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

Should you visit Bruges or San Sebastian?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bruges and San Sebastian. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian

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

Bruges and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or San Sebastian?

Both San Sebastian and Bruges have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Bruges is more popular for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while San Sebastian is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. Bruges is more touristy than San Sebastian and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. San Sebastian is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

How is Bruges different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges 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 Bruges can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

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

San Sebastian is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through San Sebastian, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

Is Bruges or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is great for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Is Bruges or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a resort destination.

Is Bruges or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

Many people visit San Sebastian for it's beautiful 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.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

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

Bruges has a world-famous historical area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian is great for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Bruges is a great destination for shopping. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Bruges or San Sebastian Better for Families?

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

Bruges is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Bruges or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

Bruges and San Sebastian both great destinations for a couple.

Bruges is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

San Sebastian is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Bruges or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bruges and San Sebastian are great places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

Backpackers come from all over to 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 Bruges or San Sebastian Better for Students?

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

Many students visit 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.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

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

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

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

Is Bruges or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Bruges is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Bruges on foot. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored 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 Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or San Sebastian?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bruges. 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.

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 Bruges or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. 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 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 Bruges or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Bruges. 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.

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 Bruges or San Sebastian?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Bruges. 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, 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 Bruges and San Sebastian, we can see that Bruges 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges 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 Bruges Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges 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 Bruges 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 Bruges or San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and Bruges during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bruges is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°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 Bruges. In the summer, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and San Sebastian. Most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the shopping scene.

Bruges is cooler than San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Bruges gets 105 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, Bruges usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Bruges 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 Bruges or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bruges as well as San Sebastian. The winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. In the winter, Bruges is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Bruges usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches.

In April, Bruges is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 8°C (47°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Bruges gets 158 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, Bruges usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 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 Bruges