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

Should you visit Basel or Pamplona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Pamplona, 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.

Basel

Basel is a museum-filled, easily accessible, and beautiful city. 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 historic, elegant, and laid-back city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Basel and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Pamplona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona. Although Basel and Pamplona are about the same size, Pamplona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pamplona is better known for its food, nightlife, hiking, and big city activities, while Basel is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Basel and is known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. Also, Pamplona is famous for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Basel is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Basel offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

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 Basel or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pamplona is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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).

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Basel or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Pamplona has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Basel or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Basel. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

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

Is Basel or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Pamplona is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Pamplona?

Basel is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Basel is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

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.

Is Basel or Pamplona Better for Families?

Basel is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Pamplona is a family-friendly city. 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 Basel or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Basel and Pamplona are both notable to visit as a couple.

Basel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Pamplona is a good city 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 Basel or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is notable for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pamplona is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Basel or Pamplona Better for Students?

Basel is a well-known place for students. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Basel is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Plenty of students 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.

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

Basel is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Basel can get you to some places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

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

Is Basel or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Basel is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Basel?

How long in Basel or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Basel or Pamplona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Basel than Pamplona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pamplona.

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

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

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

The beautiful city of Basel 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 laid-back 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 Basel or Pamplona?

Basel 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 Basel, 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 Basel or Pamplona?

Basel 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 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 Basel or Pamplona?

Basel 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic 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 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel 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 Basel 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 Basel or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Basel is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamplona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. Basel usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Pamplona. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Basel during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Basel is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Pamplona averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Basel usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Pamplona. The winter months attract visitors to Basel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

The weather in Basel can be very cold. In January, Basel is generally much colder than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Basel usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basel as well as Pamplona. The natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pamplona for the activities around the city.

Basel is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Basel usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Basel