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

Should you visit Pamplona or Urbino?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Urbino? 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 nightlife, food, and hiking.

Urbino

Urbino is a undiscovered, authentic, and laid back town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pamplona and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Urbino?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona. Although Pamplona and Urbino are both popular with visitors, Pamplona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pamplona is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, and big city activities, while Urbino is known for its impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Urbino and is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also home to The Running of the Bulls Festival. Urbino is popular for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Pamplona different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Urbino. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

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

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).

Urbino has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Pamplona or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is great for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Many people head to Pamplona for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Pamplona or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the good old towns in both Pamplona and Urbino.

Many people head to Pamplona to see the old town. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Urbino has an old town worth visiting. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is Pamplona or Urbino Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Urbino 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.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Urbino?

Both Pamplona and Urbino 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.

Urbino has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Pamplona or Urbino Better for Families?

Pamplona is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Pamplona offers lots of family activities. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Pamplona or Urbino Better for Couples?

Urbino 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.

Urbino is a very popular place to visit for couples. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

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 Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Pamplona or Urbino Better for Students?

Urbino is a well-known place for students. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Urbino is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

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

Pamplona is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Pamplona offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive bus system around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Pamplona or Urbino a more walkable city?

Pamplona is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Urbino?

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

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

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

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 beautiful town of Urbino 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 Urbino?

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.

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

Five days in Pamplona or Urbino?

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.

Urbino 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 Urbino?

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.

Urbino 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Pamplona and Urbino, 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 Urbino Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Urbino?

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

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 Urbino in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Urbino. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Urbino for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Pamplona is cooler than Urbino. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pamplona in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Urbino averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Pamplona usually gets more rain in July than Urbino. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Urbino in the Autumn?

Both Urbino and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Urbino because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Pamplona is generally around the same temperature as Urbino. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 16°C (60°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. In October, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Urbino. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pamplona or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino and Pamplona during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

It's quite cold in Urbino in the winter. Pamplona is much warmer than Urbino in the winter. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in January than Urbino. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Urbino in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Urbino. The activities around the city are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Urbino for the natural beauty.

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

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Urbino. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Pamplona