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

Should you visit Santorini or Saint-Etienne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Saint-Etienne, 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. 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Santorini and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Saint-Etienne?

You'll generally find more things to do in Santorini than Saint-Etienne. Santorini is bigger than Saint-Etienne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Santorini is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known 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. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Santorini different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Santorini and Saint-Etienne.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Santorini or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santorini is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Santorini and Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne Better for Resorts?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Saint-Etienne is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Santorini for its luxury resorts. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a good destination for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Santorini offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Santorini and Saint-Etienne are both places where visitors can find notable hiking trails.

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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Saint-Etienne?

Santorini is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Santorini and Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Santorini is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Santorini and Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Santorini or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Santorini and Saint-Etienne are notable when it comes to walkability.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable island. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Santorini Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santorini or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Santorini than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

Families should spend more time in Santorini than Saint-Etienne. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the romantic destination of Santorini. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find nightlife and museums around the city of Saint-Etienne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the stunning destination of Santorini. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the historic city of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful island of Santorini. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint-Etienne 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 from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Saint-Etienne?

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