A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Bali for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Santorini or Bali?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Bali, 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 historic, romantic, and stunning island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Bali

Bali is a cultural, stunning, and tropical island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Santorini and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Bali?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bali than Santorini. While Santorini is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Santorini is more popular for its museums and quaint atmosphere. Santorini is well known for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. Bali is well known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang.

How is Santorini different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santorini is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Santorini offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

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 Bali Better for Nightlife?

Bali is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Bali is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

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 Bali Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, terrific resorts can be found in both Santorini and Bali.

Santorini offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Bali is a world class resort vacation destination. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Is Santorini or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for snorkeling and scuba diving.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Is Santorini or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is an unbeatable place for the beache. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the beach.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Santorini. 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.

Is Santorini or Bali Better for Hiking?

Bali is a great island for hiking. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Bali?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Bali both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Santorini is well-known for its shopping. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Is Santorini or Bali Better for Families?

Bali is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bali is very family-friendly. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Santorini is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Santorini or Bali Better for Couples?

Santorini and Bali are both terrific to visit as a couple.

Santorini has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Bali is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Is Santorini or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Bali is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Santorini is a good island to visit for backpackers. 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.

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

Santorini and Bali both offer notable 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.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Santorini or Bali a more walkable city?

Santorini is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

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.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bali or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Bali?

Both Santorini and Bali have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Bali has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bali than Santorini. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 5-7 days is enough time in Bali.

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

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

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

One day in Santorini or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Santorini. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Bali. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Bali?

Santorini is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the stunning destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Santorini. This island offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find nightlife and food around the cultural island of Bali. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Santorini or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic island of Santorini. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bali, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Bali?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Bali, 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.