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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Como?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Como, 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 beautiful, splendid, and outdoorsy city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food.

San Sebastian and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Como?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Como than San Sebastian. While San Sebastian is larger than Como, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is more popular for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian is known for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Como is more touristy than San Sebastian and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also home to the lakeside setting. San Sebastian is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

How is San Sebastian different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Como 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 Como?

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Is the Food Better in San Sebastian or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both San Sebastian and Como offer amazing local cuisine and 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.

Many restaurants in Como have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

Is San Sebastian or Como Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

San Sebastian has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is San Sebastian or Como Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Como 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.

Como is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Como Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

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 Como. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Is San Sebastian or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Como is a popular spot for hiking. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Como?

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

The abundance of shops in Como make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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 San Sebastian or Como Better for Families?

San Sebastian and Como are both superb destinations for the whole family.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Como. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is San Sebastian or Como Better for Couples?

Como is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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 San Sebastian or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both San Sebastian and Como are superb destinations for backpackers.

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 and backpackers visit Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

Is San Sebastian or Como Better for Students?

San Sebastian is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

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.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Both San Sebastian and Como offer good public transit options.

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

Como has some public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is San Sebastian or Como a more walkable city?

San Sebastian and Como both are superb when exploring on foot.

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.

Como is a very walkable destination. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either San Sebastian or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Sebastian, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

Families should spend more time in San Sebastian than Como. 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 Como than San Sebastian. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Como 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 Como 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 Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the scenic destination of Como. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Como?

San Sebastian is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of San Sebastian. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Como. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This lake area 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 Como?

The splendid city of San Sebastian offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful lake area of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Como?

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

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 San Sebastian or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and San Sebastian during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In the summer, San Sebastian is cooler than Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Sebastian in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Como, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Sebastian. In the summer, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Como. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian usually gets more rain in July than Como. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Como. The shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, San Sebastian is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 16°C (60°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

San Sebastian usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during autumn. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Como receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Como. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Como. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. San Sebastian is much warmer than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Como. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the winter. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in January than Como. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, San Sebastian is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Sebastian in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Como during spring. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. In April, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Como. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and San Sebastian