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

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Pamplona

Pamplona is a laid-back, historic, and elegant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Pamplona?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pamplona than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Pamplona, Pamplona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pamplona is very popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its museums, theatre productions, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Pamplona is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also well known for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Birmingham 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.

Birmingham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's 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 Birmingham or Pamplona Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its theatre productions. However, Pamplona is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Pamplona is not a theatre destination.

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

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

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).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Birmingham and Pamplona.

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

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.

Is Birmingham or Pamplona Better for Music?

Birmingham is terrific for its live music scene. However, Pamplona is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Birmingham The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Pamplona is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

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

Pamplona is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is Birmingham or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Pamplona?

Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

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 Birmingham or Pamplona Better for Families?

Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is a very kid-friendly city. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

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 Birmingham or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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 Birmingham or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Pamplona is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Pamplona Better for Students?

Birmingham is terrific for students. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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

Birmingham and Pamplona both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

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

Is Birmingham or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Pamplona are great when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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 Birmingham Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Birmingham or Pamplona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Birmingham than Pamplona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pamplona.

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

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the laid-back city of Pamplona, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pamplona, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Pamplona?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Pamplona, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Pamplona?

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pamplona, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Pamplona?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. 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.

Pamplona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Birmingham and Pamplona, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is Pamplona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Pamplona?

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

Both Pamplona and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the music scene 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 the summer, Birmingham is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Pamplona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Pamplona in the Autumn?

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

In October, Birmingham is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 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, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Pamplona in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. Birmingham is much colder than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Birmingham is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Birmingham in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during spring. Birmingham gets 136 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, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Birmingham