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

Should you visit Taormina or Pamplona?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Taormina and Pamplona can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Taormina

Taormina is a exclusive, opulent, and historic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

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.

Taormina and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Pamplona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pamplona. Although Taormina and Pamplona are both popular with visitors, Pamplona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pamplona is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while Taormina is known for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taormina is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Pamplona is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also home to The Running of the Bulls Festival.

How is Taormina different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Taormina or Pamplona?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Pamplona and Taormina.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Taormina. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

Pamplona is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Taormina or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Taormina and Pamplona offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

Taormina has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pamplona makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Taormina or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Taormina and Pamplona.

The nightlife in Taormina has something for everybody. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

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.

Is Taormina or Pamplona Better for Resorts?

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

Taormina is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Pamplona is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Pamplona Better for Beaches?

Taormina is a popular place for the beache. However, Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Taormina is a good option for a beach vacation. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Taormina or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

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

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is Taormina or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a great city for hiking. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Pamplona?

If you're looking to go shopping, Taormina and Pamplona both offer plenty of good spots.

Taormina has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Pamplona is a great destination for shopping. 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 Taormina or Pamplona Better for Families?

Pamplona is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Taormina 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.

Taormina is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

Pamplona is a good town 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 Taormina or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Taormina or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Taormina and Pamplona both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Taormina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

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

Is Taormina or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Taormina and Pamplona are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Taormina is a very walkable destination. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

Pamplona is very walkable. 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 Taormina Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Taormina or Pamplona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Taormina than Pamplona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pamplona.

Families should spend more time in Pamplona than Taormina. 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.

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

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

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Pamplona 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.

A weekend in Taormina or Pamplona?

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

Pamplona 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pamplona, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Pamplona?

Taormina 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.

Pamplona 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 Taormina or Pamplona?

Taormina is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Pamplona 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Pamplona?

Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina or Pamplona?

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 Taormina or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Taormina during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 27°C (80°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Pamplona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Taormina. In the summer, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Pamplona. Many visitors come to Taormina in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

Taormina is a little warmer than Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Taormina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Taormina usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Pamplona. Most visitors come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Taormina is a little warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Taormina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Taormina usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

In April, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 16°C (60°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In April, Taormina usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Taormina