A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Santiago de Compostela vs. Pamplona for Attractions, Old Town, Hiking, and Food

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona? 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.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a historic, religious, and inspirational city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

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.

Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Pamplona. While Pamplona is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Pamplona is more popular for its big city activities. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Pamplona and is known for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. Also, Santiago de Compostela is famous for the Cathedral of Santiago. Pamplona is well known for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pamplona and Santiago de Compostela. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Santiago de Compostela are among the most recognizable in the world. The iconic Cathedral of Santiago has long attracted pilgrims and travelers from around Europe and the world. The spectacular sight includes a museum and the crypt and tomb of Saint James. Another interesting sight in town is the former hostel for pilgrims, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Also make sure you visit Plaza del Obradoiro and the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pamplona. 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.

Is the Food Better in Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Santiago de Compostela. Galician food has plenty of fresh seafood, lots of local beef, and regional vegetables that are seasonal and locally grown. Make sure you try the polbo á feira (boiled octopus), pimientos de padrón (fried green peppers), and steamed mussels.

Pamplona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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).

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a university city, much of the nightlife is created by the student population. You'll find a lot of bars around Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo as well as along Rúa do Franco.

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.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is terrific for its old town. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Santiago de Compostela has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town reflects the city's importance in the Christian religion. There are Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings that draw Christian pilgrims from around the world.

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

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. This small city is the culmination point for the famed Camino de Santiago. The 780 kilometer route is followed by pilgrims and travelers who seek enlightenment or adventure. Hikers travel both independently or as part of organized tours.

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 Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

Santiago de Compostela is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are local markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques where you can buy items to commemorate the completion of your hike or your visit to town.

Pamplona has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find some good markets around town. It's also fun to shop for local handicrafts or souvenirs to remember your trip by.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Santiago de Compostela. The city has a sightseeing train as well as parks and playgrounds that kids can enjoy. A visit to the Museum of the Galician People is also fascinating for the whole family. Visiting the colorful markets around town is fun as well.

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.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona make for a notable place to visit.

Santiago de Compostela makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The cobblestone streets and beautiful gardens make this a nice place for a couple's getaway. There are viewpoints that look out over the town as well as interesting buildings and great architecture.

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 Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santiago de Compostela is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers hiking the Camino del Santiago will be rewarded with a beautiful city and many nice sights. There are plenty of hostels around town where backpackers can meet other travelers and swap stories.

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.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona are notable places to visit for students.

Santiago de Compostela is popular with students. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.

It's common for students to 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 Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona.

You'll find some public transit in Santiago de Compostela, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

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

Is Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable city. Many visitors reach the city on foot by doing the pilgrimage of the Camino del Santiago. The city itself and small and fairly walkable as well.

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.

For even more information, also check out Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Santiago de Compostela?

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela.

One day in Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. 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.

The city of Pamplona offers museums and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

Santiago de Compostela 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 visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santiago de Compostela, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

The historic destination of Pamplona offers nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

Santiago de Compostela 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. 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.

Pamplona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona. The summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamplona this time of the year. In Santiago de Compostela, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santiago de Compostela usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Pamplona. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Pamplona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Pamplona averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona in the Winter?

Both Pamplona and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Santiago de Compostela during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.

Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Santiago de Compostela