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

Should you visit Pamplona or Bologna?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Bologna? 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 elegant, laid-back, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bologna

Bologna is a historical, culinary, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pamplona and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Bologna?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pamplona than Bologna. While Bologna is larger than Pamplona, Pamplona has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pamplona is more popular for its hiking and big city activities, while Bologna is known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Bologna and is known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also home to The Running of the Bulls Festival. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.

How is Pamplona different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna 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 Bologna?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Pamplona and Bologna.

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 Bologna. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

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

Bologna 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, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Both Pamplona and Bologna are great 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.

Bologna has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Is Pamplona or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna 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 Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

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

Is Pamplona or Bologna Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bologna is not a hiking destination.

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.

Bologna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Bologna?

Bologna 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.

Bologna is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

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 Pamplona or Bologna Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Pamplona or Bologna.

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.

Bologna is a family-friendly city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Pamplona or Bologna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Pamplona and Bologna make for a good place to visit.

Pamplona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Bologna is a good city for couples to visit. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Pamplona or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Pamplona and Bologna are great destinations for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Is Pamplona or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna 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 Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

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

Both Pamplona and Bologna offer good public transit options.

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

Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Pamplona or Bologna a more walkable city?

Pamplona and Bologna both are great when exploring on foot.

Pamplona is a very walkable city. 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.

Bologna is a very walkable destination. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pamplona and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bologna than in Pamplona. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Pamplona, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

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

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

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

One day in Pamplona or Bologna?

In Pamplona, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful city of Bologna offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Pamplona or Bologna?

In Pamplona, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pamplona has to offer.

Bologna 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 Bologna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pamplona or Bologna?

Pamplona is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Bologna is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

A week in Pamplona or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pamplona. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Bologna is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pamplona is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pamplona in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Bologna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Bologna. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pamplona or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and Pamplona during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Pamplona is generally around the same temperature as Bologna. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 16°C (60°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.

Bologna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in October than Bologna. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Bologna. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. Pamplona is much warmer than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Bologna. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pamplona or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Bologna. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Pamplona is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pamplona in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pamplona usually gets more rain in April than Bologna. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Pamplona