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

Should you visit Bern or San Sebastian?

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

Should I visit Bern or San Sebastian? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bern

Bern is a historic, charming, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a fun-filled, beautiful, and splendid city. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bern and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or San Sebastian?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Sebastian than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Sebastian is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Sebastian is more touristy than Bern and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. It is also well known for La Concha Bay. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bern is notable for its sights and museums. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bern can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

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 Bern or San Sebastian? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Sebastian is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, San Sebastian is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

San Sebastian offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a popular place for its resorts. However, Bern is not a resort destination.

San Sebastian has a handful of resorts to choose from. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.

Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Bern or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

San Sebastian is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

Bern is notable for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bern to see the historical old town. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or San Sebastian?

Both Bern and San Sebastian are very good shopping destinations.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

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.

Is Bern or San Sebastian Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or San Sebastian.

Bern is a very family-friendly place to visit. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, San Sebastian is very family-friendly. 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 Bern or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and San Sebastian make for a very good place to visit.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

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 Bern or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and San Sebastian are very good destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

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.

Is Bern or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is notable for its public transit. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Bern can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

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

Is Bern or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Bern and San Sebastian both are very good when exploring on foot.

Bern is very walkable. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

San Sebastian is a very walkable city. 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 Bern Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Bern?

How long in Bern or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bern and San Sebastian. In our opinion, San Sebastian has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Sebastian than Bern. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bern or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Bern. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of San Sebastian. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or San Sebastian?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Bern. 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.

The beautiful city of San Sebastian offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, 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 Bern and San Sebastian, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bern or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern or San Sebastian?

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.

Should I visit Bern or San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in San Sebastian. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and San Sebastian. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bern can be very cold during winter. Bern is much colder than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bern usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as San Sebastian. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

In the spring, Bern is around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Bern usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Bern