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

Should you visit Lyon or San Sebastian?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon 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.

Lyon

Lyon is a authentic, historic, and beautiful city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a fun-filled, beautiful, and splendid city. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lyon and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or San Sebastian?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than San Sebastian. Lyon is bigger than San Sebastian, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lyon is better known for its museums, historical sights, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while San Sebastian is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Lyon is well known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. San Sebastian is well known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

How is Lyon different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is very popular 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.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and San Sebastian can be difficult as they are each amazing in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

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 Lyon or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

Both Lyon and San Sebastian are superb when it comes to partying.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

San Sebastian has a large number of nightlife venues. 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 Lyon or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Lyon is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, San Sebastian makes a nice vacation spot. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.

Lyon is not a resort destination.

Is Lyon or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in San Sebastian. 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.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Lyon or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is very popular for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Lyon has a world-famous historical area. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or San Sebastian?

Both Lyon and San Sebastian are superb shopping destinations.

Lyon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Is Lyon or San Sebastian Better for Families?

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

Lyon is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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.

Is Lyon or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

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

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

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 Lyon or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lyon and San Sebastian are superb destinations for backpackers.

Lyon is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and 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.

Is Lyon or San Sebastian Better for Students?

Lyon 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.

Lyon is a great destination for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

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

Lyon 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.

Lyon has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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

Is Lyon or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

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

Lyon is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lyon and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than in San Sebastian. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon 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 Lyon.

One day in Lyon or San Sebastian?

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Lyon or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. 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.

San Sebastian is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Lyon or San Sebastian?

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of San Sebastian. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or San Sebastian?

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

The fun-filled city of San Sebastian offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, 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 Lyon and San Sebastian, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lyon or San Sebastian?

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

Both San Sebastian and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of 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.

Lyon is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in San Sebastian. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. Lyon usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and Lyon during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Lyon is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Lyon gets 127 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. Lyon usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Lyon 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 Lyon or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and San Sebastian. Many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. In January, Lyon is generally much colder than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Lyon gets 62 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, Lyon usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lyon as well as San Sebastian. Many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches during these months.

Lyon is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Lyon often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Lyon usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 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 Lyon