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

Should you visit Calais or Pamplona?

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

Should I visit Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, 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. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Calais and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Pamplona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pamplona than Calais, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pamplona is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking, while Calais is known for its beaches. Pamplona is more touristy than Calais 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. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Calais different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Calais or Pamplona.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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 Calais or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pamplona is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Pamplona is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Calais or Pamplona Better for Beaches?

Calais is a popular place for the beache. However, Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Calais or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Pamplona offers a nice historic old town area. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is Calais or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Pamplona?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pamplona and Calais.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

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 Calais or Pamplona Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Calais or Pamplona.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Pamplona offers lots of family activities. 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 Calais or Pamplona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Calais and Pamplona make for a good place to visit.

Calais is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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 Calais or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is well known for backpackers. However, Calais 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Calais or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is a popular place for students. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Calais 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 Calais and Pamplona.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

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

Is Calais or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Pamplona is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Calais?

How long in Calais or Pamplona?

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

Families should spend more time in Pamplona than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais or Pamplona?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Calais or Pamplona?

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

Pamplona is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Calais or Pamplona?

Calais 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Calais or Pamplona?

Calais 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 city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the elegant destination of Pamplona. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais 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 Calais or Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Pamplona. The summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

In July, Calais is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°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 Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. Calais usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Calais as well as Pamplona. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Calais is cooler than Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Calais usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Pamplona in the Winter?

Both Pamplona and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Calais 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 Calais. In the winter, Calais is much colder than Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Calais gets 57 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, Calais usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Calais during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Calais is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Calais gets 162 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. Calais usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Calais