A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Pamplona vs. Playa del Ingles for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pamplona or Playa del Ingles?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Playa del Ingles? 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.

Where Should I go: Pamplona or Playa del Ingles?

Pamplona

Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.

Playa del Ingles

Translating to "Englishman's Beach," Playa del Ingles is a sea resort located on the south coast of the Gran Canaria island of Spain's Canary Islands. Since the 1960s it has been built up to accommodate tourists from around the world, especially from Europe. Some of the most popular attractions include an abundance of bars and clubs as well as beachside activities like swimming, surfing, scuba, and snorkeling.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Playa del Ingles or Pamplona?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pamplona is €131, while the average daily cost in Playa del Ingles is €180. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pamplona and Playa del Ingles in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pamplona 67
    Playa del Ingles 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pamplona 134
    Playa del Ingles 186
Compare Hotels in Pamplona and Playa del Ingles

Looking for a hotel in Pamplona or Playa del Ingles? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Pamplona


Hotels in Playa del Ingles


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pamplona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pamplona 24
    Playa del Ingles 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:

  • Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian Airport: $244
  • Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $244
  • Private Transfer from Pamplona Airport to Laguardia town: $282

Is it cheaper to fly into Pamplona or Playa del Ingles?

Prices for flights to both Playa del Ingles and Pamplona change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pamplona 41
    Playa del Ingles 49
Typical Food Prices in Pamplona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    10
  • Ice Cream
    4.50
  • Coffee
    1.30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pamplona 34
    Playa del Ingles 33

Tours and Activities in Pamplona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:

  • Biarritz and French Basque coast small group tour, lunch included: $260
  • Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $218
  • From San Sebastian: Pamplona City Tour: $91
  • Logroño historic&cultural guided walking tour: $32
  • Pamplona - Private Historic Walking Tour: $427
  • Pamplona Private Tour with Castle of Javier : $240
  • Pamplona pintxo tasting paired with Spanish wines small group tour: $72
  • Private City Tour Pamplona: $174
  • Private tour of Fuenterrabia and San Sebastian.: $283
  • Private tour of Getaria, Zumaia, Zarautz and Orio. : $204
  • Private tour of Lourdes and the three sacred temples: $240
  • Private tour of the jewels of Bilbao, with Guggenheim and pintxos tasting. : $251

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pamplona 31
    Playa del Ingles 7.86

Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona

Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $218
  • Wine tour of La Rioja, with two winery visits, and La Guardia. : $221
  • Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Logroño: $240
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Pamplona: $240
  • Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Logroño: $251
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Pamplona: $251
  • Rioja Wine Tour: $283


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


Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Playa del Ingles?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Playa del Ingles. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Playa del Ingles, 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 Playa del Ingles?

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 Playa del Ingles in the Summer?

Both Playa del Ingles and Pamplona during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pamplona is generally around the same temperature as Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 20°C (68°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Playa del Ingles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pamplona. In the summer, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Playa del Ingles. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Ingles receives 293 hours of full sun.

Pamplona usually gets more rain in July than Playa del Ingles. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pamplona 20°C (68°F) 
    Playa del Ingles 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Pamplona or Playa del Ingles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Playa del Ingles. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Pamplona is cooler than Playa del Ingles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Ingles this time of the year. Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Ingles during autumn. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Ingles receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pamplona 16°C (60°F) 
    Playa del Ingles 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Pamplona or Playa del Ingles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Playa del Ingles. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Pamplona is much colder than Playa del Ingles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pamplona in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Playa del Ingles averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the winter, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Playa del Ingles. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Ingles receives 187 hours of full sun.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the winter. Pamplona usually gets more rain in January than Playa del Ingles. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pamplona 8°C (47°F) 
    Playa del Ingles 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Pamplona or Playa del Ingles in the Spring?

Both Playa del Ingles and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the activities around the city.

In April, Pamplona is generally much colder than Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 12°C (54°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Ingles. Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Ingles during spring. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Ingles receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. In April, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pamplona 12°C (54°F) 
    Playa del Ingles 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Playa del Ingles and Pamplona

Pamplona Playa del Ingles
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 184 mm (7.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)