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

Should you visit Santorini or Lille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Lille, 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 nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Lille

Lille is a under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Santorini and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Lille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Santorini than Lille. Santorini is bigger than Lille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Santorini is better known for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Lille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. Santorini is more touristy than Lille 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. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Santorini different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille 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, Lille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Lille has something for everybody. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

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 Lille Better for Resorts?

Santorini is very popular for its resorts. However, Lille 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.

Lille is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Lille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lille 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.

Lille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Lille Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lille 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.

Lille is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is a great city for its old town. However, Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Lille to see the historical old town. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Lille Better for Hiking?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Lille 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.

Lille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Lille?

Lille 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, Lille draws large crowds to its stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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 Lille Better for Families?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Santorini or Lille Better for Couples?

Santorini is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Lille 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.

Lille is a good island for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Santorini or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Lille 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.

Lille is a good island to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Santorini or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Santorini is not popular with students.

Lille is a great city to visit as a student. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Santorini is not popular with students.

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

Lille is a great city 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 Lille can get you around easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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 Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its ease of walking around.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored 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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santorini and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than in Lille. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

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

One day in Santorini or Lille?

In Santorini, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this historic destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Lille. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lille has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the cultural destination of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Lille?

Santorini is a fun place to experience. In Santorini, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the culinary city of Lille. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Lille?

In Santorini, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this historic destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Lille is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Lille?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Lille, 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.