A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Puerto de la Cruz vs. Pamplona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto de la Cruz or Pamplona?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Puerto de la Cruz and Pamplona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Puerto de la Cruz or Pamplona?

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

Pamplona

Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto de la Cruz or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Puerto de la Cruz and Pamplona, 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 Puerto de la Cruz or Pamplona?

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 Puerto de la Cruz or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Puerto de la Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Puerto de la Cruz is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 24°C (75°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamplona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto de la Cruz. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during summer. Puerto de la Cruz gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Puerto de la Cruz gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Puerto de la Cruz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pamplona in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Puerto de la Cruz is a little warmer than Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto de la Cruz averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. In the autumn, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Puerto de la Cruz gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Puerto de la Cruz gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto de la Cruz and Pamplona. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Puerto de la Cruz is much warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Puerto de la Cruz gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Puerto de la Cruz gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Puerto de la Cruz as well as Pamplona. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the activities around the city.

In April, Puerto de la Cruz is generally much warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 20°C (68°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. In the spring, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Puerto de la Cruz gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Puerto de la Cruz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Puerto de la Cruz