A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pamplona vs. Zadar for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Pamplona or Zadar?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Zadar? 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 historic, elegant, and laid-back city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Zadar

Zadar is a laid back, relaxed, and coastal town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Pamplona and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Zadar?

You'll generally find more things to do in Pamplona than Zadar. Pamplona is bigger than Zadar, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Pamplona is better known for its nightlife, hiking, and big city activities, while Zadar is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Zadar and is known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. Also, Pamplona is famous for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Zadar is well known for its historical sights and waterfront setting.

How is Pamplona different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Pamplona and Zadar.

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 Zadar. The old town is like a living museum, with city walls and a historic gate. The Church of St. Donatus, Zadar Cathedral, and the Zadar Archaeological Museum are all fascinating places to visit in town, but if you're looking for the most unique sight, make sure you check out The Sea Organ and The Sun Salutation.

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

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

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).

Zadar has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is filled with outdoor cafes that serve up a healthy and delicious selection of recipes. The ingredients are fresh and local with olive oil and seafood making frequent appearances on the menus. Prices are also reasonable.

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zadar. The town comes to life at night when the bars and restaurants fill with people chatting and socializing. This is an easy place to enjoy the evening as almost all of the nightlife venues are within a five minute walk of each other.

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Pamplona is not a resort destination.

Zadar is known as a popular and fun resort destination. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Pamplona is not a resort destination.

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Zadar has a few good snorkeling spots. This is an easy place to snorkel because the water is so clear. There are also half and full day snorkeling trips that take you to some of the best spots.

Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is a well-known place for the beache. However, Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Zadar is considered a top beach destination. There are some nice beaches outside of town with one of the most famous being Sakarun Beach, which is part of the Zadar archipelago. There are a handful of beaches nearby that are pebbly and popular with the locals. These include Puntamika Beach and Beach Borik.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Zadar is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Zadar. The small old town is filled with charm and character. It's a walled medieval town that can easily be explored in a few hours.

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

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for Hiking?

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

Zadar is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Zadar?

Both Pamplona and Zadar are notable 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.

Zadar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Pamplona or Zadar.

Pamplona is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Zadar is a family-friendly city. It's fun to explore the small medieval old town, but the kids will also appreciate getting out of town and enjoying the nearby activities. It's definitely worth visiting Pag Island or any of the other natural settings that are nearby. There are also several beaches near town. In town, make sure you hear the Sea Organ and dance at the Sun Salutation.

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for Couples?

Zadar 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.

Zadar is a very popular place to visit for couples. This charming seaside town is fun to explore as a couple. There's a walled medieval town that is small and easy to wander around. There are also nearby beaches and great restaurants to explore. A highlight of a visit is watching the stunning sunsets by the water.

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 Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Pamplona and Zadar are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Pamplona is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Zadar. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

Is Pamplona or Zadar Better for Students?

Zadar 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.

Zadar is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. The laid back lifestyle and low cost of living make this a great place to be a student. It's a relaxed environment with many nearby places to explore.

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

Both Pamplona and Zadar offer notable public transit options.

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

Zadar has some public transit options. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

Is Pamplona or Zadar a more walkable city?

Pamplona and Zadar both are high quality 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.

Zadar is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.

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

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Zadar?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zadar than Pamplona 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 Zadar.

One day in Pamplona or Zadar?

In Pamplona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this elegant destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful town of Zadar offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Zadar?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Zadar 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. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zadar, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pamplona or Zadar?

Pamplona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Zadar 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 Zadar?

You'll find food and shopping around the elegant destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Zadar is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamplona and Zadar, we can see that Pamplona is more expensive. And not only is Zadar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zadar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zadar 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 Zadar.

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

Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Zadar?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Zadar, 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 Zadar?

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 Zadar in the Summer?

Both Zadar and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

Pamplona is cooler than Zadar in the summer. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Zadar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during summer. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Zadar. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pamplona or Zadar in the Autumn?

Both Zadar and Pamplona during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zadar for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Pamplona is cooler than Zadar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pamplona in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Zadar averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in October than Zadar. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Zadar in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Zadar. Many travelers come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Zadar in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pamplona is generally around the same temperature as Zadar. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 8°C (47°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during winter. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 128 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 Zadar. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pamplona or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Zadar. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Pamplona is cooler than Zadar in the spring. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Zadar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. In the spring, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pamplona usually gets more rain in April than Zadar. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Pamplona