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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Rijeka?

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

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

Rijeka

Rijeka is a slow-paced, coastal, and accessible town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Rijeka?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rijeka than San Sebastian. While San Sebastian is larger than Rijeka, Rijeka has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rijeka is more popular for its big city activities, while San Sebastian is known for its food, resorts, beaches, and shopping. San Sebastian is more touristy than Rijeka and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Rijeka is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. It is also home to Trsat Castle.

How is San Sebastian different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both San Sebastian and Rijeka.

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 Rijeka. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

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

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

San Sebastian has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is San Sebastian or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both San Sebastian and Rijeka.

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.

Rijeka has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

Is San Sebastian or Rijeka Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is very good for its resorts. However, Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

San Sebastian is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Rijeka?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is San Sebastian or Rijeka Better for Families?

San Sebastian and Rijeka are both excellent 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 Rijeka. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

Is San Sebastian or Rijeka Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

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

San Sebastian is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

San Sebastian is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Rijeka. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is San Sebastian or Rijeka Better for Students?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for students. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

San Sebastian is very popular with students. There are good educational programs in town, as well as nice beaches and a good student population. The locals are also welcoming and friendly.

Plenty of students visit Rijeka. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

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

Both San Sebastian and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka has some public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is San Sebastian or Rijeka a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Rijeka?

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

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

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Rijeka. 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka. 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 Rijeka?

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 coastal destination of Rijeka. This town 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 Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful 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 town of Rijeka. 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between San Sebastian and Rijeka, we can see that Rijeka 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 Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Rijeka?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, San Sebastian is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Sebastian in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Rijeka averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Rijeka. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during summer. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Rijeka. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and San Sebastian during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

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

In the autumn, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 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 Rijeka. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Rijeka. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

San Sebastian is much warmer than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during winter. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 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 Rijeka. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Rijeka. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches. Additionally, many visitors come to Rijeka in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, San Sebastian is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Sebastian in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the spring. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in April than Rijeka. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and San Sebastian