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

Should you visit Ghent 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 Ghent 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.

Ghent

Ghent is a cultural, historic, and under-rated city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Ghent and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or San Sebastian?

Both San Sebastian and Ghent have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Ghent is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian attracts visitors for its food, resorts, and beaches. San Sebastian is more touristy than Ghent and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ghent 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 Ghent can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

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

San Sebastian is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Ghent or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Ghent is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

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 Ghent or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

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

Ghent is not a resort destination.

Is Ghent or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Ghent to see the historical old town. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or San Sebastian?

Both Ghent and San Sebastian are great shopping destinations.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

San Sebastian is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Ghent or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent 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.

Ghent is a family-friendly city. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Ghent or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

Ghent and San Sebastian both great destinations for a couple.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for couples. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

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.

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

San Sebastian is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Ghent or San Sebastian Better for Students?

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

Ghent is a great destination for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

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.

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

Ghent is very popular 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.

Ghent has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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

Is Ghent or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Ghent and San Sebastian both are great when exploring on foot.

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally 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 Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ghent and San Sebastian. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Sebastian than Ghent 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 Ghent or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the youthful destination of Ghent. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

In San Sebastian, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fun-filled destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Ghent or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Sebastian. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or San Sebastian?

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

San Sebastian is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. Lots of people come for the food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or San Sebastian?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Ghent. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the fun-filled destination of San Sebastian. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Ghent and San Sebastian, we can see that Ghent 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 Ghent would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ghent or San Sebastian?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent 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 Ghent or San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ghent 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 the summer, Ghent is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in San Sebastian. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and Ghent during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Ghent gets 105 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. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Ghent gets 78 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 Ghent or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and San Sebastian. The winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, 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 Ghent can be very cold. Ghent is much colder than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Ghent gets 47 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. In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ghent as well as San Sebastian. The natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Ghent usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 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 Ghent