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

Should you visit Bern or Pamplona?

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

Should I visit Bern or Pamplona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bern

Bern is a historic, charming, 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 laid-back, historic, and elegant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Pamplona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Pamplona is very popular for its food, nightlife, hiking, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Bern and is known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also well known for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bern 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.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

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 Bern or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pamplona is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pamplona makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Pamplona offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Bern 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 Bern. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

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

Is Bern or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern 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.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Pamplona?

Bern 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.

Bern is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

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 Bern or Pamplona Better for Families?

Bern 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.

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

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 Bern or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Bern 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.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

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 Bern or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Pamplona are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Many 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.

Is Bern or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern 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 Bern can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

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

Is Bern or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Bern and Pamplona both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Bern is very walkable. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

Pamplona is a very walkable city. 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 Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Bern?

How long in Bern or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bern or Pamplona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bern 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 Bern, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pamplona.

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

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

One day in Bern or Pamplona?

The beautiful city of Bern 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Pamplona?

Bern 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 Bern, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Pamplona is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Five days in Bern or Pamplona?

Bern 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Pamplona. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Pamplona?

Bern 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.

The laid-back city of Pamplona offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 Bern and Pamplona, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive? and Is Pamplona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bern or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern 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 Bern or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

In the summer, Bern is around the same temperature as Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamplona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Bern gets 126 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. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Pamplona. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. Bern is much colder than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Bern gets 65 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, Bern usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Pamplona. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Bern is around the same temperature as Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Bern usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Bern