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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Hvar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Hvar, 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 nightlife, food, and beaches.

Hvar

Hvar is a beautiful, vibrant, and energetic island. 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 scuba diving and snorkeling.

San Sebastian and Hvar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Hvar?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hvar than San Sebastian, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hvar is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian is more popular for its food, resorts, and shopping. Hvar is more touristy than San Sebastian and is known for its wild parties, beautiful buildings, and world class cuisine. Also, Hvar is famous for Hvar Fort. San Sebastian is well known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

How is San Sebastian different from Hvar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Sebastian offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hvar. Wandering around the old town you'll see many historic buildings such as the Cathedral of St. Stephen. You can also visit the nearby Hvar Fort or explore the Franciscan Monastery.

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

San Sebastian is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in San Sebastian have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Hvar has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's an island, so you'll find no shortage of seafood in the restaurants. There's fish, crab, lobster, squid, and octopus on the menus around town. Many dishes are prepared with risotto or pasta and you'll find a lot of olive oil and wine.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar Better for Nightlife?

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

Hvar is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island has a reputation as a party island, and it's well earned. Most of the activity is found in Hvar Town, particularly between the months of June and September. Young people flock to the island for the all night parties and wild beach bars and clubs.

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.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a city with good options for its resorts. However, Hvar 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.

Hvar is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hvar is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, San Sebastian is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Hvar has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. The water is clear and there are snorkeling day trips that leave from town. This is a great way to get out on the water and glimpse the undersea world.

San Sebastian is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar Better for Beaches?

Both San Sebastian and Hvar have high quality beaches worth visiting.

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.

The beaches at Hvar attract visitors from all over. The island has hilly bays and coves that are fun to explore. The best beaches are found to the south and southwest of the island and many are pebbly or gravelly.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar Better for Hiking?

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

Hvar has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes on the island that cater to every skill level and take you through natural areas or past historic sights.

San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Hvar?

San Sebastian is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island 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.

Hvar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. In the town you'll find galleries, boutiques, jewelry shops and other beach stores. It's fun to pop in and look at the different items.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar Better for Families?

San Sebastian and Hvar are both high quality 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 Hvar. There are adventure parks, water parks, and other fun activities for kids. There are also beaches where everyone can swim and sea kayaking trips. Hvar Observatory is also a unique and fun place to visit as a family.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar Better for Couples?

San Sebastian and Hvar are both high quality 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.

Hvar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are some romantic hotels and beautiful beaches that make this a wonderful destination for couples. Anyone who enjoys a coastal setting with clear waters and a variety of water sports will enjoy their time here.

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

Hvar is very popular for backpackers. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Hvar. The island has long been a popular stop with backpackers who enjoy the affordable prices, abundance of hostels, and active nightlife scene. You'll have no trouble meeting other travelers, particularly during the peak summer months.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit San Sebastian. 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.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar Better for Students?

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

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.

Hvar is not popular with students.

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

Both San Sebastian and Hvar 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.

Hvar has some public transit options. Buses are operated by Cazmatrans Hva and they travel between the major municipalities.

Is San Sebastian or Hvar a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island 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.

Hvar is a somewhat walkable city. Hvar Town can be explored on foot, but you'll need a vehicle to explore other parts of the island.

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

Should I spend more time in Hvar or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Hvar?

It's fun to spend time in either San Sebastian or Hvar. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Hvar 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 Hvar.

Families should spend more time in San Sebastian than Hvar. 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 Hvar. 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 Hvar than San Sebastian 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 Hvar.

One day in San Sebastian or Hvar?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the energetic destination of Hvar. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the nightlife, 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 San Sebastian or Hvar?

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 Hvar. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the nightlife, 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 San Sebastian or Hvar?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled 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 scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Hvar. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This island 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 Hvar?

The beautiful 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the beautiful island of Hvar. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between San Sebastian and Hvar, we can see that Hvar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Hvar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Hvar?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian and Hvar, 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 Hvar?

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 Hvar in the Summer?

Both Hvar and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

San Sebastian is cooler than Hvar in the summer. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Hvar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during summer. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Hvar. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Hvar in the Autumn?

Both Hvar and San Sebastian during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Hvar in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, San Sebastian is cooler than Hvar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Sebastian in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Hvar averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In Hvar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Hvar. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 200 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 Hvar. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Hvar in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Hvar. Many visitors come to San Sebastian in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hvar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during winter. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 128 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 Hvar. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Hvar in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Hvar. Most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hvar because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

San Sebastian is cooler than Hvar in the spring. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Hvar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. In the spring, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Hvar. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the spring. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in April than Hvar. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hvar and San Sebastian