A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Pamplona for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Interlaken or Pamplona?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Interlaken and Pamplona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Interlaken and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Pamplona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pamplona. Although Interlaken and Pamplona are popular destinations, Pamplona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pamplona is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Pamplona and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. 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 Interlaken different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Pamplona Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a popular place for snow skiing. However, Pamplona is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Interlaken is a great destination to visit. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Pamplona is not a skiing destination.

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

Pamplona is very good for its museums and history. However, Interlaken 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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Pamplona both to be great destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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).

Is Interlaken or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is very good for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Pamplona is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Pamplona?

Pamplona is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Pamplona Better for Families?

Interlaken is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Interlaken is a very family-friendly destination. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

Pamplona is a family-friendly town. 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 Interlaken or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Interlaken is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Interlaken makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

Pamplona is a good town 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 Interlaken or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

Is Interlaken or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

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.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Interlaken 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 Interlaken can get you to some places easily. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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

Is Interlaken or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Pamplona?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pamplona than Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Pamplona?

The beautiful town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Pamplona, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pamplona, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Pamplona?

Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Pamplona, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Interlaken or Pamplona?

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pamplona, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Pamplona?

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Pamplona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken 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 Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Pamplona. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In the summer, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Pamplona. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

In October, Interlaken is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 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, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Pamplona in the Winter?

Both Pamplona and Interlaken during the winter are popular places to visit. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. Interlaken is much colder than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Interlaken gets 55 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. Interlaken usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Pamplona. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during spring. Interlaken gets 150 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, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Interlaken