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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Oslo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Oslo, 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. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean 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 food, museums, and nightlife.

San Sebastian and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo than San Sebastian. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while San Sebastian attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. San Sebastian is famous for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace.

How is San Sebastian different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oslo 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 Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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 Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is San Sebastian or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is San Sebastian or Oslo Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Oslo is not a resort destination.

San Sebastian has a handful of resorts to choose from. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.

Oslo is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Oslo Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is notable for its beaches. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Oslo?

San Sebastian is notable for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

San Sebastian is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is San Sebastian or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Oslo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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.

Is San Sebastian or Oslo Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

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

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

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Oslo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is San Sebastian or Oslo Better for Students?

San Sebastian and Oslo are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

Oslo is very popular 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.

Oslo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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

Is San Sebastian or Oslo a more walkable city?

San Sebastian and Oslo 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.

Oslo is a very walkable destination. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Oslo?

In either San Sebastian or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than San Sebastian because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Sebastian, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

Families should spend more time in Oslo than San Sebastian. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oslo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Sebastian than Oslo. 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 Oslo 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 Oslo?

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.

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo. 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 Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the splendid 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.

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in San Sebastian or Oslo?

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 museums and nightlife around the city of Oslo. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In July, San Sebastian is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 20°C (68°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Sebastian usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and San Sebastian during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

San Sebastian is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, San Sebastian often gets more sunshine than Oslo. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 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 Oslo. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Oslo. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Oslo can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, San Sebastian is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Sebastian in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

San Sebastian usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 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 Oslo. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Oslo. Many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, San Sebastian is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 12°C (54°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Oslo. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the spring. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and San Sebastian