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

Should you visit Bordeaux or San Sebastian?

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

Should I visit Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a elegant, charming, and romantic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. 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 splendid, outdoorsy, and fun-filled city. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bordeaux and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bordeaux or San Sebastian?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bordeaux than San Sebastian. Bordeaux is bigger than San Sebastian, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bordeaux is better known for its historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Bordeaux is more touristy than San Sebastian and is known for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. Also, Bordeaux is famous for Cathédrale Saint-André. San Sebastian is well known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

How is Bordeaux different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Bordeaux and San Sebastian.

Bordeaux offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

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

Foodies will find both Bordeaux and San Sebastian both to be fantastic destinations.

For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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.

Is Bordeaux or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in San Sebastian know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Bordeaux or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a popular place for its resorts. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a resort destination.

Is Bordeaux or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a great destination for the beache. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Is Bordeaux or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

Bordeaux is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Bordeaux to see the old town. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bordeaux or San Sebastian?

Shopping is a popular activity in both San Sebastian and Bordeaux.

Bordeaux is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

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.

Is Bordeaux or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

San Sebastian is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Bordeaux or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

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.

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

San Sebastian is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

San Sebastian is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Bordeaux or San Sebastian Better for Students?

Bordeaux and San Sebastian are very good places to visit for students.

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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.

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

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux can get you to some places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

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

Is Bordeaux or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

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

Bordeaux is a very walkable city. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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 Bordeaux Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Bordeaux?

How long in Bordeaux or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bordeaux and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than in San Sebastian. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Bordeaux, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic destination of Bordeaux. 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.

The city of San Sebastian offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Bordeaux or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. 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 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 San Sebastian, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Bordeaux or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the romantic destination of Bordeaux. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

San Sebastian is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

A week in Bordeaux or San Sebastian?

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

San Sebastian is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, 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 Bordeaux and San Sebastian, we can see that Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or San Sebastian?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or San Sebastian in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and San Sebastian. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Bordeaux is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, 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 Bordeaux, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bordeaux usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bordeaux or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as San Sebastian. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Bordeaux is around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bordeaux in October average around 14°C (58°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Bordeaux often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Bordeaux usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or San Sebastian in the Winter?

Both San Sebastian and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Bordeaux is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 6°C (43°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bordeaux usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian during winter. Bordeaux gets 86 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. It's quite rainy in Bordeaux. In January, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bordeaux or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Bordeaux during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

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

In the spring, Bordeaux often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Bordeaux gets 190 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. Bordeaux usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 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 Bordeaux