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

Should you visit Cardiff or Pamplona?

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

Should I visit Cardiff 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.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a industrial, up-and-coming, and green city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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 hiking, shopping, and museums.

Cardiff and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Pamplona?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pamplona than Cardiff. While Cardiff is larger than Pamplona, Pamplona has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pamplona is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking, while Cardiff is more popular for its impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Cardiff 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. Cardiff is well known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe.

How is Cardiff different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Cardiff and Pamplona.

Cardiff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

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 Cardiff or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pamplona is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Pamplona know how to have a good time. 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 Cardiff has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Is Cardiff or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Pamplona to see the old town. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is Cardiff or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Cardiff 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.

Cardiff is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Pamplona?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pamplona and Cardiff.

Cardiff offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

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 Cardiff or Pamplona Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cardiff or Pamplona.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cardiff. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

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 Cardiff or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Pamplona is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Pamplona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is a great destination for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Cardiff or Pamplona Better for Students?

Cardiff and Pamplona are notable places to visit for students.

Cardiff is popular with students. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

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.

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

Pamplona is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Pamplona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Pamplona is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Pamplona?

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

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

The city of Cardiff offers nightlife and shopping. 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 Cardiff or Pamplona?

Cardiff 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 Cardiff, 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 Cardiff or Pamplona?

Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Pamplona?

Cardiff 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.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours 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 Cardiff and Pamplona, we can see that Cardiff 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is Pamplona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Pamplona?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Pamplona. The summer months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city activities and 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.

Cardiff is cooler than Pamplona in the summer. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamplona this time of the year. In Cardiff, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during summer. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cardiff or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Pamplona. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cardiff 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 the autumn, Cardiff is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cardiff in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Pamplona averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Cardiff receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cardiff usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Pamplona in the Winter?

Both Pamplona and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cardiff 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 Cardiff. In January, Cardiff is generally much colder than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 3°C (38°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Cardiff 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, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cardiff or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Cardiff during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.

Cardiff is cooler than Pamplona in the spring. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Cardiff gets 183 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. Cardiff usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Cardiff