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

Should you visit Chartres or Pamplona?

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

Should I visit Chartres 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.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

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. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Chartres and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Pamplona?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pamplona than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pamplona is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Pamplona is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. Also, Pamplona is famous for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Chartres different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Chartres and Pamplona.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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 Chartres or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Pamplona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Pamplona for the nightlife scene. 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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Pamplona. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Chartres or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Chartres 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.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Pamplona?

Pamplona is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Pamplona Better for Families?

Pamplona is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Chartres or Pamplona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chartres and Pamplona make for a notable place to visit.

Chartres makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Pamplona is a good town 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 Chartres or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

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.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Is Chartres or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

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.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Chartres 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 Chartres can get you to some places easily. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

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

Is Chartres or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Chartres and Pamplona are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town 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 Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chartres or Pamplona to fill your time. In our opinion, Pamplona has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pamplona than Chartres. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

The city of Pamplona offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Chartres or Pamplona?

Chartres is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chartres, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Pamplona 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pamplona, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Pamplona?

Chartres 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 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.

A week in Chartres or Pamplona?

Chartres 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 town offers something for everyone.

Pamplona is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres 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 Chartres 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 Chartres or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Chartres during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm 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.

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

In Pamplona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chartres. In the summer, Chartres often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Pamplona. The small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

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

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Chartres gets 126 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, Chartres usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Pamplona. Many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Chartres. In January, Chartres is generally much colder than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Chartres usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Chartres gets 173 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, Chartres usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Chartres