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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or San Sebastian?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews 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.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a charming, quaint, and peaceful university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

San Sebastian

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

Saint Andrews and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or San Sebastian?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Sebastian than Saint Andrews, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Sebastian is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Saint Andrews is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. San Sebastian is more touristy than Saint Andrews 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. Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

How is Saint Andrews different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Saint Andrews offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

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 Saint Andrews or San Sebastian? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Sebastian is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, San Sebastian is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Saint Andrews has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Saint Andrews or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its evening party scene.

San Sebastian offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Saint Andrews. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

Is Saint Andrews or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Saint Andrews 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.

Saint Andrews is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Andrews or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for the beache. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for the beach.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Saint Andrews. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Is Saint Andrews or San Sebastian Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Saint Andrews has hiking trails worth exploring. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or San Sebastian?

Both Saint Andrews and San Sebastian are superb shopping destinations.

Saint Andrews is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

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 Saint Andrews or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town 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.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly university town. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

Is Saint Andrews or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

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

Saint Andrews is a very popular place to visit for couples. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

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 Saint Andrews or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town 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.

Saint Andrews is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really a backpacker's destination, but there are some guesthouses and apartments that are more affordable.

Is Saint Andrews or San Sebastian Better for Students?

Saint Andrews 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.

Saint Andrews is a great destination for students. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

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

Both Saint Andrews and San Sebastian offer notable public transit options.

Saint Andrews has a few public transit options. There are buses through St. Andrews.

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

Is Saint Andrews or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its ease of walking around.

San Sebastian is a very walkable city. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable university town. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or San Sebastian?

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

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

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the splendid destination of San Sebastian. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

A weekend in Saint Andrews or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. 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. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

Five days in Saint Andrews or San Sebastian?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This university town 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 destination of San Sebastian. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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.

A week in Saint Andrews or San Sebastian?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 city of San Sebastian. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in 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 Saint Andrews and San Sebastian, we can see that Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews or San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

Saint Andrews is cooler than San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in San Sebastian. Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and Saint Andrews during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Saint Andrews gets 100 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. Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and San Sebastian. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews. In January, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 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, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as San Sebastian. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches during these months.

Saint Andrews is much colder than San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 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 Saint Andrews