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

Should you visit Chania or San Sebastian?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or San Sebastian, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a historic, idyllic, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

San Sebastian

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

Chania and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or San Sebastian?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Chania than San Sebastian. While San Sebastian is larger than Chania, Chania has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Chania is more popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while San Sebastian is known for its nightlife, resorts, and shopping. Chania is popular for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also home to The Venetian Harbor. San Sebastian is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

How is Chania different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chania 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 Chania can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

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

Foodies will find both Chania and San Sebastian both to be amazing destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

Many restaurants in San Sebastian have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Chania or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Chania 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 Chania has a few options to choose from. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

Is Chania or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Chania 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.

Chania is not a resort destination.

Is Chania or San Sebastian Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, San Sebastian is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Chania has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

San Sebastian is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

Chania is very popular for the beache. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Chania are among the best in the world. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

The beaches at San Sebastian attract visitors from all over. 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.

Is Chania or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Chania to see the historical old town. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is Chania or San Sebastian Better for Hiking?

Chania is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Chania is a popular spot for hiking. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chania 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 Chania. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Is Chania or San Sebastian Better for Families?

Chania and San Sebastian are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Chania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

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.

Is Chania or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

Chania and San Sebastian are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Chania frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

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 Chania or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania and San Sebastian are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chania is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay 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.

Is Chania or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is well known for students. However, Chania is not popular with students.

San Sebastian is a great city to visit as a student. There are good educational programs in town, as well as nice beaches and a good student population. The locals are also welcoming and friendly.

Chania is not popular with students.

Is Chania 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 Chania and San Sebastian.

You'll find some public transit in Chania, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

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 Chania or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Chania and San Sebastian both are superb when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Chania?

How long in Chania or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chania and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chania than in San Sebastian. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

Families should spend more time in Chania than San Sebastian. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chania, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chania than San Sebastian. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chania that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chania than San Sebastian 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 Chania.

One day in Chania or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the picturesque destination of Chania. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

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 Chania or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chania. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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 Chania or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the picturesque destination of Chania. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Chania or San Sebastian?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Chania. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Chania and San Sebastian, we can see that Chania is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chania Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chania or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania 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 Chania or San Sebastian in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and San Sebastian. The summer months attract visitors to Chania because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

In July, Chania is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 26°C (80°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 Chania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chania usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chania usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chania or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chania as well as San Sebastian. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Chania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene.

Chania is a little warmer than San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Chania often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Chania usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or San Sebastian in the Winter?

Both San Sebastian and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Chania is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chania in January average around 12°C (54°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Chania usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Chania gets 118 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 Chania. In January, Chania usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chania or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Chania during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches during these months.

In April, Chania is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 17°C (62°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Chania. In the spring, Chania often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Chania gets 237 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. Chania usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 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 Chania