A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Biarritz for Resorts, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Santorini or Biarritz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Biarritz, 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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a cultural, relaxing, and quirky seaside town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Biarritz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santorini than Biarritz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santorini is better known for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Biarritz is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and small town charm. Santorini is more touristy than Biarritz and is known 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. Biarritz is well known for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere.

How is Santorini different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santorini is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its 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.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

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

Biarritz is a great seaside 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.

Biarritz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

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 Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Biarritz has something for everybody. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

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 Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Santorini is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

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.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Biarritz. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Is Santorini or Biarritz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for the beache. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Biarritz. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

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 Biarritz Better for Hiking?

Santorini is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Biarritz?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Biarritz both offer plenty of very good 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 Biarritz. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Is Santorini or Biarritz Better for Families?

Biarritz is a great seaside town 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, Biarritz is very family-friendly. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

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 Biarritz Better for Couples?

Santorini is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Couples visit Biarritz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

Is Santorini or Biarritz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Biarritz. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

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 Biarritz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santorini and Biarritz 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.

Biarritz has a few public transit options. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is Santorini or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Biarritz is a great seaside 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.

Biarritz is a very walkable seaside town. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

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 Biarritz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Biarritz?

Both Santorini and Biarritz have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Biarritz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Biarritz than Santorini. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Biarritz. 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 Biarritz 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 Biarritz.

One day in Santorini or Biarritz?

The beautiful island of Santorini offers museums and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the seaside town of Biarritz. 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 Biarritz?

Santorini is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the cultural destination of Biarritz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Biarritz?

Santorini is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santorini, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Santorini or Biarritz?

Santorini is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santorini has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

Biarritz 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 Biarritz, 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 France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Biarritz?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Biarritz, 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.