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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Pisa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Pisa, 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. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Pisa

Pisa is a classic, charming, and iconic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Sebastian and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Pisa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pisa than San Sebastian. While San Sebastian is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is better known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian is more popular for its food, resorts, and beaches. San Sebastian is well known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. Also, Pisa is famous for The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is San Sebastian different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pisa 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 Pisa can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

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 Pisa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Sebastian is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, San Sebastian is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Dining out in Pisa is an experience not to be missed. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Is San Sebastian or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are very good in both San Sebastian and Pisa.

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.

Pisa has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

Is San Sebastian or Pisa Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Pisa Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a great city for the beache. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

San Sebastian is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Pisa to enjoy the beach. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

Is San Sebastian or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Pisa to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Pisa?

Both San Sebastian and Pisa are very good 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 Pisa. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

Is San Sebastian or Pisa Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, San Sebastian is very family-friendly. 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.

Pisa is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

Is San Sebastian or Pisa Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

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.

Pisa is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

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

Both San Sebastian and Pisa are very good 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 Pisa. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

Is San Sebastian or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is very popular for students. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Pisa is a great destination for students. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

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.

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

Both San Sebastian and Pisa 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.

Pisa has some public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is San Sebastian or Pisa a more walkable city?

San Sebastian and Pisa both are very good 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.

Pisa is a very walkable destination. The city is a great place to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Pisa?

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

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

One day in San Sebastian or Pisa?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Pisa. 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 Pisa?

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 Pisa. 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 Pisa?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the world-famous destination of Pisa. 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 Pisa?

The outdoorsy 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 food and shopping around the beautiful city of Pisa. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Pisa?

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

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 Pisa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Pisa. Many visitors come to San Sebastian in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

San Sebastian is cooler than Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pisa. 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 Pisa. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Pisa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, San Sebastian is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Sebastian in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. In October, San Sebastian usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pisa. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and San Sebastian during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In January, San Sebastian is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 8°C (47°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Pisa. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa 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 Pisa. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Pisa. The beaches are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

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

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the spring. San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Pisa. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and San Sebastian