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

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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. The famous beauty of this place 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.

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 this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

How is Santorini different from Monaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Santorini or Monaco better for Food?

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Monaco. 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?

For nightlife, head to Monaco instead of Santorini.

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.

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.

Is Santorini or Monaco better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, 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.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Monaco is a perfect choice. 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 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 worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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 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.

Many people head to Monaco to enjoy the beach. 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 Shopping?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Monaco both offer plenty of 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.

The abundance of shops in Monaco make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Is Santorini or Monaco better for Families?

Santorini and Monaco are both fun 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.

Monaco doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. 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 fun 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.

For those traveling as a couple, Monaco 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 Public Transit?

Santorini and Monaco both offer 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.

You'll find some public transit in Monaco, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system.


Is Santorini or Monaco a more walkable city?

Monaco is considered more walkable than Santorini.

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 place. Many towns on the island are walkable, including Fira, but the actual island is too large to explore on foot.

Santorini and Monaco: Pros and Cons

Santorini
Pros
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Cons
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less walkable
Monaco
Pros
  • Good nightlife
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty
Cons
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers


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 Monaco.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Santorini is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Monaco is 1-3 days.


  • How many days in Santorini or Monaco? Ideal Length of Stay
    Santorini 3-7 
    Monaco 1-3

One day in Santorini or Monaco?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Santorini. 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?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the romantic destination of Santorini. 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.

Which city is cheaper, Monaco or Santorini?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €131, while the average daily cost in Monaco is €148. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santorini and Monaco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini €66
    Monaco €94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini €132
    Monaco €188

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini €23
    Monaco €14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $2,839
  • Oia Sunset: Evening Shuttle Transfer and Free Time: $23
  • Premium Santorini Private Day Tour Lagoon 450, BBQ, drinks, transfer: $933
  • Santorini Airport Hotels Transfer Shuttle Bus Service: $27
  • Santorini Airport to Hotel: Private Arrival Transfer: $45
  • Santorini Taxi Service & Airport, Hotel and Port Transfers: $62
  • Santorini transfer service: $17
  • Private Airport Transfer: $25
  • Private Transfer to/from Santorini Airport (JTR): $50
  • Shared Transfer Service: $17
  • Tour of Caldera on Sailing Boat & Bus Transfer:Volcano-Hot springs-Thirassia-Oia: $75
  • Transfer from Santorini Airport&Port all destination except OIA up to 4 customer: $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Monaco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Monaco:

  • Private transfer: Monaco Airport (MCM) to Monaco: $622
  • Between Monaco and Nice: Single Helicopter Transfer: $199
  • Monaco Private Transfer from Monaco-Ville to Nice Airport: $174
  • Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Car: $157
  • Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $124
  • Departure Private Transfers from Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $118
  • Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $108
  • Departure Private Transfers from Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE: $98
  • Monaco Transfer: Monaco Cruise Port to Nice Airport: $80
  • Private Departure Transfer from Monaco Hotels to Nice Airport: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Monaco?

Prices for flights to both Monaco 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 €38
    Monaco €43

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: $26
  • A taste of Mediterranean Cuisine Dinner: $90
  • Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $90
  • Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $108
  • Sunset Sea Kayak and Snorkel with Dinner: $108
  • Santorini : Sunset Sea Kayak & Snorkel with Dinner: $118
  • Santorini : Cooking Class, Easy Hike, and Snorkeling: $131
  • Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $506
  • Full-Day Royalty Private Cooking Class and Tour in Santorini: $506
  • Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $546
  • Santorini Private Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner, Drinks &Transfer included: $1,350

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini €29
    Monaco €18

Tours and Activities in Santorini

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

  • Akrotiri Prehistoric City Audio Tour: $18
  • Unique Oia's Sunset Tour in Santorini: $30
  • Royalty Unique Oia’s Sunset Tour in Santorini: $31
  • Santorini-Unique Oia’s Sunset Tour: $31
  • Island Bus Tour: The Majestic Spots Of Santorini: $43
  • Santorini Volcano and Thirassia Islands Tour: $43
  • Oia and Fira Evening Small Group Tour: $45
  • 3 Hour Santorini Walking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $50
  • Volcanic Sunset Cruise: $58
  • Santorini Traditional Villages and Oia Sunset Tour: $62
  • Santorini-Classic Tour in Traditional Villages: $67
  • Santorini-Classic Tour in Traditional Villages: $71

Typical Entertainment prices in Monaco

Here are a few typical costs in Monaco for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Grand Prix for Two
    €101

Tours and Activities in Monaco

Here are a few actual costs in Monaco for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3 hours Deluxe Sightdriving tour: $926
  • 30 Minute Ferrari California T Sports Car Experience from Monaco: $290
  • Beautiful Nice only for you sightseeing from Monaco: $648
  • Cannes, Antibes and Nice Private Tour from Monaco: $750
  • Cities of artists in Provence sightseeing tour from Monaco: $778
  • Double Supercar Driving Experience from Monaco: $1,004
  • French Riviera Private Half-Day Tour: $363
  • French Riviera Sunset Boat Cruise: $859
  • French Riviera Tour: $1,021
  • French Riviera: 2-Hour Private Boat Cruise: $837
  • From Cannes: Monaco Small Group Night Tour: $96
  • From Nice: 1-Day Tour Côte d'Azur Extraordinary Houses: $735

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini €21
    Monaco €21

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

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

  • 4-Hours Santorini Vothonas Village Tour with Wine Tasting: $89
  • Authentic Santorinian Tour at Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Half-Day Santorini Tour Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Αround Megalochori Village: $111
  • Sunset and Wine Tasting Tour by Electric Bike: $114
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $117
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $124
  • Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $134
  • Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $140
  • Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with Pick Up: $141
  • Santorini Wine Tasting and History Small Group Tour: $153
  • 4-Hour Sunset Wine Tour: $159

Sample the Local Flavors in Monaco

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

  • Authentic Wine Tasting Experience: $48
  • Monaco Shore Excursion: Private Tour of Nice and Eze with Wine Tasting: $657
  • Private St-Jeannet, St-Paul-de-Vence, and Wine Tour from Monaco: $843

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Santorini and Monaco, we can see that Monaco 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.

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Santorini vs. Monaco Travel Comparison

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