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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Trento?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Trento, 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. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Trento

Trento is a youthful, high energy, and dynamic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

San Sebastian and Trento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Trento?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Sebastian than Trento. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Sebastian is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Trento attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. San Sebastian is more touristy than Trento and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. It is also well known for La Concha Bay. Trento is famous for its beautiful mountain scenery and its historical buildings.

How is San Sebastian different from Trento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both San Sebastian and Trento.

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 Trento. Perhaps one of the most popular sights is Castello del Buonconsiglio. The Museum of Science is also fun for kids and adults alike and the Duomo is beautiful.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Trento. The food in the region is influenced by nearby countries such as Austria. Carne salada, which is like corned beef, has a long history in the area. Schüttelbrot is a local flatbread and meraner wurst is a bit like a hot dog. You'll also find salamis and various cheeses.

Is San Sebastian or Trento Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian is great for nightlife. However, Trento is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

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.

Most people don't head to Trento specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Despite the large student population, there aren't a lot of bars and clubs around town. Most parties are held in private residences, so visitors may find the nightlife scene a bit slow.

Is San Sebastian or Trento Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Trento 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.

Trento is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Trento Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for its beaches. However, Trento is not a beach destination.

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.

Trento is not a beach destination.

Is San Sebastian or Trento Better for Hiking?

Trento is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Trento is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding countryside has many beautiful hikes and stunning viewpoints that make for a great outing outside of town.

San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Trento?

San Sebastian is great for shopping. Also, Trento is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Trento offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the main shopping street, Via Balenzani for boutique shopping. You'll also find artisan shops and other unique vendors around town.

Is San Sebastian or Trento Better for Families?

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

San Sebastian is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Trento is a family-friendly place to visit. Outside of town you'll find plenty of outdoor adventures that the kids will enjoy. In town, there's history and fun kid-friendly museums.

Is San Sebastian or Trento Better for Couples?

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

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.

Trento makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town mixes old and new in a beautiful setting that makes for a great romantic getaway. Nearby there are outdoor adventures and in town there's a beautiful atmosphere and great restaurants.

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

San Sebastian is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Trento is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

San Sebastian is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Trento. There aren't many hostels in town, but there are some fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is San Sebastian or Trento Better for Students?

Trento 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.

Trento is a great destination for students. It's a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of interesting places to explore in the area.

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 Trento Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both San Sebastian and Trento offer nice public transit options.

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

Trento has some public transit options. The city has a number of bus lines through town.

Is San Sebastian or Trento a more walkable city?

San Sebastian and Trento both are excellent 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.

Trento is a very walkable destination. Much of the city can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Trento or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Trento?

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

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

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 museums and food when visiting the youthful destination of Trento. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Trento?

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 Trento. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Trento?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the youthful destination of Trento. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Trento?

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 museums and food around the beautiful city of Trento. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Bicycle Tours in Italy, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Trento?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Trento. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian and Trento, 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 Trento?

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 Trento in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Trento. Most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Trento because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, San Sebastian is generally cooler than Trento. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 20°C (68°F), and Trento fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Trento. 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 Trento. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trento receives 286 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian usually gets more rain in July than Trento. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Trento receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Trento in the Autumn?

Both Trento and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Trento this time of year.

San Sebastian is a little warmer than Trento in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Trento fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

San Sebastian usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Trento during autumn. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Trento receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. In October, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Trento. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Trento receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Trento in the Winter?

Both Trento and San Sebastian during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Trento for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Trento. In the winter, San Sebastian is much warmer than Trento. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Sebastian in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Trento averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Trento. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trento receives 98 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 Trento. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Trento receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Trento in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Trento. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Trento in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, San Sebastian is generally around the same temperature as Trento. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 12°C (54°F), and Trento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Trento during spring. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Trento receives 169 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 Trento. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Trento receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Trento and San Sebastian