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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Pamplona?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Pamplona can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and theater.

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 nightlife, food, and hiking.

Edinburgh and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Pamplona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Pamplona. Edinburgh is bigger than Pamplona, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pamplona is more popular for its food and hiking. Edinburgh is more touristy than Pamplona and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Pamplona is well known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival.

How is Edinburgh different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Edinburgh are among the most recognizable in the world. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for Theater?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Pamplona is not a theatre destination.

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

Pamplona is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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).

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Pamplona.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for Music?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Pamplona is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is terrific for its old town. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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

Is Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Pamplona?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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 Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for Families?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is terrific for backpackers. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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 Edinburgh or Pamplona Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for students. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Edinburgh and Pamplona.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if 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.

Is Edinburgh or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Pamplona?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Pamplona 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Pamplona?

The beautiful city of Edinburgh offers theater and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pamplona has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Pamplona?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Pamplona?

Edinburgh is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Pamplona. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Edinburgh or Pamplona?

Edinburgh 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.

Pamplona is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Pamplona?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Pamplona. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Pamplona in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is cooler than Pamplona in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is much colder than Pamplona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Pamplona averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Pamplona in the Winter?

Both Pamplona and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Pamplona. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

Edinburgh is much colder than Pamplona in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Edinburgh