A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Tenerife for Nightlife, Resorts, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Santorini or Tenerife?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Tenerife, 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 nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Santorini travel costs.

Tenerife

Tenerife is a adventure-filled, beautiful, and volcanic island. The beauty of Tenerife is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Tenerife travel costs.

Santorini and Tenerife: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Tenerife?

Both Tenerife and Santorini have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Santorini is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Tenerife attracts visitors for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Santorini is famous for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. Tenerife is famous for its volcanic landscapes, built-up resorts, and fun-filled beaches.

How is Santorini different from Tenerife?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tenerife is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Santorini is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Tenerife offers a few options for museum-goers. The island is filled with national parks, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches, but if you're not into outdoor activities, then you won't find many museums or other historical sights to visit.

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

Santorini is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santorini. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Tenerife. Many visitors stick to the major touristy areas, eating in their resorts or other nearby restaurants. If you want to try a bit of the island's authentic Canarian cuisine, you'll need to do a little research. Head into the local areas near the markets for the best chance of finding something a little more authentic. Local dishes often include fish and seafood as well as local meats, but you'll rarely find beef as there isn't a lot of land for cows to graze on the island.

Is Santorini or Tenerife Better for Nightlife?

Tenerife is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Tenerife is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The island has a variety of nightclubs that range in style and personality. There are all night wild beach parties as well as laid back beach clubs and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Many bars have happy hours where you can relax with a drink and many nightclubs host famous DJs that keep the party going into the early morning hours.

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 Tenerife Better for Resorts?

Santorini is very popular for its luxury resorts. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

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.

In Tenerife, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find everything from world-class resorts like the Ritz to more budget-friendly hotels and even some hostels around the island. You'll find most of the resorts on the south side of the island, which is also where you'll find the best weather.

Is Santorini or Tenerife Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tenerife is a great island for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Many visitors go to Tenerife to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. Some of the best snorkeling is in El Puertito, which is known for its many turtles and there is no shortage of organized snorkeling trips to the area. The island also has excellent scuba diving trips with a variety of shipwrecks and marine species.

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.

Is Santorini or Tenerife Better for Beaches?

Tenerife is a great island for the beach. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tenerife. The island has a large number of beaches that attract tourists, particularly during the peak winter months. The island's volcanic nature means that many of its natural beaches have black sand. The golden sand from the more developed beaches typically comes from the Sahara Desert. A favorite beach on the island is the 2 kilometer long Playa de las Teresitas.

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.

Is Santorini or Tenerife Better for its Old Town?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Tenerife 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.

Tenerife does not have a historic old town.

Is Santorini or Tenerife Better for Hiking?

Tenerife is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Known for its hiking, Tenerife draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The island's volcanic landscapes mean that there are dramatic and breathtaking hikes throughout the island. Some of the best hikes are found in the Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, and the Teno Mountains.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Tenerife?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Tenerife 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 Tenerife. The island's low tax rates make it a popular shopping destination for tourists. The are shopping streets, local markets, and luxury malls that you can explore.

Is Santorini or Tenerife More Beautiful?

Santorini is very popular for its scenery and beauty. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and 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.

The beauty of Tenerife is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The island's volcanic scenery makes for a dramatic and beautiful setting.

Is Santorini or Tenerife Better for Families?

Tenerife is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Tenerife is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. The island has many great waterparks for kids, with one of the best being Siam Park. Other family-friendly destinations include Aqualand, Loro Parque, Jungle Park, and Monkey Park. There are whale watching trips, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly beaches as well.

Santorini is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Santorini or Tenerife Better for Couples?

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

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.

Couples visit Tenerife frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The natural beauty, great landscapes, and lively beaches make this a great island for a romantic getaway. There's hiking and outdoor adventures as well as swimming, boat rides, and even whale watching.

Is Santorini or Tenerife Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Tenerife 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.

Tenerife is a good island to visit for backpackers. The island is large enough that there are a decent number of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay for backpackers.

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

Santorini and Tenerife 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.

Tenerife has a few public transit options. The island has a decent bus service that is operated by a company called "TITSA".

Is Santorini or Tenerife a more walkable city?

Santorini and Tenerife 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.

Tenerife is a somewhat walkable island. There are many walks on the island that make for a fun way to explore the setting.

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

Should I spend more time in Tenerife or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Tenerife?

Both Santorini and Tenerife have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Santorini has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santorini than Tenerife. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Santorini or Tenerife?

Santorini is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Tenerife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Tenerife?

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 shopping and nightlife around the scenic destination of Tenerife. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Tenerife?

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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the beautiful island of Tenerife. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Santorini or Tenerife?

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.

Tenerife is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tenerife, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.

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

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