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

Should you visit Toulouse or San Sebastian?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and San Sebastian can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and beautiful city. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulouse and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or San Sebastian?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulouse than San Sebastian, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toulouse is more popular for its museums, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while San Sebastian is known for its resorts and beaches. San Sebastian is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also home to Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toulouse 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 Toulouse can be an interesting and educational experience. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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

Both Toulouse and San Sebastian offer a number of first-rate restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

Eat your way through San Sebastian, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Toulouse or San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Toulouse and San Sebastian.

Many people head to Toulouse for the nightlife scene. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

San Sebastian has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Toulouse or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Toulouse is not a resort destination.

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.

Toulouse is not a resort destination.

Is Toulouse or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for the beach. However, Toulouse is not a beach destination.

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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is notable for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Toulouse to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or San Sebastian?

If you're looking to go shopping, Toulouse and San Sebastian both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

San Sebastian is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Toulouse or San Sebastian Better for Families?

Both Toulouse and San Sebastian are high quality to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toulouse. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

San Sebastian is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Toulouse or San Sebastian Better for Couples?

Both Toulouse and San Sebastian are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Toulouse is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

San Sebastian is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Toulouse or San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Sebastian is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or San Sebastian Better for Students?

San Sebastian is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

Toulouse and San Sebastian both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

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

Is Toulouse or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

Toulouse and San Sebastian are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or San Sebastian?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic destination of Toulouse. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Toulouse or San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulouse. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

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 Toulouse or San Sebastian?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic destination of Toulouse. 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 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 Toulouse or San Sebastian?

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

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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, 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 Toulouse and San Sebastian, we can see that Toulouse 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 Toulouse would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toulouse 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 Toulouse Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or San Sebastian?

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

Both San Sebastian and Toulouse during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 22°C (72°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulouse. In the summer, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and San Sebastian. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 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, Toulouse usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as San Sebastian. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Toulouse is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulouse in January average around 6°C (44°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Toulouse usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches.

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

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Toulouse gets 178 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, Toulouse usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 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 Toulouse