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Is San Sebastian expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
San Sebastián is one of the most expensive cities in Spain, mainly because hotels are scarce and in high demand; prices are closer to Paris than to Andalusia in summer. A budget traveller needs about €94 per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about €203 and comfort about €540. Food is the good news: pintxos let you eat superbly at reasonable prices, though nothing is free as in Granada.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €50 | €105 | €280 |
| Food & drink | €35 | €70 | €180 |
| Sights & tickets | €5 | €20 | €60 |
| Local transport | €4 | €8 | €20 |
| Per person, per day | €94 | €203 | €540 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our San Sebastian day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Gilda (olive, anchovy and pepper pintxo) | roughly €2.50-3.50 |
| Hot pintxo cooked to order | roughly €4-8 |
| Glass of txakoli or cider | roughly €2.50-4 |
| Slice of Basque burnt cheesecake | roughly €5-7 |
| Monte Igueldo funicular return | about €4-5 |
| Surf lesson at Zurriola | about €30-50 |
| Shared txuleta (rib steak) at an asador | often €35-60 per person |
| Tasting menu at a top restaurant | €250+ before wine |
| Mid-range double in the old town or centre | €150-260 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is by far the biggest cost: even simple rooms in Egia or Amara cost €80-130 a night, and the old town and La Concha seafront much more, especially in July, August and Film Festival week. Food can be modest or very expensive, from a pintxos crawl to Michelin tasting menus. Sights and transport are cheap, as the city is compact and the beaches and viewpoints are free.
When it is cheaper
November to March, outside Christmas and cider-house weekends, is cheaper, with hotel rates often roughly 30-50% below summer. July, August and the Film Festival in September are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Stay in Egia, Amara or Gros rather than the old town or seafront.
- Order hot pintxos from the blackboard one or two at a time and keep track of what you ate.
- Eat pintxos in Gros, where prices are a little lower and bars less touristy.
- Visit a cider house (sagardotegi) for a fixed menu with unlimited cider in season.
- Use Lurraldebus buses for Getaria, Zarautz and Hondarribia rather than taxis or tours.
- Fly into Bilbao or Biarritz if San Sebastián flights are expensive, then take the bus.
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Common questions
Is San Sebastián expensive?
Yes for hotels: budget travellers need about €94 a day and mid-range about €203. Pintxos keep food prices reasonable.
How much do pintxos cost in San Sebastián?
About €2.50-3.50 for a cold pintxo like a gilda and €4-8 for hot ones cooked to order.
Are pintxos free in San Sebastián?
No. Unlike Granada's tapas, every pintxo is paid for; ask prices or order one at a time.