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

Should you visit Manchester 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 Manchester and Pamplona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

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.

Manchester and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Pamplona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester than Pamplona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Manchester is very popular for its museums, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Pamplona attracts visitors for its historical sights and hiking. Pamplona is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Manchester 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.

Manchester offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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 Manchester or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Pamplona offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

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 Manchester or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Manchester and Pamplona.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

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 Manchester or Pamplona Better for Music?

Manchester is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Pamplona is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester is very popular with diverse venues. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Pamplona is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is very good for its historic old town. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is Manchester or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Pamplona?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester or Pamplona Better for Families?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United 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 Manchester or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Pamplona Better for Students?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Manchester 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 Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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

Is Manchester or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Pamplona is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Manchester or Pamplona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Manchester than Pamplona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pamplona.

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

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

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

Manchester is a big city with plenty to do. 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 elegant 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 Manchester or Pamplona?

Manchester 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester or Pamplona?

Manchester 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.

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 Manchester or Pamplona?

Manchester 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.

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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Pamplona?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Pamplona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Pamplona. The autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, 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, Manchester is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Manchester gets 97 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, Manchester usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Pamplona. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. Manchester is much colder than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Manchester usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Manchester is much colder than Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Manchester usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during spring. Manchester gets 144 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, Manchester usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Manchester gets 51 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 Manchester