Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Aix-en-Provence?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aix-en-Provence or San Sebastian, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Aix-en-Provence is a historic, vibrant, and laid-back 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 food.
San Sebastian is a splendid, outdoorsy, and fun-filled city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.
Travelers will usually find more to do in San Sebastian than Aix-en-Provence, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Sebastian is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Aix-en-Provence is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. San Sebastian is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. It is also home to La Concha Bay. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Sebastian and Aix-en-Provence. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Aix-en-Provence or San Sebastian.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Aix-en-Provence. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.
San Sebastian is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Head to Castillo de la Mota for nice views and walks. Museo San Telmo offers an overview of Basque culture and Palacio de Miramar is another interesting place to visit.
Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Aix-en-Provence is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.
Many restaurants in San Sebastian have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It is a famed culinary capital of not just Spain, but the entire world. The city has many Michelin-starred restaurants where you can experience modern or traditional recipes prepared by world class chefs. There are also pintxo bars, food markets, and gourmet food shops, that sell local ingredients and dishes. Much of the cuisine includes seafood, but you'll also find a local twist on traditional tapas. Dining is a true experience in this town.
San Sebastian is well known for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.
San Sebastian is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You can expect a lively nightlife scene around town with many bars and places to hang out. Some of the best nightlife is found in and around Parte Vieja, Centro, Reyes Católicos and Gros.
Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.
San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.
San Sebastian has a few great resort options. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.
Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.
San Sebastian is well known for the beach. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.
You'll have a great beach vacation in San Sebastian. The city has three urban beaches that are a huge attraction during the summer months. For surfing and a lively atmosphere, head to the Playa de la Zurriola. The playa de la Concha is the most photographed and famous beach in town and Ondarreta is another beautiful option.
Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.
Aix-en-Provence is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Aix-en-Provence make it a world-class shopping destination. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in San Sebastian. A mix of familiar brands and locally made items make shopping a fun activity. You'll also find many artisan food shops around town where you can take home some local wine or other culinary treats.
San Sebastian is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.
San Sebastian is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This city is surprisingly family-friendly. Not only is there the beach, but there are playgrounds everywhere. There's also the fun Monte Igueldo San Sebastian Amusement Park and the San Sebastian Aquarium. You could also take a boat ride or explore the many parks and gardens around town. And, of course, there are the many ice cream shops to check out.
For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.
Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian are both superb to visit as a couple.
Couples visit Aix-en-Provence frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.
San Sebastian is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. With its nice beaches, stunning view points, and world class restaurants, this city makes an excellent couple's destination. There are Michelin star restaurants to dine in and many parks and gardens where you can take a stroll as well.
San Sebastian is well known for backpackers. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
San Sebastian is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town, and you'll find enough other backpackers looking to meet up so you'll never be lonely.
Aix-en-Provence is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.
Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian are superb places to visit for students.
Aix-en-Provence is a great town to visit as a student. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.
Students come from all over to stay in San Sebastian. There are good educational programs in town, as well as nice beaches and a good student population. The locals are also welcoming and friendly.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian.
You'll find some public transit in Aix-en-Provence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.
While San Sebastian offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.
Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian both are superb when exploring on foot.
Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.
San Sebastian is very walkable. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.
For even more information, also check out Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than in San Sebastian. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Aix-en-Provence, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.
Families should spend more time in San Sebastian than Aix-en-Provence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Sebastian, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in San Sebastian than Aix-en-Provence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Sebastian that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Sebastian than Aix-en-Provence 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 San Sebastian.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the laid-back destination of Aix-en-Provence. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
The beautiful destination of San Sebastian offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aix-en-Provence. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
The city of San Sebastian offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Aix-en-Provence. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.
San Sebastian is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
You'll find museums and food around the beautiful town of Aix-en-Provence. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Sebastian. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Aix-en-Provence is €138, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is €87. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Aix-en-Provence or San Sebastian? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aix-en-Provence:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Aix-en-Provence change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Aix-en-Provence:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aix-en-Provence.
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
Here are a few actual costs in Aix-en-Provence for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Aix-en-Provence:
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. And not only is San Sebastian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Sebastian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Sebastian 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 Aix-en-Provence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aix-en-Provence than you might in San Sebastian.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.
San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Aix-en-Provence. When comparing the sizes of Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aix-en-Provence and San Sebastian. The summer months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.
In July, Aix-en-Provence is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Aix-en-Provence average around 24°C (75°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Sebastian this time of the year. In Aix-en-Provence, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aix-en-Provence usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Aix-en-Provence gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Aix-en-Provence gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Aix-en-Provence as well as San Sebastian. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene.
Aix-en-Provence is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aix-en-Provence averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. In the autumn, Aix-en-Provence often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Aix-en-Provence gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Aix-en-Provence usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Aix-en-Provence gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both San Sebastian and Aix-en-Provence are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Aix-en-Provence is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aix-en-Provence in January average around 7°C (44°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Aix-en-Provence usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Aix-en-Provence gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In January, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Aix-en-Provence gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both San Sebastian and Aix-en-Provence during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches during these months.
In April, Aix-en-Provence is generally around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Aix-en-Provence average around 13°C (56°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. In the spring, Aix-en-Provence often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Aix-en-Provence gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.
San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aix-en-Provence usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Aix-en-Provence gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Aix-en-Provence | San Sebastian | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
May | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
Nov | 11°C (51°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) |