A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Como for Food, Couples, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Santorini or Como?

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

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

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Como?

Both Como and Santorini have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Santorini is more popular for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere, while Como is known for its food, hiking, and shopping. Santorini is popular for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. Como is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

How is Santorini different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

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

Como 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, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Como. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Santorini or Como Better for Resorts?

Santorini is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Como 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.

Como is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Como Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Como 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.

Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Como Better for Beaches?

Both Santorini and Como 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 Como. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Is Santorini or Como Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Como for the hiking trails. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

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 Como?

Como is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Como draws large crowds to its stores. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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.

Is Santorini or Como Better for Families?

Como is a great lake area 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, Como is very family-friendly. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

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 Como Better for Couples?

Santorini and Como are both amazing 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.

Como is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

Is Santorini or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is a great lake area for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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

Santorini and Como 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.

Como has a few public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Santorini or Como a more walkable city?

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

Como is a very walkable lake area. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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 Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Santorini or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Santorini due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como 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 Como.

One day in Santorini or Como?

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 food and shopping around the lake area of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Como?

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 fun destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this lake area has to offer. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Como?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the trendy lake area of Como. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Como?

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.

Como is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Como?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Como, 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.