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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pamplona

Pamplona is a laid-back, historic, and elegant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Galway and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Pamplona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Pamplona is more touristy than Galway and is known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also well known for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Galway and Pamplona have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Pamplona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Galway or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pamplona is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pamplona makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both Galway and Pamplona.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Pamplona has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Galway or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

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

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is Galway or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway is not a hiking destination.

Pamplona is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Pamplona?

Both Galway and Pamplona are nice shopping destinations.

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

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.

Is Galway or Pamplona Better for Families?

Both Galway and Pamplona are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

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 Galway or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Both Galway and Pamplona are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Galway is a nice destination for couples. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

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 Galway or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Galway and Pamplona are excellent destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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.

Is Galway or Pamplona Better for Students?

Galway and Pamplona are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Galway is a good city to visit for students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Both Galway and Pamplona offer nice public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

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

Is Galway or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Galway and Pamplona both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Galway?

How long in Galway or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Galway or Pamplona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Galway than Pamplona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pamplona.

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

The city of Galway offers food and shopping. 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.

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 Galway or Pamplona?

Galway 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 Galway, 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 Galway or Pamplona?

Galway 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 Galway or Pamplona?

Galway 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 historic 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 Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Galway 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 Galway Expensive? and Is Pamplona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Pamplona?

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

Both Pamplona and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamplona. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Galway during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Galway is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Pamplona. Most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Galway is much colder than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the winter. Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Galway usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galway as well as Pamplona. The spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Galway usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Galway