Is Malta or Santorini cheaper?

Malta is the cheaper of the two: roughly $35–130/day in Malta versus $65–130+/day in Santorini.

When is the best time to visit Malta vs Santorini?

Malta is at its best in April, May, October; Santorini peaks in April–June, September, October.

Is Malta or Santorini better in August?

Santorini is the better of the two in August. Malta has the edge in January, February, December, Santorini in June, July, August, September, and both are at their best in April, May, October.

How long do you need in Malta vs Santorini?

Plan 1–1 weeks for Malta and 1–1 for Santorini.

Should I choose Malta or Santorini?

Pick Malta if you want somewhere cheaper across the board, stronger for history, more urban / city-focused, more off-the-beaten-path. Both deliver on culture, food, so on those either works.

Malta vs Santorini

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

Southern Europe

Malta

A sun-baked limestone island with more history per square mile than almost anywhere.

Best time to visit

January: fine
February: fine
March: fine
April: peak
May: peak
June: fine
July: avoid
August: avoid
September: fine
October: peak
November: fine
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Southern Europe

Santorini

The most photographed view in Greece — a drowned volcano rim of white villages above a blue caldera.

Best time to visit

January: avoid
February: avoid
March: fine
April: peak
May: peak
June: peak
July: fine
August: fine
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: avoid

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Malta and Santorini.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Malta	Santorini
Best time	April, May, October	April–June, September, October
Climate	warm	warm
Budget	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day	Mid-range – Premium · $65–130+/day
Trip length	1–1 wks	1–1 wks
Visa	Schengen area; visa-free for most Western passports (90 days). Verify before travel.	Schengen — visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).
Currency	EUR (€).	EUR (€)
Language	Maltese and English (both official).	Greek; English widely spoken in tourism.
Tap water	Tap water is safe but heavily desalinated; many prefer bottled for taste.	Tap water safe in mainland; bottled on smaller islands.
Safety	Very safe, with low crime across the islands.	Very safe; take care on cliff paths and with ATV rentals.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Malta or Santorini, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Malta if:

You want somewhere cheaper across the board.
You want somewhere stronger for history.
You want somewhere more urban / city-focused.
You want somewhere more off-the-beaten-path.

Choose Santorini if:

You're already drawn to it — its strengths fit your trip.

Both deliver on culture, food — so on those dimensions either works.

Common questions

Is Malta or Santorini cheaper?: Malta is the cheaper of the two: roughly $35–130/day in Malta versus $65–130+/day in Santorini.
When is the best time to visit Malta vs Santorini?: Malta is at its best in April, May, October; Santorini peaks in April–June, September, October.
Is Malta or Santorini better in August?: Santorini is the better of the two in August. Malta has the edge in January, February, December, Santorini in June, July, August, September, and both are at their best in April, May, October.
How long do you need in Malta vs Santorini?: Plan 1–1 weeks for Malta and 1–1 for Santorini.
Should I choose Malta or Santorini?: Pick Malta if you want somewhere cheaper across the board, stronger for history, more urban / city-focused, more off-the-beaten-path. Both deliver on culture, food, so on those either works.