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

Should you visit The Hague 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 The Hague and San Sebastian can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a global, international, and bustling city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

San Sebastian

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

The Hague and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or San Sebastian?

Tourists will generally find more to do in The Hague than San Sebastian. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. The Hague is very popular for its music and big city activities, while San Sebastian attracts visitors for its museums, food, resorts, and beaches. San Sebastian is more touristy than The Hague and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. The Hague is famous for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy. It is also well known for The Peace Palace.

How is The Hague different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Sebastian is very good for its museums and history. However, The Hague does not have 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.

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

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

San Sebastian is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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 The Hague. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

Is The Hague or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

Both The Hague and San Sebastian have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

The Hague has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

The people in San Sebastian know how to have a good time. 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 The Hague or San Sebastian Better for Music?

The Hague is notable for its live music scene. However, San Sebastian is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in The Hague. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

San Sebastian is not a live music destination.

Is The Hague or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

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

The Hague is not a resort destination.

Is The Hague or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, The Hague 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.

The Hague is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or San Sebastian?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both The Hague and San Sebastian.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting The Hague. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

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 The Hague or San Sebastian Better for Families?

San Sebastian is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in The Hague. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

Is The Hague or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

San Sebastian makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

The Hague makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Is The Hague or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Sebastian is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, The Hague 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit The Hague. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

Is The Hague or San Sebastian Better for Students?

The Hague 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.

The Hague is a great destination for students. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

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

The Hague 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 The Hague can get you to some places easily. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

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

Is The Hague or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

San Sebastian is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague 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.

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or San Sebastian?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Sebastian than The Hague 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 The Hague or San Sebastian?

The Hague is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of San Sebastian. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in The Hague or San Sebastian?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of San Sebastian. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in The Hague or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse big city of The Hague. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of San Sebastian. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in The Hague or San Sebastian?

You'll find live music and food around the city of The Hague. 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.

San Sebastian is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, The Hague or San Sebastian?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or San Sebastian in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to The Hague as well as San Sebastian. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, The Hague is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in The Hague in July average around 17°C (62°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 The Hague this time of the year. In the summer, The Hague often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

Both San Sebastian and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to The Hague for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, The Hague is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 11°C (51°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. The Hague gets 105 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, The Hague usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. The Hague gets 72 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 The Hague or San Sebastian in the Winter?

Both San Sebastian and The Hague during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to The Hague in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The Hague can get quite cold in the winter. The Hague is much colder than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, The Hague often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. The Hague gets 47 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. The Hague usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or San Sebastian in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and San Sebastian. Most visitors come to The Hague for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches.

In the spring, The Hague is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in The Hague in April average around 8°C (46°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The Hague usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. The Hague gets 158 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, The Hague usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 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 The Hague