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

Should you visit Oxford or Pamplona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Pamplona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Oxford

Oxford is a scholarly, collegiate, and beautiful college town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Oxford and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Pamplona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona than Oxford. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Pamplona is very popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while Oxford attracts visitors for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also well known for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oxford 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.

Oxford offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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 Oxford or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pamplona is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Oxford or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Oxford and Pamplona.

Oxford has a large number of nightlife venues. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

Pamplona is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Oxford or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is Oxford or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Oxford is not a hiking destination.

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.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Pamplona?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Oxford and Pamplona.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Oxford. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Pamplona offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Oxford or Pamplona Better for Families?

Oxford and Pamplona are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Oxford is a family-friendly college town. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pamplona. 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 Oxford or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Oxford 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.

Oxford is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Pamplona is a good college 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 Oxford or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options 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.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Oxford or Pamplona Better for Students?

Oxford 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 Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Oxford and Pamplona.

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

You'll find some public transit in Pamplona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Oxford or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Oxford and Pamplona are very good when it comes to walkability.

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

Pamplona is a very walkable college town. 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 Oxford Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Pamplona?

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

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

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

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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 Oxford or Pamplona?

Oxford is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this college town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oxford, 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 Oxford or Pamplona?

Oxford 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 Oxford or Pamplona?

Oxford 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 college town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in 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 Oxford and Pamplona, we can see that Oxford 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 Oxford would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oxford 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 Oxford Expensive? and Is Pamplona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford 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 Oxford 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 Oxford or Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Pamplona. Many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In the summer, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

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

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Oxford gets 107 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, Oxford usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Oxford 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 Oxford or Pamplona in the Winter?

Both Pamplona and Oxford during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Oxford because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

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

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Oxford gets 52 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. Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Pamplona. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the activities around the city.

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

Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during spring. Oxford gets 147 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, Oxford usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Oxford