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

Should you visit Santorini or Caen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Caen, 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Santorini is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santorini travel costs.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife. See Caen travel costs.

Santorini and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santorini than Caen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Santorini is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Caen attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Santorini is more touristy than Caen and is known 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. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Santorini different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Caen 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 Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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 Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Santorini and Caen can be an enjoyable experience.

Santorini has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

Dining out in Caen is an experience not to be missed. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for Resorts?

Santorini is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a good destination for its beaches. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Santorini is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

Santorini is a good destination for visiting its old town. 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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for Hiking?

Santorini is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Santorini offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Caen?

Santorini is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santorini. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Santorini or Caen More Beautiful?

Santorini is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Caen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santorini is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It has striking blue water and contrasting white buildings. It is the place many travelers dream of visiting for its picturesque setting.

Caen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for Families?

Santorini and Caen 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.

Caen is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for Couples?

Santorini is renowned for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Santorini or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Caen 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.

Caen is a good island to visit for backpackers. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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

Caen 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 Caen can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout 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 Caen a more walkable city?

Santorini and Caen are nice 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable island. The city center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Santorini Worth Visiting? and Is Caen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Caen or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santorini and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than in Caen. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

Families should spend more time in Santorini than Caen. 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 Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

Santorini is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. 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.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Caen. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Caen?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

Santorini might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the important city of Caen. 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 Caen?

Even though Santorini is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

Caen 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Caen?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Caen, 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.