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

Should you visit Rouen or San Sebastian?

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

Should I visit Rouen or San Sebastian? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Rouen

Rouen is a impressive, relaxing, and historical city. 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 fun-filled, beautiful, and splendid city. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Rouen and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or San Sebastian?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Sebastian than Rouen. San Sebastian is bigger than Rouen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Sebastian is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Rouen is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. San Sebastian is more touristy than Rouen and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Also, San Sebastian is famous for La Concha Bay. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Rouen different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Rouen and San Sebastian.

Rouen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

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

For foodies, San Sebastian is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Rouen or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Rouen or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a popular place for its resorts. However, Rouen 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.

Rouen is not a resort destination.

Is Rouen or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is notable for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

San Sebastian is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Rouen or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Rouen to see the old town. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Rouen or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Rouen is a family-friendly city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Rouen or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and San Sebastian make for a very good place to visit.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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 Rouen or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Sebastian is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

San Sebastian is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

San Sebastian is a very popular 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen can get you to some places easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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

Is Rouen or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Rouen and San Sebastian both are very good when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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 Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rouen and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Sebastian than in Rouen. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the impressive destination of Rouen. 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 outdoorsy 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 Rouen or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. 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 Rouen or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Rouen. 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 Rouen or San Sebastian?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Rouen. 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 beautiful 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, 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 Rouen and San Sebastian, we can see that Rouen 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 Rouen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rouen 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 Rouen Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Rouen is cooler than San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 17°C (63°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 Rouen. Rouen usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Rouen is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rouen in October average around 12°C (53°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Rouen 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. Rouen usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and San Sebastian. Most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. In January, Rouen is generally much colder than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 4°C (39°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Rouen 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, Rouen usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Rouen 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 Rouen or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as San Sebastian. The spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

Rouen is cooler than San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Rouen often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Rouen usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 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 Rouen