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

Should you visit Santorini or Zaragoza?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Zaragoza, 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a authentic, cultural, and historical city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Zaragoza?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santorini. Although Santorini and Zaragoza are both popular with visitors, Santorini has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santorini is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Zaragoza is known for its museums, food, and historical sights. Santorini is more touristy than Zaragoza and is popular 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. Zaragoza is popular for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Santorini different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

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 Zaragoza? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zaragoza is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Zaragoza has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

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 Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for Resorts?

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

Zaragoza is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

Zaragoza is a great city for its old town. However, Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Zaragoza to see the historical old town. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Santorini does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for Hiking?

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

Zaragoza is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Zaragoza?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Zaragoza both offer plenty of superb 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 Zaragoza. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for Families?

Santorini and Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly place to visit. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Zaragoza makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Zaragoza are good 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.

Zaragoza is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Santorini or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Zaragoza is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Santorini is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Zaragoza. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

Santorini is not popular with students.

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

Zaragoza is a great city 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.

The public transit in Zaragoza can get you around easily. There are buses and trams around the city.

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 Zaragoza a more walkable city?

Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable.

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 Zaragoza Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Zaragoza?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza.

One day in Santorini or Zaragoza?

The beautiful island of Santorini offers museums and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Santorini or Zaragoza?

Santorini is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Zaragoza. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Zaragoza?

Santorini is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santorini, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact city of Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza?

Santorini is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santorini has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

Zaragoza 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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Zaragoza, 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.