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

Should you visit Tallinn or San Sebastian?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or San Sebastian, 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.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a historical, charming, and quaint city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a beautiful, splendid, and outdoorsy city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tallinn and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or San Sebastian?

You'll generally find more things to do in Tallinn than San Sebastian. Tallinn is bigger than San Sebastian, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Tallinn is better known for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while San Sebastian is more popular for its food, resorts, and beaches. Tallinn is more touristy than San Sebastian and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. Also, Tallinn is famous for The Old Town. San Sebastian is well known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

The Old Town

How is Tallinn different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Sebastian and Tallinn. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallinn or San Sebastian?

Tallinn 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 Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

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 Tallinn or San Sebastian? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Sebastian is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Tallinn area. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

Is Tallinn or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Tallinn and San Sebastian.

Tallinn has a large number of nightlife venues. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

San Sebastian is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Tallinn or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tallinn 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.

Tallinn is not a resort destination.

Is Tallinn or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for the beache. However, Tallinn 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.

Tallinn is not a beach destination.

Is Tallinn or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is very popular for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Tallinn has a world-famous historical area. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or San Sebastian?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Tallinn and San Sebastian.

Tallinn is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

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.

Is Tallinn or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Tallinn. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

Is Tallinn or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

Tallinn and San Sebastian are both superb to visit as a couple.

Tallinn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

Couples visit San Sebastian frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Tallinn. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Is Tallinn or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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.

Tallinn is popular with students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

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

Tallinn is notable 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.

Public transit in Tallinn can get you to some places easily. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

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

Is Tallinn or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Tallinn is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Tallinn on foot. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallinn and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tallinn than in San Sebastian. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Tallinn, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

Families should spend more time in San Sebastian than Tallinn. 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 Tallinn than San Sebastian. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tallinn that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tallinn 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 Tallinn.

One day in Tallinn or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Tallinn. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In San Sebastian, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Tallinn or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tallinn. 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.

In San Sebastian, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Sebastian has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Tallinn. 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.

San Sebastian is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Tallinn or San Sebastian?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Tallinn. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Sebastian. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Sebastian. One reason most visitors come is for the food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or San Sebastian?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as San Sebastian. The summer months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

Tallinn is cooler than San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tallinn this time of the year. In the summer, Tallinn often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as San Sebastian. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tallinn is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tallinn in October average around 7°C (44°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In October, Tallinn usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or San Sebastian in the Winter?

Both San Sebastian and Tallinn during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tallinn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tallinn. In January, Tallinn is generally much colder than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around -5°C (22°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and San Sebastian. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches during these months.

Tallinn can get quite cold in the spring. Tallinn is much colder than San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 4°C (39°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Tallinn