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

Should you visit Faro or Pamplona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Pamplona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Faro

Faro is a busy, active, and popular resort town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Pamplona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pamplona. Although Faro and Pamplona are popular destinations, Pamplona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pamplona is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, and big city activities, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. Pamplona is famous for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also well known for The Running of the Bulls Festival.

How is Faro different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pamplona is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Pamplona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Faro. It has become a major tourist town, so you have to get a bit creative to find a more traditional restaurant. Look for fresh seafood like cod, monkfish, or shellfish if you want some local flavors.

Is Faro or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Faro and Pamplona.

Many people head to Faro for the nightlife scene. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

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 Faro or Pamplona Better for Resorts?

Faro is terrific for its resorts. However, Pamplona is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Faro is a great choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Pamplona is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Pamplona Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few good snorkeling spots. There are both snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area. It's possible to snorkel off of several beaches or arrange a scuba diving excursion with a local dive shop.

Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Pamplona Better for Beaches?

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

Faro is a good option for a beach vacation. The most popular beach in the area is Faro Beach. It can get crowded during the summer months but if you walk a bit you can often get away from the crowds. To reach the beach you'll need a car or you can take the bus as the beach is about 10 km away.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Faro and Pamplona both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

Faro is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find historic buildings and cobblestone streets in the old town. It's a nice place to explore, grab a bite to eat, and do a little shopping.

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

Is Faro or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Faro 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.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Pamplona?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Pamplona both offer plenty of nice spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Faro. The town isn't as big as some others, so it's shopping scene isn't as comprehensive, but you will find the major brands as well as souvenir shops to peruse when you need a break from the beach.

Pamplona offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Faro or Pamplona Better for Families?

Pamplona is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro 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.

Faro is not the most family-friendly destination. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Is Faro or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Faro and Pamplona are both nice to visit as a couple.

Faro is a nice destination for couples. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

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.

Is Faro or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Faro is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Is Faro or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro 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.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

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

While Faro offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

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

Is Faro or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Pamplona is great for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Pamplona is very walkable. 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.

Faro is a somewhat walkable place. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Faro?

How long in Faro or Pamplona?

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

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

The resort town of Faro offers nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Pamplona?

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

Pamplona is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Faro or Pamplona?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Pamplona. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Faro or Pamplona?

Faro is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort town offers something for everyone.

The elegant city of Pamplona offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Pamplona?

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

Both Pamplona and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Pamplona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Pamplona. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Faro gets 222 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, Faro usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Faro 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 Faro or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Pamplona. The winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

Faro is a little warmer than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Faro usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Faro gets 248 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, Faro usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Faro