A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Lake Garda for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Santorini or Lake Garda?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Lake Garda, 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 hiking, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a energetic, scenic, and playful lake. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Santorini and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Lake Garda?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santorini than Lake Garda, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santorini is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Lake Garda is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Santorini is more touristy than Lake Garda 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. Lake Garda is well known for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

How is Santorini different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

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

Lake Garda has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

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 Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is a great lake for nightlife and partying. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Lake Garda has something for everybody. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

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 Lake Garda Better for Resorts?

Santorini is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Lake Garda is not a resort destination.

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.

Lake Garda is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Lake Garda Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Lake Garda is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is a great lake 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 Lake Garda. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

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 Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Lake Garda for the hiking trails. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

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 Lake Garda?

Santorini is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Santorini or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an amazing family-friendly lake to visit. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Santorini is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Santorini or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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

Lake Garda is a great lake for times when you don't have a car. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its public transit.

The public transit in Lake Garda can get you around easily. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Santorini has a few public transit options. 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.

Is Santorini or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

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

Lake Garda is a very walkable lake. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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 Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Santorini or Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Santorini or Lake Garda?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the stunning island of Santorini, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the lake of Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Santorini, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the playful destination of Lake Garda. 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 has to offer. This lake offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Lake Garda?

Santorini, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic lake of Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda?

Santorini is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Lake Garda 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Santorini and Lake Garda, 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.