Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Setubal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Setubal or San Sebastian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and San Sebastian can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or San Sebastian?
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
San Sebastian
San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySetubal €123San Sebastian €86
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is €86. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Setubal and San Sebastian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal €59San Sebastian €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal €118San Sebastian €80
Compare Hotels in Setubal and San Sebastian
Looking for a hotel in Setubal or San Sebastian? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Setubal Hotel Prices and San Sebastian Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal €54San Sebastian €14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $148
- Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $197
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $291
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $247
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $245
- Private Transfer from the Airport to San Sebastian City: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or San Sebastian?
Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Setubal change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySetubal €35San Sebastian €31
Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€55
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Lunch for 2€10
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Lunch for 2€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
- San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
- Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $109
- Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $148
- Full Day San Sebastian Food Tour : $150
- I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $152
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $152
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $158
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $213
- Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
- History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal €12San Sebastian €33
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Evora Highlights Walking Tour Audio and GPS Guided: $7.59
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo: E-ticket with Audio: $17
- Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $38
- Kayak tour from Sesimbra to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves: $38
- Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $38
- Setúbal: Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour: $40
- Arrábida: Rock Climbing Experience: $43
- Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
- Small Group Kayak Tour along Sesimbra - Arrábida Natural Park: $44
- Tour to the caves of Sesimbra: $44
- 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Valle de los Caídos Monument€6.00
Tours and Activities in San Sebastian
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
- Biarritz & La Côte Basque Private tour: $246
- Biarritz and French Coast Small Grop Tour from San Sebastian: $86
- Bilbao city and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $164
- Chef-Led Market Tour & Pintxo Lunch: $163
- Chef-Led Walking Pintxo Tour of San Sebastián : $272
- Cider House Experience From San Sebastian: $120
- City tour, bike ride: $45
- City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
- Coastal "Winery Camino Trail" Walking Tour from San Sebastian: $186
- Electric scooter city tour: $45
- Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with Discover San Sebastian: $191
- Exclusive Private Pintxos Adventure with Premium Spanish Wines": $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal €10San Sebastian €20
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $56
- Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $71
- Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
- Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $106
- Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $137
- Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $152
- Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $170
Sample the Local Flavors in San Sebastian
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $148
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $251
- Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour: $298
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and San Sebastian, we can see that Setubal 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 Setubal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Setubal or San Sebastian?
San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and San Sebastian, 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 Setubal or San Sebastian?
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 Setubal or San Sebastian in the Summer?
Both San Sebastian and Setubal during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Setubal is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Setubal in July average around 23°C (73°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the summer, Setubal often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.
Setubal usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySetubal 23°C (73°F)San Sebastian 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Setubal or San Sebastian in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and San Sebastian. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Setubal is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 19°C (66°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Setubal usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSetubal 19°C (66°F)San Sebastian 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Setubal or San Sebastian in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Setubal as well as San Sebastian. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Setubal is a little warmer than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Setubal often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Setubal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Setubal usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySetubal 12°C (53°F)San Sebastian 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Setubal or San Sebastian in the Spring?
Both San Sebastian and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches.
In the spring, Setubal is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Setubal in April average around 16°C (60°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In April, Setubal usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSetubal 16°C (60°F)San Sebastian 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Setubal
| Setubal | San Sebastian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.