A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Finale Ligure for Resorts, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Santorini or Finale Ligure?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Finale Ligure, 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 stunning, historic, and romantic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Finale Ligure

Finale Ligure is a scenic, historic, and relaxing area. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches.

Santorini and Finale Ligure: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Not as many resort options


Is there more to do in Santorini or Finale Ligure?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santorini. Although Santorini and Finale Ligure are popular destinations, Santorini has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santorini is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Finale Ligure attracts visitors for its food, beaches, and hiking. Santorini is more touristy than Finale Ligure and is popular for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. It is also well known for The Caldera and Volcano of Santorini. Finale Ligure is famous for its sandy beaches and great food.

How is Santorini different from Finale Ligure?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santorini
Finale Ligure

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

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 Finale Ligure. The natural beauty is the main attraction to this part of Liguria, but there are also medieval towns such as Finalborgo and historic places such as Castel Gavone.


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

Santorini
Finale Ligure

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

Finale Ligure has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Seafood, local flavors, and even a couple of Michelin starred restaurants make this area a foodie's paradise. The dishes are rich in flavors and fine dining is common throughout the area.

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 Finale Ligure Better for Nightlife?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Santorini is a popular place for nightlife. However, Finale Ligure is a area with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Santorini has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

Finale Ligure doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. This beautiful coastline is filled with fine dining restaurants and some nice wine and cocktail bars. It's not known for its party scene, but there are some nice places to spend the evening.

Is Santorini or Finale Ligure Better for Resorts?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Santorini is terrific for its resorts. Also, Finale Ligure is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury 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.

With a selection of resorts, Finale Ligure makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find a mix of smaller local hotels, many with pools, along the coastline. There are also a number of apartments to choose from.


Is Santorini or Finale Ligure Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Santorini is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Finale Ligure 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.

Finale Ligure is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Finale Ligure Better for Beaches?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Finale Ligure is a great area 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 Finale Ligure. This stretch of coastline has the longest sandy beaches in Liguria. You'll also find dramatic cliffs and beautiful views.

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 Finale Ligure Better for Hiking?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

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

Many visitors go to Finale Ligure for the hiking trails. There are many walking and trekking trails along the coast and through the hills. You'll pass medieval towns and beautiful viewpoints that let you experience the Ligurian coastline in all of its beauty.

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 Finale Ligure?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Santorini is a great destination for shopping. Also, Finale Ligure is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Santorini is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Finale Ligure. You'll find clothing boutiques, food specialty stores, and places to pick up anything that you may have forgotten.

Is Santorini or Finale Ligure Better for Families?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Finale Ligure is a great 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, Finale Ligure is very family-friendly. This section of the Italian Riviera has the longest sandy beach in Liguria. There are also places where kids can swim and just relax from sightseeing and travel.

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 Finale Ligure Better for Couples?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Santorini is terrific for romance. Also, Finale Ligure is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Finale Ligure is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. With its sandy beaches and seaside cliffs, this area makes a great romantic getaway. Italian food on the Italian Riviera - what could be more romantic.


Is Santorini or Finale Ligure Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

For backpackers, both Santorini and Finale Ligure are nice 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.

Finale Ligure is a good island to visit for backpackers. While there aren't a lot of hostels, there are a few reasonably priced guesthouses to choose from.

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

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Santorini and Finale Ligure both offer nice 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.

Finale Ligure has a few public transit options. There are both trains and buses through the area.

Is Santorini or Finale Ligure a more walkable city?

Santorini
Finale Ligure

Santorini and Finale Ligure are nice when it comes to walkability.

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.

Finale Ligure is a somewhat walkable island. There are many walking routes throughout this stretch of coastline.


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

Should I spend more time in Finale Ligure or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Finale Ligure?

It's fun to spend time in either Santorini or Finale Ligure. 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 Finale Ligure.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Finale Ligure. 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.


  • How many days in Santorini or Finale Ligure? Ideal Length of Stay
    Santorini 3-7 
    Finale Ligure 2-4

One day in Santorini or Finale Ligure?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the romantic destination of Santorini. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 area of Finale Ligure. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Finale Ligure?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums and food around the scenic destination of Finale Ligure. 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 area has to offer. This area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Finale Ligure?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the historic destination of Santorini. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic area of Finale Ligure. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Santorini or Finale Ligure?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful island of Santorini. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Finale Ligure is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Finale Ligure or Santorini?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Finale Ligure is €143. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santorini and Finale Ligure in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 93
    Finale Ligure 74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 186
    Finale Ligure 148
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Finale Ligure

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Finale Ligure? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Santorini


Hotels in Finale Ligure


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santorini Hotel Prices and Finale Ligure Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 28
    Finale Ligure 56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Santorini Airport JTR or Port to Santorini by Minibus: $46
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Santorini Airport JTR to Santorini by Sedan Car: $23
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer in Santorini: $15
  • Blue Dome And Oia Sunset Small Group Transfer: $38
  • Blue Dome and Oia Sunset Small Group Transfer: $39
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorni to Santorini Airport JTR or Port by Sprinter: $46
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Airport: $18
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Port: $33
  • Economy Departure Transfers To Santorini Airport: $15
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $3,800
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Santorini Port To All Destinations: $110
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Santorini Airport: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Finale Ligure?

Prices for flights to both Finale Ligure and Santorini change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santorini 48
    Finale Ligure 34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Live Virtual Cooking Class: $25
  • Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini: $55
  • Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $71
  • Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $71
  • Virtual Private Cooking Class Live from Santorini: $72
  • Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $81
  • Santorini Caldera Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine: $88
  • Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $92
  • Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $98
  • Santorini Volcano Sunset Cruise Including Dinner on Board: $109
  • Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $121
  • Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $122

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini 36
    Finale Ligure 28

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Akrotiri Archaeological Site Entry Ticket: $8.58
  • Megalochori: Lost Atlantis 9D Experience Museum Entry Ticket: $15
  • Oia Sunset Daily Tour: $17
  • Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $28
  • The Beer Tasting and Pairing Experience: $28
  • Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit: $28
  • Kayak Rental Adventure in Watersports Santorini: $33
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $33
  • The Beer And The History semi private Experience: $39
  • Mesa Gonia, Pyrgos and Oia Tour: $45
  • Ferry Ticket to Paros or Naxos with Hotel Pickup: $46
  • Discover Best Of Santorini with Locals Small Group Half Day Tour : $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini 26
    Finale Ligure 6.99

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $61
  • Top Sights of Santorini with Wine Tasting and Sunset in Oia: $61
  • Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $70
  • Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $76
  • Santorini 4-Hour Private Tour including Wine Tasting, Shore Excursion: $105
  • Santorini 4 Hour Private Oia Tour & Wine Tasting : $106
  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira: $110
  • Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $119
  • Santorini Wine Adventure in 3 Wineries with Wine Tastings, Sunset: $133
  • Wine Adventure in 3 Wineries and 12 Wine Tastings: $157
  • Three Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings: $163
  • Wine Tasting Tour & Sunset Viewing: $163


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

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


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Finale Ligure?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Finale Ligure. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Finale Ligure, 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.