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

Should you visit Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a cultural, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and beautiful city. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Lucerne and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or San Sebastian?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than San Sebastian. While San Sebastian is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is more popular for its museums, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian is known for its food, resorts, and beaches. Lucerne is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also home to The Chapel Bridge. San Sebastian is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lucerne 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 Lucerne can be an interesting and educational experience. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

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

San Sebastian is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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.

Lucerne offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Is Lucerne or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Lucerne and San Sebastian.

Many people head to Lucerne for the nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

San Sebastian has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Lucerne or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

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

Lucerne is not a resort destination.

Is Lucerne or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for the beach. However, Lucerne 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.

Lucerne is not a beach destination.

Is Lucerne or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Lucerne to see the historical old town. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or San Sebastian?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lucerne and San Sebastian both offer plenty of great spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lucerne. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

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.

Is Lucerne or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in San Sebastian. 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.

Lucerne is a family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Is Lucerne or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

Lucerne and San Sebastian both great destinations for a couple.

Lucerne is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

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.

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

San Sebastian is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

Is Lucerne or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for 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.

Lucerne is a decent spot for students. Most people don't think of the city as a student town but there are some good opportunities for international students. The prices are high, but the city is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that is fun to explore.

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

Lucerne and San Sebastian both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Lucerne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

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

Is Lucerne or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Lucerne is somewhat walkable. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or San Sebastian?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Lucerne. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Lucerne or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucerne. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

In San Sebastian, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Sebastian has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Lucerne. 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 great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Lucerne or San Sebastian?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Sebastian. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Sebastian. One reason most visitors come is for the food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, 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 Lucerne and San Sebastian, we can see that Lucerne 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne 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 Lucerne Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or San Sebastian?

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

Both San Sebastian and Lucerne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lucerne 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 July, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lucerne. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than San Sebastian. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and San Sebastian. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the shopping scene.

Lucerne is cooler than San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lucerne usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as San Sebastian. The winter months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

The weather in Lucerne can be very cold. In the winter, Lucerne is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Lucerne usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches.

In April, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In April, Lucerne usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 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 Lucerne