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

Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port 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 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.

Rotterdam and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or San Sebastian?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than San Sebastian, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its big city activities, while San Sebastian is known for its food, resorts, and beaches. San Sebastian is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also home to The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both San Sebastian and Rotterdam.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

San Sebastian is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Rotterdam or San Sebastian? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Sebastian is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Rotterdam or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

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

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Rotterdam or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

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

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or San Sebastian?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam or San Sebastian Better for Families?

Both Rotterdam and San Sebastian are great family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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.

Is Rotterdam or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

San Sebastian is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Rotterdam or San Sebastian Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and San Sebastian are great places to visit.

Many students visit Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

San Sebastian is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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 Rotterdam or San Sebastian Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam can get you to some places easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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

Is Rotterdam or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and San Sebastian are great when it comes to walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or San Sebastian?

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of San Sebastian. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or San Sebastian?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of San Sebastian. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the modern big city of Rotterdam. This port 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy city of San Sebastian. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or San Sebastian?

You'll find food and shopping around the port city of Rotterdam. 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 choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, 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 Rotterdam and San Sebastian, we can see that Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or San Sebastian?

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

Both San Sebastian and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam 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, Rotterdam is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°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 Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

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

Rotterdam is cooler than San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 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, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Rotterdam gets 72 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 Rotterdam or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as San Sebastian. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or San Sebastian in the Spring?

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

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Rotterdam usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 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, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Rotterdam gets 52 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 Rotterdam