A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pamplona vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Backpackers, and Couples

Should you visit Pamplona or Pompeii?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Pompeii? 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. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. And you can't forget about the museums.

Pamplona and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona. Although Pamplona and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Pamplona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pamplona is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Pompeii is known for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Pamplona and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Pamplona is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also home to The Running of the Bulls Festival.

How is Pamplona different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Pompeii are among the most recognizable in the world. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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 Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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).

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Pamplona or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Pamplona has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Pamplona or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

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

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is Pamplona or Pompeii Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Pompeii?

Pamplona is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Pamplona or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is a very kid-friendly archeological site. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Pamplona is a family-friendly city. 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 Pamplona or Pompeii Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Pamplona and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Pamplona or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Pamplona. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Pamplona or Pompeii Better for Students?

Pamplona and Pompeii are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

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

Plenty of students visit Pompeii. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Both Pamplona and Pompeii offer good public transit options.

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

Pompeii has some public transit options. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Pamplona or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pamplona or Pompeii to fill your time. In our opinion, Pamplona has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Pamplona than Pompeii. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

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 archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. 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 Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this archeological site makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pompeii, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pamplona or Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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 Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Pamplona and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Pamplona or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Pamplona during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pamplona is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pamplona in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Pompeii, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pamplona. In the summer, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Pamplona usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Pompeii in the Autumn?

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

In October, Pamplona is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 16°C (60°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pamplona or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Pompeii. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Pompeii for the museums during these months.

Pamplona is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.

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

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. In April, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Pamplona