After visiting both cities several times, and after falling in love with the south over the course of a lifetime, I know that choosing whether to visit Charleston or Savannah is no easy task. Both cities have plenty to offer visitors—starting with ample helpings of Lowcountry cooking and plenty of that classic southern hospitality—and given their similarities, especially as generally described online, it can be difficult to tease out the differences between them before you arrive.
Make no mistake, though: for two cities that sound so similar on paper, Savannah and Charleston actually feel quite different from each other on the ground. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail. While both Charleston and Savannah are celebrated as being walkable cities—and they absolutely are, by US standards—Charleston is simply walkable in the sense that, yes, it is safe to walk around.
Savannah is walkable in the sense that it is so lovely, and so beautifully laid out its historic center maintains most of its 18th century city planning, complete with 22 town squares , that walking becomes the undisputed best way to get around—and walking through the city is a tourist attraction in its own right.
Life moves slowly in Savannah, and as you get swept up in the pace of the city, it is incredibly relaxing to slow yourself down along with it. From beautiful Forsyth Park to the 22 beautiful town squares that all act as mini-parks in their own right, Savannah is packed with beautiful green spaces to explore. While Savannah certainly has its share of international chains as well, and Charleston has some lovely boutiques, the balance weighs more heavily toward chain stores on King Street.
If Savannah feels like a city masquerading as a small town, Charleston feels plainly like a city: life is more fast-paced slightly, anyway—this is still the south, after all , the streets feel busier, and the vibe is simply much different.
With over 30 craft breweries, craft beer lovers will find plenty of varieties to taste while in Charleston. Both cities have an incredible selection of Lowcountry restaurants to choose from, across all price points, and when it comes to eating great southern food, you absolutely cannot go wrong with either place. With long, fascinating histories and a culture that lends itself to legend and storytelling, Charleston and Savannah are both havens for incredible ghost stories—and whether you believe in ghosts or not, the melding of fact, legend, and intrigue makes ghost tours a fantastic way to explore either Savannah or Charleston.
While you can conceivably day trip to one from the other, if your schedule can swing it, and an even better option would be to spend full days in each. While I love both Charleston and Savannah and plan to continue returning to both cities indefinitely, Savannah will always have a bigger piece of my heart. My heart skips a beat every time I step into Savannah, and I feel that Charleston, as lovely as it is, cannot beat the magical atmosphere and ethereal beauty of Savannah.
Thank you for this wonderful review! There are also lots of parks in and around the city. The James Island County Park is coastal but encompasses around acres both by the beach and inland. For stunning historical gardens, visit Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place. The cypress swamp at Cypress Gardens is my absolute favorite area of natural beauty around Charleston because if its extreme serenity and stunning nature as you rowboat through the trees.
Check out the best nature spots around Charleston here! We constantly felt like we were surrounded by nature just by walking around its tree-filled squares. But if you want to see some stunning Georgian natural beauty, there are plenty of places in easy reach of the city. Forsyth Park is very close to the historic district and spans over 30 acres, with lovely scenery and plenty of live oak trees!
To experience a slower pace of life even slower than laid-back Savannah! This beach has a pier and a beautiful historic lighthouse. Charleston definitely takes the crown when it comes to beaches since they are closer and easier to access! However, as long as you are prepared to travel, there are equally stunning beaches in Savannah. How does food compare between Charleston and Savannah? Both Charleston and Savannah serve up coastal low country cuisine as their specialty.
In the Charleston vs Savannah food debate, Charleston is probably the winner! Many restaurants all over town do exquisite fried chicken too. There are so many fantastic restaurants in Charleston; it would take us days to list them all! For starters, head to The Grey. This opened in a disused Greyhound bus station — how cool is that? Nowadays, it serves up Southern dishes with a modern twist and plenty of mouthwatering cocktails! For more sweets, stop into River Street Sweets along the river.
Savannah also has a huge variety of cocktail bars, making it a good place to sample different drinks. If your kids are interested in dinosaurs, make sure you go to the Natural History Gallery! This dynamic attraction has so many fish, sea turtles, and sharks to see, as well as a Lego Alive display. For something historical that is accessible for kids, consider going to the Fort Sumter National Monument.
And, if your kid loves trucks, boats, or planes, you could take them to either the North Charleston Fire Museum or Patriots Point, which has a huge display of historic warships and aircraft.
If you want a vacation where your kids can learn something, you can enjoy some culture, and you can all relax on the beach, Charleston is a great option.
As a safe, quiet, and laid-back city, Savannah is also great for families. If you are in Savannah for a long vacation, you could spend some time in the city and the rest enjoying epic Georgian beaches and other Southern nature spots. There is a lot for families in both cities. Charleston has a higher crime rate than the US average and relatively speaking, North Charleston is considered a dangerous area.
Savannah is largely a safe city, and nearly all visits are trouble-free. However, there are some things to bear in mind. The historic district is generally considered to be safe, but some neighborhoods have higher crime rates, and Savannah does have a higher crime rate than the US average. The crime rates are relatively high in both cities, but most tourists who visit both Savannah and Charleston have a completely trouble-free visit.
Both have an extensive history, beaches nearby, and plantations to visit though Charleston has more beaches and more plantations. Savannah is smaller and more relaxed; Charleston is bigger and busier. If you found this post helpful, please share it to Pinterest! You can use either image below for easy pinning!
It was rainy for most of our Savannah trip, but we tried to capture as much as possible on the days that the sun came out! I love both cities so much, and I hope that was portrayed here! I have to vote for Savannah! Not only do they have quality Cheap hotels in Savannah GA, but they have so many sights to see and stuff to do! This is a great overview and very helpful! But to get a fuller sense of the city and to explore the hip Upper King Design District or the nearby beaches and islands, transport is necessary.
Taxis and Uber operate in Charleston, so it's not necessary to rent a car. The ultra-cool Perry Lane Hotel has been one of the hottest spots in Savannah since it opened in It caters to an upscale, hip crowd with its swanky rooftop pool and bar.
Equally fashionable and more affordable is the Andaz Savannah , which is centrally located, across the street from the happening Ellis Square. Top 6 day trips from Savannah. You might also like: Offbeat boozing: 8 of the best cities for bar crawls Savannah for newcomers Best US destinations for winter sun.
Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage. Charleston vs Savannah: how to choose between the two Southern cities. Jay Gentile. Savannah for architecture, Charleston for attractions and history. Exploring Savannah on foot.
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