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

Should you visit Pamplona or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Rijeka? 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.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a slow-paced, coastal, and accessible town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pamplona and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Rijeka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pamplona than Rijeka, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pamplona is more popular for its food, historical sights, and hiking, while Rijeka is known for its beaches. Pamplona is more touristy than Rijeka 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. Rijeka is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Pamplona different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Rijeka. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

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

Pamplona is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Pamplona is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is Pamplona or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Both Pamplona and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka has a large number of nightlife venues. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

Is Pamplona or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is a moderate town for the beache. However, Pamplona is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Rijeka. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Pamplona or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

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

Pamplona offers a nice historic old town area. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is Pamplona or Rijeka Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Rijeka?

Both Pamplona and Rijeka are good 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.

Rijeka has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Pamplona or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is a very kid-friendly town. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

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 Rijeka Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Pamplona and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is a good city for couples to visit. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Pamplona or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pamplona is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Rijeka. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Pamplona or Rijeka Better for Students?

Pamplona and Rijeka 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 Rijeka. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

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

Both Pamplona and Rijeka offer good public transit options.

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

Rijeka has some public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Pamplona or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Pamplona is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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.

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pamplona or Rijeka 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 Rijeka. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Pamplona than Rijeka. 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 Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The town of Rijeka offers food and shopping. 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 Rijeka?

Pamplona is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Pamplona or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Pamplona. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Rijeka is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamplona and Rijeka, we can see that Pamplona is more expensive. And not only is Rijeka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rijeka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rijeka 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 Pamplona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamplona than you might in Rijeka.

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

Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Rijeka?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka 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 Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Rijeka. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during summer. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pamplona or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka 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 Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in October than Rijeka. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Rijeka in the Winter?

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

Pamplona is much warmer than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during winter. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 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 Rijeka. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pamplona or Rijeka in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Pamplona is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pamplona in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pamplona usually gets more rain in April than Rijeka. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Pamplona