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

Should you visit Caen 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 Caen 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.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a beautiful, splendid, and outdoorsy city. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Caen and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or San Sebastian?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Sebastian than Caen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Sebastian is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Caen attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. San Sebastian is more touristy than Caen and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. It is also well known for La Concha Bay. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Caen different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Caen 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 Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

San Sebastian is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Caen or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

San Sebastian has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Caen or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

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

Caen is not a resort destination.

Is Caen or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Sebastian is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Caen or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

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

San Sebastian is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

San Sebastian is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Caen or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen 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 Caen can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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

Is Caen or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

San Sebastian is very walkable. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Caen?

How long in Caen or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Caen and San Sebastian. In our opinion, San Sebastian has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Sebastian than Caen. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historic destination of Caen. 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.

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 Caen or San Sebastian?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic destination of Caen. 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 splendid 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 Caen or San Sebastian?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Caen. 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 splendid 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-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 Caen and San Sebastian, we can see that Caen 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 Caen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Caen 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 Caen Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Caen or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Caen 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 Caen 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 Caen or San Sebastian in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Caen as well as San Sebastian. Many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Caen is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In the summer, Caen often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the shopping scene.

In October, Caen is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In October, Caen usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Caen or San Sebastian in the Winter?

Both San Sebastian and Caen during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. Caen is much colder than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Caen often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Caen usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and San Sebastian. The activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches.

In the spring, Caen is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Caen usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Caen usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Caen gets 46 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 Caen