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

Should you visit Pamplona or Pisa?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Pisa? 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. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a classic, charming, and iconic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Pamplona and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Pisa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Pamplona than Pisa. Pamplona is bigger than Pisa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Pamplona is better known for its hiking and big city activities, while Pisa is more popular for its museums, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is well known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. Also, Pamplona is famous for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Pamplona different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pisa 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.

Pisa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

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 Pamplona or Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Pamplona and Pisa.

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).

Pisa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Is Pamplona or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Both Pamplona and Pisa are high quality 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.

Pisa has a large number of nightlife venues. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

Is Pamplona or Pisa Better for Beaches?

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

Pisa is a good option for a beach vacation. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Pamplona or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa 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 Pisa. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

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

Is Pamplona or Pisa Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a great city for hiking. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Pisa?

Pisa 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.

Pisa is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

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 Pisa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Pamplona or Pisa.

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.

Pisa is a family-friendly city. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

Is Pamplona or Pisa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Pamplona and Pisa make for a notable 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.

Pisa is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Pamplona or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Pamplona and Pisa are high quality 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 Pisa. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

Is Pamplona or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa 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 Pisa. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

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 Pisa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Pamplona and Pisa offer notable public transit options.

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

Pisa has some public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Pamplona or Pisa a more walkable city?

Pamplona and Pisa both are high quality 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.

Pisa is a very walkable destination. The city is a great place to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Pisa?

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

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

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

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

One day in Pamplona or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The beautiful city of Pisa 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 Pisa?

Pamplona is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Pamplona or Pisa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Pamplona. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Pisa 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.

A week in Pamplona or Pisa?

The laid-back city of Pamplona offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Pisa is a great place to explore. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Pamplona and Pisa, we can see that Pamplona is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pamplona Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Pisa?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Pisa, 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 Pisa?

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 Pamplona or Pisa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Pisa. The summer months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

Pamplona is cooler than Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pisa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamplona this time of the year. In the summer, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Pamplona usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. It's quite rainy in Pamplona. In October, Pamplona usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pisa. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pamplona or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Pamplona during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pamplona is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 8°C (47°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in January than Pisa. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Pisa. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Pisa. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Pamplona