A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel, 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of Santorini is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Santorini travel costs.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a inspiring, iconic, and religious island. Many visitors also come to Mont-Saint-Michel because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food. See Mont-Saint-Michel travel costs.

Santorini and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santorini than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santorini is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums and attractions. Santorini is well 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. Mont-Saint-Michel is well known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base.

How is Santorini different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Mont-Saint-Michel are world-renowned. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santorini is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Santorini. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Santorini is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Santorini has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Resorts?

Santorini is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a resort destination.

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

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

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Santorini is very good for the beach. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Santorini to enjoy the beach. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Santorini is very good for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Santorini to see the 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Santorini and Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. There's a 4.2 mile (6.5k) out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santorini is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Santorini is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel More Beautiful?

Santorini and Mont-Saint-Michel are somewhat similar when it comes to the terrific scenery.

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.

You'll find world class beauty in Mont-Saint-Michel as well. It's a beautiful but touristy destination on a tidal island in Normandy. The highlight is the dramatic abbey that has attracted tourists and visitors for centuries.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Santorini is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Santorini. 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Santorini and Mont-Saint-Michel are both terrific to visit as a couple.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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

For backpackers, both Santorini and Mont-Saint-Michel are notable 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good island to visit for backpackers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

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

Santorini and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a few public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its ease of walking around.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very easy island to get around on foot. Not only is the walk through the town and castle stunning, there are also many beautiful walks in the natural areas nearby.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Families should spend more time in Santorini than Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Even though Santorini is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

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

A weekend in Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santorini is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums and food around the iconic destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santorini is a small town with plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the breathtaking island of Mont-Saint-Michel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santorini is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Mont-Saint-Michel 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 7500 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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.