Comparison · Rhodes vs Santorini · Greece
Rhodes vs Santorini
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Thomas Berwing, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Rhodes for Medieval Old Town, Knights of St John and lower day-to-day costs; choose Santorini for Caldera views, Oia sunsets, free sights and a short break. Rhodes is generally less expensive, and the two are about 249 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 249 km
- Less expensive
- Rhodes
- Best time for Rhodes
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Santorini
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Rhodes | Santorini | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Greece | Greece |
| Known for | Medieval Old Town, Knights of St John and Lindos Acropolis | Caldera views, Oia sunsets and Blue-domed churches |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$250 | $200–$380 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | August, 32°C (90°F) | July, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 15°C (59°F) | January, 14°C (57°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 4 |
| Beaches | Elli Beach | Kamari |
| Airports | RHO | JTR |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Rhodes for…
Medieval Old Town, Knights of St John and lower day-to-day costs. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands, about 80 km long and closer to the Turkish coast than to Athens. At its northern tip, Rhodes Town wraps around the walled medieval Old Town built by the Knights of St John, with the Palace of the Grand Master…
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Choose Santorini for…
Caldera views, Oia sunsets, free sights and a short break. Santorini is a crescent of volcanic cliffs around a flooded caldera in the southern Cyclades, left by one of the largest eruptions in human history about 3,600 years ago. Whitewashed villages — Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia — line the caldera rim up…
Top sights compared
| # | Rhodes | Santorini |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palace of the Grand Master | Oia village and sunset |
| 2 | Street of the Knights | Fira to Oia caldera hike |
| 3 | Old Town walls and moat | Akrotiri archaeological site |
| 4 | Archaeological Museum of Rhodes | Museum of Prehistoric Thera |
| 5 | Acropolis of Lindos | Fira caldera promenade |
Food compared
| Rhodes | Santorini |
|---|---|
| Pitaroudia | Santorini fava |
| Symi shrimp | Tomato fritters |
| Melekouni | Greek salad with Santorini capers |
| Souma | Grilled octopus and fresh fish |
Which is cheaper?
Rhodes is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $130–$250 per person there, against $200–$380 in Santorini (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Rhodes on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Rhodes and Santorini are about 249 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 7 days in Rhodes and 4 in Santorini.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Rhodes or Santorini cheaper?
Rhodes is usually less expensive: about $130–$250 a day mid-range against $200–$380 (estimates).
+Is Rhodes or Santorini better for a first trip?
Pick Rhodes for Medieval Old Town, Knights of St John and lower day-to-day costs, or Santorini for Caldera views, Oia sunsets, free sights and a short break.
+How far is Rhodes from Santorini?
About 249 km in a straight line.