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

Should you visit Volos or Pamplona?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Volos and Pamplona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a vibrant, youthful, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

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. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Volos and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volos or Pamplona?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pamplona than Volos. While Volos is larger than Pamplona, Pamplona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pamplona is better known for its museums, historical sights, and hiking, while Volos is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Pamplona is more touristy than Volos and is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. Also, Pamplona is famous for The Running of the Bulls Festival. Volos is well known for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty.

How is Volos different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pamplona is very good for its museums and history. However, Volos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Volos offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

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

Foodies will find both Volos and Pamplona both to be great destinations.

Volos has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Dining out in Pamplona is an experience not to be missed. 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 Volos or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Volos and Pamplona.

Volos has a large number of nightlife venues. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

Pamplona is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Volos or Pamplona Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Volos has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Volos or Pamplona Better for Beaches?

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

Volos is considered a top beach destination. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Volos or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Pamplona is very good for its old town. However, Volos does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Pamplona. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Volos does not have a historic old town.

Is Volos or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Volos is not a hiking destination.

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.

Volos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Pamplona?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Volos and Pamplona.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Volos. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Many visitors go to Pamplona to go 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 Volos or Pamplona Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Volos or Pamplona.

Volos is a family-friendly city. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pamplona. 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 Volos or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Both Volos and Pamplona are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Volos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

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 Volos or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many 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.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Pamplona Better for Students?

Both Volos and Pamplona are notable destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Volos. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

Pamplona is popular with students. This is a quiet city, which appeals to some students. The laid back atmosphere makes it a nice place to relax and learn.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Volos and Pamplona.

Volos has some public transit options. There is a bus system that travels around town.

You'll find some public transit in Pamplona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Volos or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Volos and Pamplona are great when it comes to walkability.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore on foot.

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 Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Volos?

How long in Volos or Pamplona?

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

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

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

The city of Volos offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Pamplona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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.

A weekend in Volos or Pamplona?

Volos 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Volos, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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.

Five days in Volos or Pamplona?

Volos 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 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.

A week in Volos or Pamplona?

Volos is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Volos or Pamplona?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Volos 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 Volos 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 Volos or Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Volos as well as Pamplona. Most visitors come to Volos for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Volos is a little warmer than Pamplona in the summer. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volos this time of the year. In the summer, Volos often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Pamplona in the Autumn?

Both Pamplona and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Volos because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

In the autumn, Volos is around the same temperature as Pamplona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Volos in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Pamplona averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Volos usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In October, Volos usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volos or Pamplona in the Winter?

Both Pamplona and Volos during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Volos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Volos is generally much colder than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 6°C (42°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Volos often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Volos usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Pamplona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Pamplona. Many travelers come to Volos for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city.

Volos is a little warmer than Pamplona in the spring. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Volos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Volos usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Volos usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Volos