A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Santorini vs. Aegina for Couples, Attractions, Nightlife, and Food

Should you visit Santorini or Aegina?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Aegina, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Santorini

Santorini is a romantic, stunning, and historic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Aegina

Aegina is a active, relaxing, and vibrant island. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Aegina: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Santorini or Aegina?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santorini. Although Santorini and Aegina are both popular with visitors, Santorini has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santorini is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Aegina is known for its museums, nightlife, and small town charm. Santorini is more touristy than Aegina and is popular for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. It is also home to The Caldera and Volcano of Santorini. Aegina is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens.

How is Santorini different from Aegina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santorini or Aegina?

Santorini
Aegina

Aegina is a great island for its historical sights. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Aegina can be an interesting and educational experience. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santorini. One of the most impressive historical sights is Akrotiri Archaeological Site. The island has many archeological sites as well as the Archeological Museum in Fira.


Is the Food Better in Santorini or Aegina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santorini
Aegina

Dining out at restaurants in both Santorini and Aegina can be an enjoyable experience.

Santorini has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Aegina area. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Nightlife?

Santorini
Aegina

Aegina is a great island for nightlife and partying. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Aegina has something for everybody. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Santorini. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Resorts?

Santorini
Aegina

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for its resorts. However, Aegina is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Santorini is a great choice. The resorts range from all-inclusive options to resorts with a more local feel. The island is one of the most romantic of the Greek Islands, and the resorts are no exception.

Aegina is not a resort destination.


Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini
Aegina

Santorini is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aegina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Santorini has a few good snorkeling spots. Some of the best snorkeling places are found at Red Beach, White Beach, and the less accessible Kambia. One of the island's best diving spots is Caldera Beach.

Aegina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Beaches?

Santorini
Aegina

Both Santorini and Aegina have good beaches worth visiting.

Santorini has a beach worth visiting. The island has many beaches, most of which are made of black pebbly sand that are a result of the island's volcanic history. Popular beaches include Perissa Beach, Kamari Beach, and Perivolos Beach.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Aegina. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Hiking?

Santorini
Aegina

Santorini is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Aegina is not a hiking destination.

Santorini is a good destination for hiking. The best hiking trails on the island pass by quaint villages and offers stunning ocean views. You can also hike along the edge of a volcano.

Aegina is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Aegina?

Santorini
Aegina

Santorini is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Santorini. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Aegina. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Families?

Santorini
Aegina

Santorini and Aegina are both good destinations for the whole family.

Santorini offers lots of family activities. It is a calmer destination than many of the Greek Islands. While it's a great place to relax with kids, the beaches aren't as good as they are on some of the other islands. Most families hang out in Kamari and Perissa Beach.

Aegina is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Couples?

Santorini
Aegina

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Santorini makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It is a dream honeymoon destination that is famous for its picturesque setting and luxury resorts. For many couples, this is a top pick for a romantic trip to the Greek Isles.

Aegina is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.


Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini
Aegina

For backpackers, both Santorini and Aegina are good places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santorini. The island has its share of 5 star resorts, but if you head a few streets in you'll find some surprisingly affordable accommodation. Backpackers are welcomed on the island and beaches are free, so it's possible to get by on a relatively low budget.

Aegina is a good island to visit for backpackers. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Is Santorini or Aegina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santorini
Aegina

Santorini and Aegina both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Santorini offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system, KTEL Santorini Buses, that runs 23 buses during the summer months but only a small fraction of that operate during the winter months.

Aegina has a few public transit options. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Is Santorini or Aegina a more walkable city?

Santorini
Aegina

Santorini and Aegina are good when it comes to walkability.

Santorini is a somewhat walkable place. Many towns on the island are walkable, including Fira, but the actual island is too large to explore on foot.

Aegina is a somewhat walkable island. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.


For even more information, also check out Is Santorini Worth Visiting? and Is Aegina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aegina or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Aegina?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santorini or Aegina to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Santorini than Aegina because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 1-2 days is enough time in Aegina.

Families should spend more time in Santorini than Aegina. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santorini, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Aegina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santorini that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santorini than Aegina 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 Santorini.


  • How many days in Santorini or Aegina? Ideal Length of Stay
    Santorini 3-7 
    Aegina 1-2

One day in Santorini or Aegina?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Santorini. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the island of Aegina. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Aegina has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Aegina?

Santorini is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Aegina. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Aegina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing island of Aegina. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Santorini or Aegina?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Santorini. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Aegina is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Aegina or Santorini?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Aegina is €92. 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 Santorini and Aegina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 93
    Aegina 43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 186
    Aegina 86
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Aegina

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Aegina? 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 Santorini


Hotels in Aegina


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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Aegina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 28
    Aegina 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Santorini Airport JTR or Port to Santorini by Minibus: $46
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Santorini Airport JTR to Santorini by Sedan Car: $23
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer in Santorini: $15
  • Blue Dome And Oia Sunset Small Group Transfer: $38
  • Blue Dome and Oia Sunset Small Group Transfer: $39
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorni to Santorini Airport JTR or Port by Sprinter: $46
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Airport: $18
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Port: $33
  • Economy Departure Transfers To Santorini Airport: $15
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $3,800
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Santorini Port To All Destinations: $110
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Santorini Airport: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Aegina?

Prices for flights to both Aegina and Santorini 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
    Santorini 48
    Aegina 34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Live Virtual Cooking Class: $25
  • Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini: $55
  • Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $71
  • Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $71
  • Virtual Private Cooking Class Live from Santorini: $72
  • Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $81
  • Santorini Caldera Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine: $88
  • Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $92
  • Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $98
  • Santorini Volcano Sunset Cruise Including Dinner on Board: $109
  • Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $121
  • Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $122

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini 36
    Aegina 13

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Akrotiri Archaeological Site Entry Ticket: $8.58
  • Megalochori: Lost Atlantis 9D Experience Museum Entry Ticket: $15
  • Oia Sunset Daily Tour: $17
  • Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $28
  • The Beer Tasting and Pairing Experience: $28
  • Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit: $28
  • Kayak Rental Adventure in Watersports Santorini: $33
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $33
  • The Beer And The History semi private Experience: $39
  • Mesa Gonia, Pyrgos and Oia Tour: $45
  • Ferry Ticket to Paros or Naxos with Hotel Pickup: $46
  • Discover Best Of Santorini with Locals Small Group Half Day Tour : $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini 26
    Aegina 8.57

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $61
  • Top Sights of Santorini with Wine Tasting and Sunset in Oia: $61
  • Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $70
  • Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $76
  • Santorini 4-Hour Private Tour including Wine Tasting, Shore Excursion: $105
  • Santorini 4 Hour Private Oia Tour & Wine Tasting : $106
  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira: $110
  • Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $119
  • Santorini Wine Adventure in 3 Wineries with Wine Tastings, Sunset: $133
  • Wine Adventure in 3 Wineries and 12 Wine Tastings: $157
  • Three Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings: $163
  • Wine Tasting Tour & Sunset Viewing: $163


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Aegina, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini than you might in Aegina.

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


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Aegina?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Aegina, 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.