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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Livorno?

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

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

Livorno

Livorno is a waterfront, friendly, and down-to-earth port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

San Sebastian and Livorno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Livorno?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Livorno. Although San Sebastian and Livorno are both popular with visitors, Livorno has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Livorno is more popular for its big city activities, while San Sebastian is known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. San Sebastian is more touristy than Livorno and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Livorno is popular for its large port and its great seafood. It is also home to The Waterfront Promenade.

How is San Sebastian different from Livorno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

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.

Livorno offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The waterfront promenade and New Venice are nice to explore. There's an aquarium in town as well as a fun central market.

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

San Sebastian is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its 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.

Livorno offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. As a port city, this is the place to try seafood. Many dishes include calamari, shrimp, or freshly caught fish. The city is less touristy than most in Italy, so even the food has an authentic and down-to-earth vibe.

Is San Sebastian or Livorno Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is great for its evening party scene. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Many people head to San Sebastian for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Livorno. Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, and depart in the evening, but the city is large and for those that stay the night, there are a number of bars and clubs around town.

Is San Sebastian or Livorno Better for Resorts?

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

Livorno is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Livorno Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for the beach. However, Livorno is not a good destination 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.

Livorno is a good spot to see the beach. The beaches are pebbly or rocky, so you won't really find a long stretch of sandy beach where you can relax. They can also stay very crowded.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Livorno?

San Sebastian is great for its shopping areas. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

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.

Livorno is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Grande. It's generally filled with major chain stores and familiar brands.

Is San Sebastian or Livorno Better for Families?

San Sebastian is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in San Sebastian. 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.

Livorno is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a nice aquarium as well as outdoor recreational activities like cycling and boating. There's a beach and parks where kids can stretch their legs and run around as well.

Is San Sebastian or Livorno Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is great for couples. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

San Sebastian is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Livorno is a nice destination for couples. There are some nice museums as well as parks and boat rides that couples can enjoy. There's also an aquarium and a beach.

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

San Sebastian is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Livorno is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Livorno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this city, so you won't find many hostels around town. It's a relatively affordable place to stay with some fun entertainment options if you do pass through.

Is San Sebastian or Livorno Better for Students?

San Sebastian is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Livorno 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.

Livorno is not popular with students.

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

Both San Sebastian and Livorno 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.

Livorno has some public transit options. There are buses around town including lines that run from the central train station to the port.

Is San Sebastian or Livorno a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

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.

Livorno is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but if you're arriving by cruise ship, you'll want to take a shuttle bus from the port.

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

Should I spend more time in Livorno or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Livorno?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in San Sebastian or Livorno to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in San Sebastian than Livorno 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 Livorno.

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

In San Sebastian, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the waterfront destination of Livorno. 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 Livorno?

In San Sebastian, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Sebastian has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Livorno. 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 Livorno?

San Sebastian is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the friendly destination of Livorno. This port 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 Livorno?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Sebastian. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Sebastian. One reason most visitors come is for the food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the port city of Livorno. 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 Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Livorno?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Livorno. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian and Livorno, 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 Livorno?

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 Livorno in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Livorno. The summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Livorno this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Livorno. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Sebastian this time of the year. In the summer, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Livorno. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Livorno receives 316 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian usually gets more rain in July than Livorno. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Livorno in the Autumn?

Both Livorno and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Livorno for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, San Sebastian is generally around the same temperature as Livorno. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 16°C (60°F), and Livorno fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Livorno during autumn. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Livorno receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Livorno. It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. In October, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Livorno. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Livorno in the Winter?

Both Livorno and San Sebastian during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Livorno in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

San Sebastian is a little warmer than Livorno in the winter. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Livorno fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Livorno. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Livorno receives 105 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in January than Livorno. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Livorno in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Livorno. Many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Livorno for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

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

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Livorno during spring. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Livorno receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Livorno. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Livorno and San Sebastian