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

Should you visit Ghent or Pamplona?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Pamplona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ghent

Ghent is a youthful, high energy, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. 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 food, hiking, and shopping.

Ghent and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Pamplona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pamplona. Although Ghent and Pamplona are popular destinations, Pamplona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pamplona is very popular for its hiking and big city activities, while Ghent attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Ghent 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. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ghent is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

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 Ghent or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Ghent and Pamplona both to be superb destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ghent makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

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).

Is Ghent or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Ghent is a must-see party destination. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

Pamplona has a large number of nightlife venues. 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 Ghent or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

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

Is Ghent or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Pamplona?

Ghent 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.

Ghent is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

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 Ghent or Pamplona Better for Families?

Both Ghent and Pamplona are nice family-friendly destinations.

Ghent is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

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 Ghent or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Ghent 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.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for couples. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

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 Ghent or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Ghent or Pamplona Better for Students?

Ghent is terrific for students. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

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

Ghent is terrific 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.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Ghent can take you anywhere. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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

Is Ghent or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Ghent and Pamplona both are superb when exploring on foot.

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally 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 Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Pamplona?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ghent 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 Ghent.

One day in Ghent or Pamplona?

The beautiful city of Ghent offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Pamplona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this elegant destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Ghent or Pamplona?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Pamplona?

Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Pamplona?

Ghent is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Pamplona?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent 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 Ghent or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ghent is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamplona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Ghent during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Ghent is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Ghent gets 105 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. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Pamplona. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. Ghent is much colder than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Pamplona. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Ghent