A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Monaco for Nightlife, Resorts, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Santorini or Monaco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Monaco, 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of Santorini is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santorini travel costs.

Monaco

Monaco is a thrilling, posh, and glitzy coastal resort area. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of Monaco is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Monaco travel costs.

Santorini and Monaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Monaco?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Monaco than Santorini, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Monaco is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Santorini is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Santorini is well known for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. Monaco is well known for its grand hotels, luxurious casinos, opulent malls, and popularity with celebrities. Also, Monaco is famous for Monte Carlo.

How is Santorini different from Monaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santorini is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Santorini has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

Dining out in Monaco is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by both French and Italian cuisines. You'll find many dishes that take advantage of the coastal location, with seafood being very common. The national dish is Barbagiuan, which is a deep-fried pastry that is filled with ricotta cheese, Swiss chard, and other vegetables.

Is Santorini or Monaco Better for Nightlife?

Monaco is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Monaco is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It's where sophistication meets glam, with many luxury nightclubs, cocktail bars, casinos, and even opera houses that you can explore. The city attracts celebrities, wealthy business people, and jetsetters who are looking to socialize, see, and be seen.

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 Monaco Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, terrific resorts can be found in both Santorini and Monaco.

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.

Monaco is a world class resort vacation destination. As the playground for the rich and famous, this city has its share of luxury resorts. Famous hotels include the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, and the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

Is Santorini or Monaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find notable snorkeling or scuba diving in both Santorini and Monaco.

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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Monaco. There are both beaches that offer walk-in snorkeling spots as well as boat tours that you can book that will take you to some of the best snorkeling and dive sights around Monaco.

Is Santorini or Monaco Better for Beaches?

Both Santorini and Monaco have notable 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 Monaco. Located along the French Riviera, the beaches are a mix of pebbles and sand. The only public beach is Plage du Larvotto in Monte Carlo and there are a number of activities available including jet skis and wind-surfing. This is also a very family-friendly beach that kids of all ages can enjoy.

Is Santorini or Monaco Better for its Old Town?

Santorini is very good for its old town. However, Monaco does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Santorini to see the old town. The historic towns of Fira and Oia are the two most popular with visitors, although they have become more built up and less historic over the past few decades. Historical areas are still found within these towns mixed in with restaurants, shops, and hotels set among the beautiful cliff-side views.

Monaco does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Monaco Better for Hiking?

Santorini is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Monaco is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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.

Monaco is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Monaco?

Monaco 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, Monaco draws large crowds to its stores. A visit would not be complete without experiencing the city's shopping. There are couture, luxury brands as well as local boutiques that are frequented by the wealthy and famous. Popular shopping areas include Le Metropole Shopping Center, Fontvieille Shopping Centre, and La Condamine Market.

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 Monaco More Beautiful?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Monaco is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Santorini is one of the main draws. It has striking blue water and contrasting white buildings. It is the place many travelers dream of visiting for its picturesque setting.

With stunning beauty, Monaco attracts visitors from all around. It's located along the French Riviera and it is a captivating area with an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world.

Is Santorini or Monaco Better for Families?

Santorini is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Monaco is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Santorini. 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.

For families, Monaco is not always the best place to visit. The city has a few family-friendly activities like an Oceanography Museum, a Zoological Park, and a harbor where kids can explore. You can also check out the Changing of the Guards in the Old Town. The public beach in town, Plage du Larvotto, is very family-friendly as well.

Is Santorini or Monaco Better for Couples?

Santorini and Monaco are both terrific 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.

Monaco is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Filled with luxury, a couple can enjoy perusing the yachts in the harbor, dining on fine cuisine at an award winning restaurant, or staying at one of the many fancy hotels in town. You can also explore the area by air, by taking a truly spectacular helicopter tour.

Is Santorini or Monaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini is very good for backpackers. However, Monaco is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santorini is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Monaco is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Known for it's luxury accommodation and posh visitors, this coastal area isn't known for its backpacker friendly atmosphere. Most budget travelers skip the glitz and glam of this microstate in order to save a few bucks.

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

Santorini and Monaco 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.

Monaco has a few public transit options. There is a bus system.

Is Santorini or Monaco a more walkable city?

Monaco 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.

Monaco is a very easy coastal resort area to get around on foot. It's small and compact size means that it is easy to explore the entire area on foot in a short amount of time.

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 Monaco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Monaco or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Monaco?

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

Families should spend more time in Santorini than Monaco. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santorini than Monaco 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 Monaco?

Santorini might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 one day exploring.

People visit Monaco because there is so much to do. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Monaco has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Monaco?

Santorini is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

People visit Monaco because there is so much to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal resort area has to offer. This coastal resort area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Monaco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the thrilling coastal resort area of Monaco. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Monaco?

Santorini is a small town with plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Monaco is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Contiki Tours to Greece, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece.

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Monaco?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 590 times larger than the population of Monaco. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Monaco, 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.