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

Should you visit Santorini or Oslo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Oslo, 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 stunning, historic, and romantic island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Oslo

Oslo is a progressive, park-filled, and green city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Santorini and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo. Although Santorini and Oslo are popular destinations, Oslo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oslo is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Santorini attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Santorini is more touristy than Oslo and is popular for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace.

How is Santorini different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oslo is a great city 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 Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch 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 Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Santorini and Oslo 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 Oslo area. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Santorini and Oslo.

If you're looking for night time activities Santorini has a few options to choose from. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Resorts?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for its resorts. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Hiking?

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

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Oslo?

Santorini is notable for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Santorini is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Oslo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Couples?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Oslo are nice 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.

Oslo is a good island to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Santorini or Oslo Better for Students?

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

Oslo is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Santorini is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is an unbeatable place 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.

Visitors in Oslo can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its ease of walking around.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun 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 Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Oslo?

In either Santorini or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than Oslo because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Santorini. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oslo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Oslo. 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.

One day in Santorini or Oslo?

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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Oslo?

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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. 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 Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the historic 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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Santorini or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the stunning 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.

Oslo 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Oslo?

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