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

Should you visit Manchester or San Sebastian?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and San Sebastian can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and beautiful city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or San Sebastian?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester than San Sebastian. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Manchester is very popular for its museums, music, and big city activities, while San Sebastian attracts visitors for its food, resorts, and beaches. San Sebastian is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Manchester 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 Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

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

San Sebastian has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Manchester or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Manchester and San Sebastian.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

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 Manchester or San Sebastian Better for Music?

Manchester is notable for its live music scene. However, San Sebastian is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

San Sebastian is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a resort destination.

Is Manchester or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for its beaches. However, Manchester is not a beach destination.

San Sebastian is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or San Sebastian?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

San Sebastian is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Manchester or San Sebastian Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or San Sebastian.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

San Sebastian is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Manchester or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and San Sebastian are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Sebastian is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or San Sebastian Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and San Sebastian are excellent places to visit.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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.

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

Manchester is notable 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.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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

Is Manchester or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or San Sebastian?

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

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

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the fun-filled city of San Sebastian, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or San Sebastian?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of San Sebastian, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the dynamic big city of Manchester. 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or San Sebastian?

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

San Sebastian is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or San Sebastian?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and San Sebastian. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the autumn for the shopping scene.

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

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Manchester gets 97 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, Manchester usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as San Sebastian. Many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. Manchester is much colder than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Manchester usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches.

In the spring, Manchester is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Manchester usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian during spring. Manchester gets 144 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, Manchester usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 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 Manchester