A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Tartu for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Santorini or Tartu?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Tartu, 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 romantic, stunning, and historic island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come to Santorini because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santorini travel costs.

Tartu

Tartu is a student-oriented, cultural, and historical university town. Tartu is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife. See Tartu travel costs.

Santorini and Tartu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Tartu?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santorini than Tartu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Santorini is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Tartu is known for its nightlife and historical sights. Santorini is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. It is also home to The Caldera and Volcano of Santorini. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Santorini different from Tartu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santorini is a island with good options for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santorini is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santorini has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is a great university town for nightlife and partying. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Tartu has something for everybody. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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 Tartu Better for Resorts?

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

Santorini is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Tartu is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a island with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tartu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Tartu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a island with good options for the beach. However, Tartu is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Santorini. 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.

Tartu is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is a great university town for its old town. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors go to Tartu to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

Santorini offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for Hiking?

Santorini is a island with good options for hiking. However, Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Tartu?

Santorini is a great island for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santorini. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Santorini or Tartu More Beautiful?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Santorini because of it's amazing beauty. It has striking blue water and contrasting white buildings. It is the place many travelers dream of visiting for its picturesque setting.

Tartu is a gorgeous place to visit. It's a beautiful city with a long history and a number of unique historical buildings.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for Families?

Santorini and Tartu are both good 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.

Tartu is a family-friendly place to visit. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for Couples?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Santorini is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is a great university town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Santorini is a good island to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Santorini or Tartu Better for Students?

Tartu is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Santorini is not popular with students.

Tartu is a great destination for students. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Santorini is not popular with students.

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

Santorini and Tartu both offer good 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.

Tartu has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Is Santorini or Tartu a more walkable city?

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

Tartu is a very walkable university town. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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 Tartu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tartu or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Tartu?

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

Families should spend more time in Santorini than Tartu. 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 Tartu. 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 Tartu than Santorini 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 Tartu.

One day in Santorini or Tartu?

Even though Santorini is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find nightlife around the university town of Tartu. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tartu has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Tartu?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find nightlife around the student-oriented destination of Tartu. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Tartu?

Santorini is a fun place to experience. Santorini is a small town with plenty to do. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the student-oriented university town of Tartu. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Tartu?

Santorini might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Tartu is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, and The Best Budget Tours to Estonia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Tartu?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Tartu, 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.