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

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Should you visit Santorini or Nice?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Nice, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Nice

Nice is a trendy, chic, and glamourous seaside destination. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Nice: 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 food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less walkable
Nice
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Good nightlife
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere


How is Santorini different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nice and Santorini. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Santorini or Nice Better for Food?

Santorini
Nice

Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Nice a bit more than Santorini.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nice is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

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 Nice Better for Nightlife?

Santorini
Nice

For nightlife, head to Nice instead of Santorini.

The nightlife in Nice is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Better for Resorts?

Santorini
Nice

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

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.

Nice is a world class resort vacation destination. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Is Santorini or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini
Nice

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

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 Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Is Santorini or Nice Better for Beaches?

Santorini
Nice

Both Santorini and Nice 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.

The beaches at Nice attract visitors from all over. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.


Is Santorini or Nice Better for Shopping?

Santorini
Nice

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Nice 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

Is Santorini or Nice Better for Families?

Santorini
Nice

Santorini and Nice 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.

Nice is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Santorini or Nice Better for Couples?

Santorini
Nice

Santorini and Nice 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.

Nice is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Is Santorini or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini
Nice

For backpackers, both Santorini and Nice are fairly comparable 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.

Nice is a good island to visit for backpackers. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.


Is Santorini or Nice Better for Public Transit?

Santorini
Nice

Santorini and Nice 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.

Nice offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both buses and trams.

Is Santorini or Nice a more walkable city?

Santorini
Nice

Nice is considered more walkable than Santorini.

Nice is a very easy seaside destination to get around on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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.

Should I spend more time in Nice or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Nice?

In either Santorini or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than Nice because of the overall number of sights and activities.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Santorini is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Nice is 3-5 days.


  • How many days in Santorini or Nice? Ideal Length of Stay
    Santorini 3-7 
    Nice 3-5

One day in Santorini or Nice?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the quaint seaside destination of Nice. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Nice?

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 shopping and nightlife around the trendy destination of Nice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This seaside destination offers a variety of activities to choose from.


Five days in Santorini or Nice?

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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the opulent seaside destination of Nice. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this seaside destination makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this seaside destination has to offer.

A week in Santorini or Nice?

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.

Nice 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, Nice 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 Nice is €105. 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 Nice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini €66
    Nice €47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini €132
    Nice €94
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Nice

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Nice? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Santorini


Hotels in Nice


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santorini Hotel Prices and Nice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini €23
    Nice €20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nice:

  • Private Transfer Nice City or Nice Airport (NCE) to Venice , Italy: $1,369
  • Nice Milan transfer: $1,332
  • Private Transfer Nice City or Nice Airport (NCE) to Bologna , Italy: $1,120
  • Transfer from Les Baux de Provence to Nice Airport: $889
  • Your VIP transfer from Chambery Airport to Avoriaz (Mercedes V-class): $746
  • Private Transfer Nice City or Nice Airport (NCE) to La Ciotat: $435
  • Private Transfer from Nice or Nice Airport (NCE) to Le Castellet: $435
  • Luxury transfer from Nice Airport to Valberg ski resort: $411
  • Nice - to Saint Tropez (French Riviera) Airport Transfers: $375
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer to Monte Carlo from Nice with Lunch: $365
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Villanova D'Albenga International Airport to Nice City - One Way: $320
  • Nice (French Riviera) - to Sanremo (Italy) Airport Transfers: $319

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Nice?

Prices for flights to both Nice 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
    Nice €39

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

Typical Food prices in Nice

Some typical examples of dining costs in Nice are as follows:


  • Slushee
    €2.50
  • Strawberries
    €4.00
  • Loaf of Bread
    €3.20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nice

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nice.

  • Mamaz Social Food Lamb Dinner: $38
  • French dinner with a Mediterranean touch in the heart of Nice: $44
  • Mediterranean Cooking Class & Dinner with View of Nice: $49
  • Nice Food Tour: $50
  • Garden-Fresh Dinner with a View of Nice: $54
  • Provencal cuisine cooking class and meal in Nice: $77
  • Mediterranean fish dinner in Nice: $79
  • Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting: $87
  • Food Tour Specialities Half-day from Nice Small-Group: $95
  • Nice Small Group Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Lunch: $100
  • Small-group French Cooking Experience in Saint-Jeannet: $114
  • Nice Afternoon Walking Food Tour with Dinner: $118

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini €29
    Nice €9.45

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

Tours and Activities in Nice

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nice are as follows:

  • 1-Hour Nice City Private Tour by Vintage Car: $248
  • 100% Nice - Private Premium Tour: $834
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Nice: $210
  • 3-Hour Private Bike Tour of Nice: $56
  • 4-Hour Cannes Private Tour by Classic Car from Nice: $584
  • 4-Hour Nice City Tour: $373
  • 4-Hour Nice City Tour: $373
  • 4-Hour Nice City Tour: $373
  • 5-Hour Evening Tour to Monaco & Monte-Carlo: $467
  • 5-Hour Evening Tour to Monaco & Monte-Carlo: $467
  • 5-Hrs Private Monte-Carlo Night Tour: $467
  • 6-Hour Private French Riviera Tour for Families from Nice: $647

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini €21
    Nice €13

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 Nice

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

  • Nice Bar Crawl and Clubbing: $25
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting in an awesome apartment in the heart of Nice: $62
  • Half-Day Saint Paul de Vence and Wine Tasting Tour from Nice: $74
  • Half-Day Wine Tasting and Saint Paul de Vence Tour from Nice: $81
  • Nice Local Vineyards Small Group Half Day E-Bike Tour with Wine Tasting: $100
  • Full Day Tour of French Riviera Perched Villages and Wine Tasting from St Jeannet: $118
  • Nice Evening Food & Wine Tasting Tour with a Local: $124
  • Grasse, Gourdon, Valbonne and Wine Tasting Full-day from Nice Small-Group Tour: $136
  • Côtes de Provence Wine Tour from Nice: $141
  • Wine tour of Provence vineyards in the hills of Nice: $153
  • Full-day Wine Tour in Bellet & Saint-Paul de Vence from Nice: $156
  • Calanques of Cassis, Aix-en-Provence & Wine tasting Shared Tour from Nice: $180

About these numbers

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

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Santorini vs. Nice Travel Comparison

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