A Travel Price Comparison for Spain San Sebastian vs. Girona for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit San Sebastian or Girona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Girona, 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 fun-filled, beautiful, and splendid city. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping. See San Sebastian travel costs.

Girona

Girona is a colorful, medieval, and ancient city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. The beauty of Girona is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Girona travel costs.

San Sebastian and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Girona?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Sebastian than Girona. San Sebastian is bigger than Girona, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Sebastian is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Girona is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. San Sebastian is more touristy than Girona 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. Girona is well known for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is San Sebastian different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Girona 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 Girona can be an interesting and educational experience. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

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 Girona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Sebastian is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Is San Sebastian or Girona Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is San Sebastian or Girona Better for Resorts?

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

Girona is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Girona Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for the beach. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is San Sebastian or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is very popular for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Girona has a world-famous historical area. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Girona?

Both San Sebastian and Girona 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 Girona. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Is San Sebastian or Girona More Beautiful?

Girona is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, San Sebastian is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Girona is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The most classic views are along the river and by the famed Eiffel Bridge, which looks out on the colorful buildings.

San Sebastian is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Sebastian or Girona Better for Families?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city 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.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is San Sebastian or Girona Better for Couples?

San Sebastian and Girona are both great to visit as a couple.

San Sebastian is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Girona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

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

San Sebastian is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Is San Sebastian or Girona Better for Students?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of students visit Girona. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

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

Both San Sebastian and Girona offer notable public transit options.

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

Girona has some public transit options. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is San Sebastian or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Girona on foot. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in San Sebastian or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in San Sebastian than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Sebastian, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

Families should spend more time in San Sebastian than Girona. 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 Girona. 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 Girona 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 Girona?

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 food when visiting the colorful destination of Girona. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

A weekend in San Sebastian or Girona?

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 Girona. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Girona?

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 charming destination of Girona. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in 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 San Sebastian or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy 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 food around the beautiful city of Girona. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, 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 San Sebastian and Girona, we can see that Girona 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 Girona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Girona 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 Girona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Girona?

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

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 Girona in the Summer?

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

San Sebastian is cooler than Girona in the summer. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Girona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Girona during summer. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Girona. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Girona in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, San Sebastian is around the same temperature as Girona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Sebastian in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Girona averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Girona. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in October than Girona. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Girona in the Winter?

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

In January, San Sebastian is generally around the same temperature as Girona. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 8°C (47°F), and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Girona. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Girona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Girona. The spring months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

San Sebastian is around the same temperature as Girona in the spring. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Girona. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the spring. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in April than Girona. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and San Sebastian