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auxerre or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Auxerre and Pamplona. The autumn months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

Auxerre is cooler than Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Auxerre averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Auxerre usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Auxerre gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Auxerre usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Auxerre gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Auxerre or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Auxerre as well as Pamplona. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Auxerre in the winter. In the winter, Auxerre is much colder than Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Auxerre in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Auxerre often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Auxerre gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Auxerre usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Auxerre gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auxerre or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Auxerre are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Auxerre is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Auxerre average around 10°C (50°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Auxerre usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Auxerre gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In April, Auxerre usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Auxerre gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Auxerre