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

Should you visit Pamplona or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Amalfi? 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.

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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Pamplona and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Pamplona, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Pamplona is more popular for its big city activities. Amalfi is more touristy than Pamplona and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline. Pamplona is well known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival.

How is Pamplona different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Pamplona and Amalfi.

Pamplona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Amalfi. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

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

Amalfi is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Amalfi is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

Pamplona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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 Pamplona or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Both Pamplona and Amalfi are excellent when it comes to partying.

Pamplona offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Amalfi has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

Is Pamplona or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few good snorkeling spots. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pamplona or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a popular place for the beache. However, Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Amalfi is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Pamplona or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi 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 Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

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

Is Pamplona or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Pamplona and Amalfi both have excellent trails.

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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Amalfi. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Amalfi?

Both Pamplona and Amalfi are notable shopping destinations.

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.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Pamplona or Amalfi Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Pamplona or Amalfi.

Pamplona is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Amalfi is a family-friendly city. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Pamplona or Amalfi Better for Couples?

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

Amalfi makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

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 Pamplona or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is well known for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pamplona is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Pamplona or Amalfi Better for Students?

Pamplona is a city with good options for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with students.

Pamplona is popular with students. This is a quiet city, which appeals to some students. The laid back atmosphere makes it a nice place to relax and learn.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Both Pamplona and Amalfi offer notable public transit options.

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

Amalfi has some public transit options. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Pamplona or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi 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 Amalfi on foot. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy 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 Pamplona Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Amalfi?

Both Pamplona and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Pamplona. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Pamplona, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

One day in Pamplona or Amalfi?

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.

The beautiful town of Amalfi offers museums and nightlife. 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.

A weekend in Pamplona or Amalfi?

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.

Amalfi 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 visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amalfi, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pamplona or Amalfi?

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.

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

A week in Pamplona or Amalfi?

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.

Amalfi is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amalfi has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Amalfi?

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

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 Pamplona or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Amalfi. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Pamplona is cooler than Amalfi in the summer. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amalfi this time of the year. In Pamplona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pamplona or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Amalfi. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Pamplona is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pamplona in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pamplona usually gets more rain in October than Amalfi. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

In January, Pamplona is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 8°C (47°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. It's quite rainy in Pamplona. In January, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pamplona or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Pamplona during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in April than Amalfi. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Pamplona