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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Naples?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Naples, 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. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Naples

Naples is a fascinating, historic, and authentic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Naples than San Sebastian, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Naples is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities, while San Sebastian is known for its resorts and beaches. San Sebastian is more touristy than Naples and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also home to Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is San Sebastian different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Naples 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 Naples can be an interesting and educational experience. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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 Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both San Sebastian and Naples 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 Naples have been singled out for their culinary prowess. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Is San Sebastian or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are superb in both San Sebastian and Naples.

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.

Naples has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is San Sebastian or Naples Better for Resorts?

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

Naples is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Naples Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is well known for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

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.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is San Sebastian or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples is notable for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Naples to see the historical old town. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Naples?

Both San Sebastian and Naples are superb 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 Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is San Sebastian or Naples Better for Families?

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

San Sebastian is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is San Sebastian or Naples Better for Couples?

San Sebastian and Naples are both superb 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.

Naples makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

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

Both San Sebastian and Naples 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 Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is San Sebastian or Naples Better for Students?

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

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.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

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

Naples 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 Naples can get you to some places easily. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

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

Is San Sebastian or Naples a more walkable city?

San Sebastian and Naples 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.

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Sebastian and Naples. In our opinion, San Sebastian has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in San Sebastian than Naples. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Sebastian, and 1-3 days is enough time in Naples.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples 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 Naples.

One day in San Sebastian or Naples?

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.

Naples is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Naples?

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 Naples. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the food, 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 Naples?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating big city of Naples. 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 Naples?

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 food and shopping around the city of Naples. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Naples. The summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In the summer, San Sebastian is cooler than Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Sebastian in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Naples this time of the year. In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Naples during summer. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Naples. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Naples. The shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, San Sebastian is generally around the same temperature as Naples. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 16°C (60°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Naples. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in October than Naples. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

San Sebastian is around the same temperature as Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Naples during winter. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. In January, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Naples. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and San Sebastian during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the activities around the city during these months.

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

In the spring, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Naples. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in April than Naples. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Naples and San Sebastian