This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Sète.
Guess what? Sète is also named and spelled Sete - It is the same destination. Goodbye confusion.
A small, charming town on the banks of the Mediterranean, Sète is a great place to go if you want to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of larger French cities. Sète is easily walkable, although there are reliable buses from the railway station to the centre of town. However, be wary if arriving after 7 pm on a weekend, as some buses stop running quite early.
Currently your Sète hostel choices are limited, and as the town is a rather popular beach destination for French and British tourists, it's wise to book in advance. Although the hostel is located at the top of a very steep hill, it's not far from the centre of town. Due to Sète’s size, almost any hostel that opens in the town is bound to be close to downtown, and visitors should try to stay near the Canal Royale, where restaurants and shops are to be found. Even if you don’t find accommodation that includes a meal, don't despair, as Sète is replete with restaurants. The town is a seafood hub, and no visit to the town is complete without sampling some of the local catch. The lobster and mussels aren't to be missed!
Sète is quite an artsy town, and local artists often have open houses during the summer when visitors can drop by their studios. For a few weeks every July and August, Sète throws an international music festival known as Fiest’A Sète. Performances are held at the Theatre de la Mer (the Theatre of the Sea), an open-air venue that backs onto to the Mediterranean.
By far, the biggest draw to Sète are the beaches. There are eight miles of them, and all are easily accessible by foot or bus. Friendly locals will give directions if needed, but the easiest thing to do is to head in the direction of the Mediterranean and explore.
If you stay at a Sète hostel, you'll be ideally located for day trips to nearby Agde, or Arles and Carcassonne. Trains to and from the town run fairly frequently, and usually connect in Nimes or Montpellier.