A Travel Price Comparison for Spain San Sebastian vs. Bilbao for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit San Sebastian or Bilbao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Bilbao, 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.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a splendid, outdoorsy, and fun-filled city. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a industrial, authentic, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

San Sebastian and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Bilbao?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bilbao than San Sebastian. Bilbao is bigger than San Sebastian, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bilbao is better known for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities, while San Sebastian is more popular for its food, resorts, and beaches. San Sebastian is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Also, Bilbao is famous for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is San Sebastian different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao 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 Bilbao can be an interesting and educational experience. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

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

San Sebastian is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

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.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is San Sebastian or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are great in both San Sebastian and Bilbao.

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.

Bilbao has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is San Sebastian or Bilbao Better for Resorts?

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

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is well known for the beache. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is San Sebastian or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Bilbao to see the old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Bilbao?

Both San Sebastian and Bilbao are great shopping destinations.

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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is San Sebastian or Bilbao Better for Families?

San Sebastian is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is San Sebastian or Bilbao Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit San Sebastian frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

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

San Sebastian is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is San Sebastian or Bilbao Better for Students?

San Sebastian is well known for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit 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.

It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

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

Bilbao 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 Bilbao can get you to some places easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

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

Is San Sebastian or Bilbao a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Sebastian and Bilbao. In our opinion, San Sebastian has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in San Sebastian than Bilbao. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Sebastian than Bilbao 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 San Sebastian or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the industrial destination of Bilbao. 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 San Sebastian or Bilbao?

San Sebastian is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Sebastian. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the industrial destination of Bilbao. 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 San Sebastian or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of San Sebastian. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Bilbao. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, and The Best Budget Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Sebastian and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 San Sebastian Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian and Bilbao, 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 San Sebastian or Bilbao?

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 San Sebastian or Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Bilbao. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Sebastian usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Bilbao. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Bilbao. Many visitors come to San Sebastian in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, San Sebastian is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Sebastian in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, San Sebastian often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in October than Bilbao. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the museums and the shopping scene.

In January, San Sebastian is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 8°C (47°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

San Sebastian usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. In January, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Bilbao. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and San Sebastian during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

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

In the spring, San Sebastian often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in April than Bilbao. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and San Sebastian