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

Should you visit Santorini or Linz?

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

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

Linz

Linz is a beautiful, cultural, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Santorini and Linz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Linz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Santorini than Linz. Santorini is bigger than Linz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Santorini is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Linz is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Santorini is more touristy than Linz 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. Linz is well known for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries.

How is Santorini different from Linz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Linz is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Linz can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Santorini and Linz can be an enjoyable experience.

Santorini has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Linz area. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for Nightlife?

Santorini is a island with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for Resorts?

Santorini is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Linz is not a resort destination.

Santorini is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Linz is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a island with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Linz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Santorini. 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.

Linz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a island with good options for the beache. However, Linz is not a beach destination.

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.

Linz is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for its Old Town?

Linz is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Linz. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for Hiking?

Santorini is a island with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Linz is not a hiking destination.

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.

Linz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Linz?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Linz both offer plenty of high quality 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 Linz. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for Families?

Santorini and Linz are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Santorini offers lots of family activities. 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.

Linz is a family-friendly place to visit. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for Couples?

Santorini is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Santorini is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Linz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

Is Santorini or Linz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Linz 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.

Linz is a good island to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

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

Santorini and Linz 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.

Linz has a few public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Is Santorini or Linz a more walkable city?

Linz is a great 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.

Linz is a very walkable town. The tourist areas are easy to explore 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 Linz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Linz or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Linz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santorini or Linz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Santorini than Linz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 1-2 days is enough time in Linz.

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

One day in Santorini or Linz?

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 shopping and museums around the town of Linz. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Linz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Linz?

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 museums and food around the cultural destination of Linz. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Linz?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning 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 food and shopping when visiting the beautiful town of Linz. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Linz?

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.

Linz is a popular choice for travelers. 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 in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Linz?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Linz. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Linz, 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.