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

Should you visit Auxerre 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 Auxerre and San Sebastian can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and beautiful city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Auxerre and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auxerre or San Sebastian?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Sebastian. Although Auxerre and San Sebastian are both popular with visitors, San Sebastian has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Sebastian is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Auxerre is known for its small town charm. San Sebastian is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. It is also home to La Concha Bay. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Auxerre different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both San Sebastian and Auxerre.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Auxerre. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

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.

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

San Sebastian is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

San Sebastian has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Auxerre or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to San Sebastian for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Auxerre or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not a resort destination.

Is Auxerre or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for the beach. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Auxerre or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Auxerre or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in San Sebastian. 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.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Auxerre or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

San Sebastian is a great city 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.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

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

San Sebastian is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Auxerre or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

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

Auxerre and San Sebastian both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Auxerre offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town.

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

Is Auxerre or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Auxerre Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Auxerre?

How long in Auxerre or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Auxerre and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Sebastian than in Auxerre. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Auxerre, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

Families should spend more time in San Sebastian than Auxerre. 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 Auxerre. 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 Auxerre 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 Auxerre or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Auxerre. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In San Sebastian, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Auxerre or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. 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.

In San Sebastian, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Sebastian has to offer.

Five days in Auxerre or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Auxerre. 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Auxerre or San Sebastian?

You'll find museums and food around the town of Auxerre. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Sebastian. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Sebastian. One reason most visitors come is for the food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 France, The Best 2-Week 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 Auxerre and San Sebastian, we can see that Auxerre 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 Auxerre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auxerre 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 Auxerre Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Auxerre or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Auxerre 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 Auxerre 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 Auxerre or San Sebastian in the Summer?

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

In July, Auxerre is generally around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Auxerre average around 19°C (66°F), 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 Auxerre. In the summer, Auxerre often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Auxerre gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Auxerre usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Auxerre gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auxerre or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Auxerre and San Sebastian. Many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Auxerre is cooler than San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Auxerre averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Auxerre usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Auxerre gets 126 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, Auxerre usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Auxerre gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Auxerre or San Sebastian in the Winter?

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

Auxerre can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Auxerre is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Auxerre in January average around 3°C (37°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Auxerre often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Auxerre gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Auxerre usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Auxerre gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auxerre or San Sebastian in the Spring?

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

In April, Auxerre is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Auxerre average around 10°C (50°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Auxerre usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Auxerre gets 167 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, Auxerre usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Auxerre gets 50 mm (2 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 Auxerre