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

Should you visit Calais or San Sebastian?

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

Should I visit Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a splendid, outdoorsy, and fun-filled city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Calais and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or San Sebastian?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than San Sebastian. While San Sebastian is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is more popular for its big city activities, while San Sebastian is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. San Sebastian is more touristy than Calais and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Calais different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Calais or San Sebastian.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

San Sebastian is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

San Sebastian is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Calais or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

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

Calais is not a resort destination.

Is Calais or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is well known for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

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.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Calais or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

San Sebastian is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Calais or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit San Sebastian frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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

San Sebastian is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

San Sebastian is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Calais or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is well known for students. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and San Sebastian.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

While San Sebastian offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.

Is Calais or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Calais?

How long in Calais or San Sebastian?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Calais. 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 Calais or San Sebastian?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic destination of Calais. 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 Calais or San Sebastian?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Calais. 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 outdoorsy 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 Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Calais and San Sebastian, we can see that Calais 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais 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 Calais Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Calais or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais 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 Calais or San Sebastian in the Summer?

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

In July, Calais is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°F), 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 Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. Calais usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Calais as well as San Sebastian. Many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene during these months.

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

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Calais usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or San Sebastian in the Winter?

Both San Sebastian and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Calais 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.

Calais can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Calais is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Calais gets 57 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. In January, Calais usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or San Sebastian in the Spring?

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

In April, Calais is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Calais gets 162 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. Calais usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 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 Calais