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

Should you visit Graz or Pamplona?

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

Should I visit Graz 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.

Graz

Graz is a cultural, historical, and beautiful city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Graz and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Pamplona?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pamplona than Graz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pamplona is better known for its hiking and big city activities, while Graz is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Graz is well known for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. Pamplona is well known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. Also, Pamplona is famous for The Running of the Bulls Festival.

How is Graz different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Graz 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.

Graz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

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 Graz or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Graz and Pamplona.

Graz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

Dining out in Pamplona is an experience not to be missed. 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 Graz or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Graz and Pamplona.

Many people head to Graz for the nightlife scene. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

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 Graz or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Graz 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.

Graz has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

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

Is Graz or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Graz 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.

Graz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Pamplona?

Graz 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.

Graz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

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 Graz or Pamplona Better for Families?

Graz 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.

Graz is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

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 Graz or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Graz 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.

Graz is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

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 Graz or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Graz or Pamplona Better for Students?

Graz 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.

Graz is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

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

Graz 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 Graz can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

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

Is Graz or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Graz 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 Graz on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore 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 Graz Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Graz?

How long in Graz or Pamplona?

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

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

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

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

One day in Graz or Pamplona?

The city of Graz offers food and shopping. 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.

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 Graz or Pamplona?

Graz 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 Graz, 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 Graz or Pamplona?

Graz 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the elegant 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 Graz or Pamplona?

Graz 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.

The historic 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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Graz and Pamplona, we can see that Pamplona is more expensive. And not only is Graz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Graz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Graz 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 Pamplona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamplona than you might in Graz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Graz Expensive? and Is Pamplona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Graz or Pamplona?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Graz 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 Graz 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 Graz or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Graz during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Graz because of 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.

Graz is a little warmer than Pamplona in the summer. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 23°C (73°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 Graz. In the summer, Graz often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Pamplona. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Pamplona. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Graz 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, Graz is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Graz in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Pamplona averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Graz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during autumn. Graz gets 139 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, Graz usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Graz as well as Pamplona. Many travelers come to Graz for the museums, the shopping scene, 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 Graz. In January, Graz is generally much colder than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 1°C (34°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Graz usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Pamplona in the Spring?

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

Graz is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the spring. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Graz gets 158 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, Graz usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Graz