Capri vs. Santorini
Jan 11, 2008 | 3:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 612
Capri vs. Santorini
I'm sure you can't completely compare the two, but in terms of if you had to choose one, which would be the one that is more of a can't miss. This is of course asked of people who have been to both or at least one of them. We are going to be over in Riome in late April/early May and wanted to add a few places. I know Capri is closer, but we are going to Istanbul as well I believe, so that part is not as much of an issue. Any insights are welcome and I know we FT-ers are an insightful lot.
Jan 11, 2008 | 3:56 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: California
Programs: UA, AA, DL
Posts: 347
I haven't been to Capri - only to Sorrento which is close. I have been to Santorini though and 4 years later, still reflect on peaceful early mornings sitting by the edge of the caldera in Oia having my morning coffee. Just the memory of those mornings calms me down when I'm feeling stressed out.
There's not a lot to do on Santorini but Oia is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been (and I am well travelled). I'd swim there if it was the only way to get back there. It's expensive but Capri ain't cheap either...
Feel free to PM me if you want more info.
There's not a lot to do on Santorini but Oia is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been (and I am well travelled). I'd swim there if it was the only way to get back there. It's expensive but Capri ain't cheap either...
Feel free to PM me if you want more info.
Jan 11, 2008 | 10:09 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2005
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A second vote for Santorini. I have been to (and loved) both locations, but Santorini is breathtaking.
Late April/Early May is a great time. as it is a little early for the arrival of the hordes of cruise ship people who will inundate the island later in the year.
In case you have not seen this....here is my favorite webcam site.. A view of the Santorini Caldera from the town of Fira. You can see the town of Oia at the end of the cliffs on the right side of the caldera.
Sunrise on the cam is at 9pm (West Coast time), and sunset is about 7 am. Awesome views.
http://www.santorini.net/caldera.html
Late April/Early May is a great time. as it is a little early for the arrival of the hordes of cruise ship people who will inundate the island later in the year.
In case you have not seen this....here is my favorite webcam site.. A view of the Santorini Caldera from the town of Fira. You can see the town of Oia at the end of the cliffs on the right side of the caldera.
Sunrise on the cam is at 9pm (West Coast time), and sunset is about 7 am. Awesome views.
http://www.santorini.net/caldera.html
Jan 11, 2008 | 11:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: California
Programs: UA, AA, DL
Posts: 347
In case you have not seen this....here is my favorite webcam site.. A view of the Santorini Caldera from the town of Fira. You can see the town of Oia at the end of the cliffs on the right side of the caldera.
Sunrise on the cam is at 9pm (West Coast time), and sunset is about 7 am. Awesome views.
http://www.santorini.net/caldera.html
Sunrise on the cam is at 9pm (West Coast time), and sunset is about 7 am. Awesome views.
http://www.santorini.net/caldera.html
Jan 12, 2008 | 6:42 am
#5
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I'm sure you can't completely compare the two, but in terms of if you had to choose one, which would be the one that is more of a can't miss. This is of course asked of people who have been to both or at least one of them. We are going to be over in Riome in late April/early May and wanted to add a few places. I know Capri is closer, but we are going to Istanbul as well I believe, so that part is not as much of an issue. Any insights are welcome and I know we FT-ers are an insightful lot.
Regardless of your decision, start booking a hotel, etc... ASAP. By late April/May both sites are very, very busy.
Jan 12, 2008 | 1:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Plano, Tx
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 102
Have traveled to both locations. While Italy is my favorite place in the world, I would pick Santorini over Capri. Go check out the ruins that they are excavating on the island. They are fascinating,
Jan 12, 2008 | 1:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Posts: 291
you will want to do both eventually. i think capri is better if you want a scene, while santorini is a bit more subdued. both are absolutely stunning though. we have stayed in oia on santorini and in anacapri in capri and can highly recommend both locations.
Jan 12, 2008 | 10:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
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Posts: 1,742
Both are exquisite and have much to offer. However, how much total time have you allocated for the trip? Santorini will take a LOT more time to get to/from than Capri. If all you are contemplating is a weekend, then you might well find Capri the better choice.
Regardless of your decision, start booking a hotel, etc... ASAP. By late April/May both sites are very, very busy.
Regardless of your decision, start booking a hotel, etc... ASAP. By late April/May both sites are very, very busy.
But, between Easter week and mid-June is the best time to visit the Greek islands. Everything is very quiet, crowds are light, and Greek hotels are more than willing negotiate on price.
I was in Oia two years ago in June, and the town was busy with cruise ship travelers.
But, the hotels were very quiet. I stumbled upon a wonderful little hostel in Oia, and I was the only resident in the entire hostel for three nights.
Jan 12, 2008 | 11:34 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 612
We are going to be gone a few weeks during the entire vacation and want to have both busy city (Rome, Istanbul) and also a more peaceful location to add in there which is why we were deciding between Capri and Santorini. We did this two years ago with Berlin during World Cup (crazy and fantastic) and Lake Como (relaxing and lovely). I find that sort of tandem to bring a good balance.
Thanks for the insights, looks like Santorini is in the lead so far. I've also heard that Capri is a bit more sophisticated for lack of a better word and Santorini is a bit more rustic, also for lack of a more fully appropriate word, but the views from each are stunning.
Thanks for the insights, looks like Santorini is in the lead so far. I've also heard that Capri is a bit more sophisticated for lack of a better word and Santorini is a bit more rustic, also for lack of a more fully appropriate word, but the views from each are stunning.
Jan 15, 2008 | 2:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Jan 15, 2008 | 2:11 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2006
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I was just in Santorini on Dec. 29 - 31 and I can say that it is truly stunning. I would check the big cruise schedules if possible and avoid that but in the spring you should still be fine. I haven't been to Capri, so I can't advocate Santorini over that, but we really did love it and wish we'd had more time there. It does look just like the postcards. We stayed in Oia at Alexander's and it was very nice, right on the cliffs, great views and a lovely breakfast served at our leisure every morning by the kind and efficient Assia. It was a great experience.
Jan 21, 2008 | 9:08 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Santorini by far! Although, true that it's harder to get to & takes more time and true that Capri is more 'sophisticated.' Also much more expensive & I admit, have only been there on a day trip, but it was very crowded & not very relaxing.
You've gotten good advice about staying in Oia and be sure and rent 'Summer Lovers' before you go!
You've gotten good advice about staying in Oia and be sure and rent 'Summer Lovers' before you go!
Jan 22, 2008 | 9:26 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sydney, Aus
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I have been to Santorini and loved it. The place is fantastic. I hired a car for the week and spent time all over the island and I could not recommend it highly enough. The food, the sunsets and the people are fantastic.
I am going back to Santorini in July and Capri in August so I will be able to do a comparison for you then
I am going back to Santorini in July and Capri in August so I will be able to do a comparison for you then