A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pamplona vs. Reykjavik for Hiking, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Pamplona or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Reykjavik? 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 laid-back, historic, and elegant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Pamplona and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Pamplona is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Pamplona is famous for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also well known for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Reykjavik is famous for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Pamplona different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pamplona is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Pamplona is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Pamplona or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Pamplona or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Pamplona is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Pamplona or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Reykjavik?

Both Pamplona and Reykjavik are nice 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.

Reykjavik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Pamplona or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very kid-friendly city. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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 Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Pamplona is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Pamplona or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Pamplona and Reykjavik are both nice 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 Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Both Pamplona and Reykjavik offer nice public transit options.

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

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Pamplona or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Pamplona and Reykjavik both are very good 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.

Reykjavik is a very walkable destination. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Reykjavik?

In either Pamplona or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Pamplona because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Pamplona, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pamplona has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Reykjavik offers shopping and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the elegant destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Five days in Pamplona or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the elegant city of Pamplona. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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.

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

Pamplona is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Reykjavik?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pamplona is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 20°C (68°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamplona. In the summer, Pamplona often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Pamplona usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. Pamplona is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Pamplona usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 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 Reykjavik. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pamplona or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the winter, Pamplona is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pamplona in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Pamplona often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the winter. Pamplona usually gets more rain in January than Reykjavik. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik 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. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In April, Pamplona is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 12°C (54°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Pamplona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik during spring. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. In April, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Pamplona