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

Should you visit Santorini or Bergamo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Bergamo, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a beautiful, under-rated, and historical city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Bergamo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Bergamo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Santorini than Bergamo. Santorini is bigger than Bergamo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Santorini is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergamo is more popular for its food and historical sights. Santorini is more touristy than Bergamo and is popular for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. Also, Santorini is famous for The Caldera and Volcano of Santorini. Bergamo is well known for its historical buildings and beautiful squares.

How is Santorini different from Bergamo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Santorini and Bergamo.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergamo. There are historical buildings as well as fascinating museums that are worth checking out. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Colleoni Chapel, the Accademia Carrara, and the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro.

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

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

Bergamo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find traditional restaurants around town that serve the local specialties, many of which have their roots in peasant dishes. The flavors are humble but high quality and the food is fresh and masterfully prepared.

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 Bergamo Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Bergamo. Despite not being high on the itinerary of many travelers, the city has a great nightlife scene that includes many local bars and clubs. You can enjoy a local brew or sip some Italian wine while you enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Bergamo is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bergamo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Santorini has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Bergamo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Bergamo is not a beach destination.

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.

Bergamo is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for its Old Town?

Bergamo is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bergamo. Since the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has become more popular with visitors. Still, you can enjoy the authentic and less touristy vibe of this beautiful city.

Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for Hiking?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergamo is not a hiking destination.

Santorini has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Bergamo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Bergamo?

Santorini is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Santorini is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Bergamo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas around town including shopping malls and shopping streets. You'll find most of the major brands as well as some interesting boutique shops.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for Families?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Bergamo is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Bergamo is not always a place people visit with their families. It's a beautiful city that is filled with history, and for kids there are pedestrian streets to explore and great Italian food. There's also the Museo di Scienze Naturali, which is worth checking out.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for Couples?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Bergamo is a good island for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beautiful architecture and impressive squares. There are also great restaurants and pedestrian streets that are fun to wander through.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Bergamo are notable 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.

Bergamo is a good island to visit for backpackers. While it's not the most popular backpacker city in Italy, it does have a couple of hostels and guesthouses that offer affordable rates and a young vibe.

Is Santorini or Bergamo Better for Students?

Bergamo is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Santorini is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Bergamo. The university attracts international students and the city makes a great base for learning and exploring.

Santorini is not popular with students.

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

Santorini and Bergamo 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.

Bergamo has a few public transit options. There are buses around town as well as two funiculars, one connecting Città Bassa with the Città Alta and the other connecting Città Alta to San Vigilio.

Is Santorini or Bergamo a more walkable city?

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

Bergamo is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

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 Bergamo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergamo or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Bergamo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santorini and Bergamo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than in Bergamo. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bergamo.

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

One day in Santorini or Bergamo?

In Santorini, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bergamo. 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 Bergamo?

In Santorini, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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

Five days in Santorini or Bergamo?

Santorini is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santorini has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Bergamo. 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 Bergamo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. In Santorini, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Bergamo 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 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Santorini and Bergamo, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Bergamo?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bergamo. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Bergamo, 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.