A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zagora vs. San Sebastian for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zagora or San Sebastian?

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

Should I visit Zagora or San Sebastian? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Zagora or San Sebastian?

Zagora

A small town in southern Morocco, Zagora is a popular base camp for excursions on foot, by camel, or four wheel drive vehicles into the surrounding desert. One of the most famous and historic treks is the ancient caravan route to Timbuktu, marked by a famous sign at the end of town - indicating a journey of "52 days" by camel.

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 Adventure Tours to Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Zagora?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Zagora Prices
    Morocco Prices
    San Sebastian Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Zagora $66
    San Sebastian $133

The average daily cost (per person) in Zagora is $66, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is $133. 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 Zagora and San Sebastian in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zagora $40
    San Sebastian $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zagora $80
    San Sebastian $94
Compare Hotels in Zagora and San Sebastian

Looking for a hotel in Zagora 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.

Hotels in Zagora


Hotels in San Sebastian


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: Zagora Hotel Prices and San Sebastian Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zagora $1.58
    San Sebastian $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:

  • San Sebastian Private Arrival Transfer: $59
  • Transfer S. Sebastian to Bilbao or S. Sebastian Airports by Sedan: $65
  • Private Transfer in San Sebastian: $87
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to San Sebastian Airport: $97
  • Transfer San Sebastian to Bilbao or San Sebastian Airports by Van: $116
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Biarritz Airport : $192
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Biarritz city: $192
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Biarritz: $192
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $281
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $281
  • San Sebastián: Transfer to Biarritz: $287

Is it cheaper to fly into Zagora or San Sebastian?

Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Zagora 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zagora $25
    San Sebastian $64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagora

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagora.

  • Morocco Cooking Class Tour with local market visit : $39

Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian

Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    $65
  • Lunch for 2
    $12
  • Lunch for 2
    $37

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 Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $118
  • San Sebastian Food Tour: Pintxo Tasting Paired with Spanish Wines: $131
  • Best Street Food Tour of San Sebastian with a Local Guide: $133
  • Basque cuisine cooking class: $155
  • Basque Cooking Experience: Market Tour & Hands-On Class English: $155
  • Authentic Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian Old Town: $166
  • Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $173
  • Dinner in a Gastronomic Club in San Sebastian: $191
  • Eat Like a True Basque San Sebastian Authentic Culinary Food Tour: $197
  • Local Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $233
  • San Sebastián Food & History Tour: Dinner with a Local Twist: $256
  • Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $275

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zagora $3.16
    San Sebastian $37

Tours and Activities in Zagora

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zagora are as follows:

  • 2 days tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga: $149
  • Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $179
  • Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 and camel ride : $191
  • Private Day Camel Trekking Tour in Draa Valley from Zagora: $235

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:


  • Valle de los Caídos Monument
    $7.04

Tours and Activities in San Sebastian

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:

  • San Sebastián Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.13
  • Who Am I? San Sebastian Identity Puzzle Adventure: $5.96
  • Old Town Exploration Game and Tour: $7.44
  • San Sebastian Interactive City Tour: $8.33
  • San Sebastian Donostria: Self Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $14
  • Sampling San Sebastián's History: A Self Guided Audio Tour : $15
  • San Sebastian Walking Tour with Pintxo and Drink: $18
  • San Sebastian Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour: $19
  • Guided tour of San Sebastián: $20
  • Tour por el estadio Real Sociedad: $22
  • Hondarribia on Bicycle Tour of Nature and Basque Culture: $36
  • zumaia sup tours: $39

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zagora -
    San Sebastian $23

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:

  • San Sebastian Old Town Pintxos & Wine Tour Small Group Tour: $123
  • San Sebastian Centro Neighborhood Pintxos & Wine Tour: $130
  • San Sebastian Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour: $173
  • Small Group Basque Food, Pintxos and Wine Tour in San Sebastian : $178
  • Private Half Day Txakoli Wine Tour & Getaria Fishing Village: $209
  • Open Food & Wine tours in San Sebastian: $214
  • Marques de Riscal and Ysios Architecture Wine Tour w/Lunch, SS: $284
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $287
  • Private Txakoli Wine Tour through the Coast from San Sebastian: $287
  • Private Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour from San Sebastian: $299
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $299


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagora and San Sebastian, we can see that San Sebastian is more expensive. And not only is Zagora much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagora is in Africa and San Sebastian is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zagora would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagora 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 San Sebastian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Sebastian than you might in Zagora.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagora Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zagora or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zagora. When comparing the sizes of Zagora 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.