A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Tenerife vs. San Sebastian for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Resorts

Should you visit Tenerife or San Sebastian?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tenerife 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.

Tenerife

Tenerife is a adventure-filled, beautiful, and volcanic island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a beautiful, splendid, and outdoorsy city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Tenerife and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tenerife or San Sebastian?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tenerife. Although Tenerife and San Sebastian are popular destinations, Tenerife has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tenerife is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian attracts visitors for its museums and food. Tenerife is more touristy than San Sebastian and is popular for its volcanic landscapes, built-up resorts, and fun-filled beaches. It is also well known for Mount Teide. San Sebastian is famous for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings.

How is Tenerife different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tenerife is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

San Sebastian is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Tenerife offers a few options for museum-goers. The island is filled with national parks, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches, but if you're not into outdoor activities, then you won't find many museums or other historical sights to visit.

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

San Sebastian is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Tenerife 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Tenerife. Many visitors stick to the major touristy areas, eating in their resorts or other nearby restaurants. If you want to try a bit of the island's authentic Canarian cuisine, you'll need to do a little research. Head into the local areas near the markets for the best chance of finding something a little more authentic. Local dishes often include fish and seafood as well as local meats, but you'll rarely find beef as there isn't a lot of land for cows to graze on the island.

Is Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

Tenerife is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Tenerife is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island has a variety of nightclubs that range in style and personality. There are all night wild beach parties as well as laid back beach clubs and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Many bars have happy hours where you can relax with a drink and many nightclubs host famous DJs that keep the party going into the early morning hours.

San Sebastian has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

Tenerife is notable for its resorts. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

Tenerife is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find everything from world-class resorts like the Ritz to more budget-friendly hotels and even some hostels around the island. You'll find most of the resorts on the south side of the island, which is also where you'll find the best weather.

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.

Is Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tenerife is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, San Sebastian is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Tenerife to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. Some of the best snorkeling is in El Puertito, which is known for its many turtles and there is no shortage of organized snorkeling trips to the area. The island also has excellent scuba diving trips with a variety of shipwrecks and marine species.

San Sebastian is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

Both Tenerife and San Sebastian have superb beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tenerife. The island has a large number of beaches that attract tourists, particularly during the peak winter months. The island's volcanic nature means that many of its natural beaches have black sand. The golden sand from the more developed beaches typically comes from the Sahara Desert. A favorite beach on the island is the 2 kilometer long Playa de las Teresitas.

The beaches at San Sebastian attract visitors from all over. 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.

Is Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Hiking?

Tenerife is very popular for the nearby hiking options. However, San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Tenerife draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The island's volcanic landscapes mean that there are dramatic and breathtaking hikes throughout the island. Some of the best hikes are found in the Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, and the Teno Mountains.

San Sebastian is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tenerife or San Sebastian?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Tenerife. The island's low tax rates make it a popular shopping destination for tourists. The are shopping streets, local markets, and luxury malls that you can explore.

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.

Is Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Families?

Tenerife is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Tenerife is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. The island has many great waterparks for kids, with one of the best being Siam Park. Other family-friendly destinations include Aqualand, Loro Parque, Jungle Park, and Monkey Park. There are whale watching trips, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly beaches as well.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in San Sebastian. 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.

Is Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

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

Tenerife makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The natural beauty, great landscapes, and lively beaches make this a great island for a romantic getaway. There's hiking and outdoor adventures as well as swimming, boat rides, and even whale watching.

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 Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Tenerife is a good island to visit for backpackers. The island is large enough that there are a decent number of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay for backpackers.

Is Tenerife or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Tenerife is not popular with 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.

Tenerife is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Tenerife and San Sebastian.

Tenerife has some public transit options. The island has a decent bus service that is operated by a company called "TITSA".

You'll find some public transit in San Sebastian, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.

Is Tenerife or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

San Sebastian is very walkable. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.

Tenerife is a somewhat walkable place. There are many walks on the island that make for a fun way to explore the setting.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Tenerife?

How long in Tenerife or San Sebastian?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tenerife and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tenerife than in San Sebastian. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tenerife, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.

Families should spend more time in Tenerife than San Sebastian. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tenerife, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tenerife than San Sebastian. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tenerife 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 Tenerife 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 Tenerife or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the volcanic destination of Tenerife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

The city of San Sebastian offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Tenerife or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tenerife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

San Sebastian is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Sebastian, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Tenerife or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Tenerife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

San Sebastian is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Tenerife or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful island of Tenerife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

San Sebastian is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.

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

When is the best time to visit Tenerife 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 Tenerife or San Sebastian in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Tenerife is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tenerife in July average around 23°C (73°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 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 Tenerife this time of the year. In the summer, Tenerife often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Tenerife gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Tenerife usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Tenerife gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tenerife or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

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

In October, Tenerife is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Tenerife average around 22°C (72°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tenerife. Tenerife usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Tenerife gets 200 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, Tenerife usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Tenerife gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tenerife or San Sebastian in the Winter?

Both San Sebastian and Tenerife during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tenerife for 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.

Tenerife is much warmer than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Tenerife averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Tenerife often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Tenerife gets 191 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. Tenerife usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Tenerife gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tenerife or San Sebastian in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Tenerife is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tenerife in April average around 18°C (64°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Tenerife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tenerife usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Tenerife gets 205 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, Tenerife usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Tenerife gets 19 mm (0.7 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 Tenerife