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

Should you visit Galway or San Sebastian?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Galway and San Sebastian can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical 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 shopping.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a fun-filled, beautiful, and splendid city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Galway and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or San Sebastian?

Both San Sebastian and Galway have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Galway is very popular for its big city activities, while San Sebastian attracts visitors for its food, resorts, beaches, and shopping. San Sebastian is more touristy than Galway and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Galway and San Sebastian have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

San Sebastian offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Galway or San Sebastian? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Sebastian is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are high quality in both Galway and San Sebastian.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

San Sebastian has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is Galway or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a city with good options for its resorts. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a resort destination.

Is Galway or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is notable for its beaches. However, Galway is not a beach destination.

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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

San Sebastian is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Galway or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

San Sebastian is 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.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Galway or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

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

Both Galway and San Sebastian are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Many backpackers 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 Galway or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is notable for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Both Galway and San Sebastian offer nice public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

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

Is Galway or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Galway and San Sebastian both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

San Sebastian is a very walkable city. 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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Galway?

How long in Galway or San Sebastian?

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

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

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

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical destination of Galway. 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 Galway or San Sebastian?

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or San Sebastian?

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

Both San Sebastian and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in San Sebastian. Galway usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and Galway during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

In October, Galway is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and San Sebastian. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Galway is much colder than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the winter. Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Galway usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galway as well as San Sebastian. Many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Galway usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 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 Galway