A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Arles for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Santorini or Arles?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Arles, 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santorini than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Santorini is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Arles is known for its museums, food, and historical sights. Santorini is more touristy than Arles 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. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Santorini different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles 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 Arles?

Arles is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Arles are world-renowned. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

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 Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Arles has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Santorini area. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Santorini and Arles.

If you're looking for night time activities Santorini has a few options to choose from. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for Resorts?

Santorini is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Arles is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Santorini is a perfect 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.

Arles is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Santorini. 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.

Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for Beaches?

Santorini is very good for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Santorini to enjoy the beach. 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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Santorini does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for Hiking?

Santorini is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santorini. 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.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Arles?

Santorini is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles 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 Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for Families?

Santorini is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Santorini. 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for Couples?

Santorini is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Santorini has plenty to offer. 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.

Arles is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Santorini or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santorini is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

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

Santorini and Arles 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.

Arles has a few public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Santorini or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is a great town for its high level of walkability. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its ease of walking around.

Arles is a very walkable town. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santorini or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Santorini than Arles 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 Arles.

Families should spend more time in Santorini than Arles. 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 Arles. 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 Arles 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.

One day in Santorini or Arles?

In Santorini, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this romantic destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Santorini or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Arles?

Santorini is a fun place to experience. In Santorini, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic town of Arles. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Arles?

In Santorini, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this romantic destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Arles, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Arles much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arles would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arles 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 Arles.

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Arles?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Arles, 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.