A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Annecy vs. San Sebastian for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Annecy or San Sebastian?

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 Annecy and San Sebastian can help you decide which place is right for you.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and beautiful city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Annecy and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Annecy or San Sebastian?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Annecy than San Sebastian, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Annecy is better known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. Annecy is more touristy than San Sebastian and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Also, Annecy is famous for Palais de l'Isle. San Sebastian is well known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

How is Annecy different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Annecy or San Sebastian?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Annecy and San Sebastian.

Annecy offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

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

Is the Food Better in Annecy or San Sebastian? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at terrific restaurants in both Annecy and San Sebastian.

Annecy has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, San Sebastian is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in San Sebastian has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Annecy is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, San Sebastian makes a nice vacation spot. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.

Annecy is not a resort destination.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a great city for the beache. However, Annecy is not a beach destination.

San Sebastian is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is very popular for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Annecy has a world-famous historical area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Hiking?

Annecy is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Annecy is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Annecy or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

San Sebastian is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Annecy or San Sebastian.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Annecy is very family-friendly. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

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.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

Annecy is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Annecy has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

San Sebastian makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Sebastian is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit San Sebastian. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

San Sebastian is very popular with students. There are good educational programs in town, as well as nice beaches and a good student population. The locals are also welcoming and friendly.

Annecy is not popular with students.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Annecy and San Sebastian both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Annecy offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

San Sebastian has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.

Is Annecy or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Annecy and San Sebastian are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Annecy is a very walkable alpine town. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

San Sebastian is a very walkable destination. 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 Annecy Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Annecy?

How long in Annecy or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Annecy and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Annecy than in San Sebastian. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Annecy, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Sebastian than Annecy 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.

One day in Annecy or San Sebastian?

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Annecy or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Annecy. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

San Sebastian is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Annecy or San Sebastian?

Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This alpine 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Sebastian. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Annecy or San Sebastian?

Annecy is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun-filled destination of San Sebastian. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Annecy and San Sebastian, we can see that Annecy 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 Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy 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 Annecy Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Annecy or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Annecy 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.

When is the best time to visit Annecy or San Sebastian?

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 Annecy or San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and Annecy during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Annecy this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Annecy is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Annecy. In the summer, Annecy often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Annecy gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Annecy gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Annecy and San Sebastian. Many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Annecy is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Annecy in October average around 14°C (56°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Annecy usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Annecy gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Annecy usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Annecy gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Annecy or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Annecy as well as San Sebastian. Many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Annecy is generally much colder than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Annecy average around 4°C (39°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Annecy often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Annecy gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Annecy usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Annecy gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Annecy are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches.

Annecy is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Annecy usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Annecy gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In April, Annecy usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Annecy gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Annecy