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

Should you visit Santorini or Toulon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Toulon, 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Toulon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santorini than Toulon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Santorini is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Toulon attracts visitors for its historical sights. Santorini is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. It is also well known for The Caldera and Volcano of Santorini. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Santorini different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Santorini and Toulon.

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 Toulon. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Santorini and Toulon 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 Toulon area. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for Resorts?

Santorini is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Toulon is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Santorini is a perfect choice. 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.

Toulon is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its diving and snorkeling.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Both Santorini and Toulon have nice 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Toulon. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its old town. However, Santorini does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for Hiking?

Santorini is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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.

Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Toulon?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Toulon both offer plenty of excellent 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 Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for Families?

Santorini and Toulon are both nice 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly place to visit. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for Couples?

Santorini is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Santorini 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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Santorini or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Toulon 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.

Toulon is a good island to visit for backpackers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Santorini and Toulon both offer nice 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.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Santorini or Toulon a more walkable city?

Toulon is a great port 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.

Toulon is a very walkable port city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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 Toulon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Toulon?

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

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Toulon. 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 Toulon?

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.

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

A weekend in Santorini or Toulon?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Toulon. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Toulon?

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 industrial port city of Toulon. 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 Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning 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.

Toulon 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Toulon?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Toulon, 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.