CHARLESTON VS SAVANNAH

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SAVANNAH – I generally recommend spending about three days in Savannah. You’ll be able to pack a lot in two days but an additional day gives you plenty of time to visit Tybee Island and sightsee outside of town. While Savannah is relatively small, it’s chock full of history and site seeing. From strolling along Savannah’s riverfront to shopping on Broughton Street you’ll want plenty of time in town. If you’re spending more time in the area, I recommend visiting Hilton Head SC, or nearby islands like Jekyll Island and Cumberland Island.

CHARLESTON – Similar to Savannah, I recommend setting aside at least two days to explore Charleston however, three days is ideal. The city is small but there is so much sightseeing to do in town from King Street and the beautiful churches in town to nearby plantations. You’ll also want plenty of time to shop and enjoy the food scene. A third day will give you time to explore local beaches or Kiawah Island. If you’re spending longer in South Carolina, add Beaufort Sc and Hilton Head SC to your travel itinerary. They’re some of the best destinations in the south.

Travel Tip – Since Savannah and Charleston are only two hours apart, you can also combine these cities onto one trip!

SAVANNAH & CHARLESTON – The best time to visit both Charleston and Savannah is in the Spring and Fall. The weather is pretty similar in both cities so won’t make much of a difference when deciding Charleston vs Savannah. The South is known for brutal heat during the summer so I recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons. The weather will be absolutely perfect for sightseeing! If you’re just planning to sightsee, winter is generally reliable in the South however, there is no guarantee! With that said, if you’re planning to visit local beaches I would visit between (late) April – June or September – October. Summers also tend to be busy in both destinations so the shoulder season is a great time to visit.

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Unfortunately, accommodation tends to be expensive in both Charleston SC and Savannah GA since they’re popular destinations. With that said, I have a few tips that should help!

SAVANNAH – You’ll find pretty much everything in Savannah from popular hotels to airbnbs. We stayed along the Riverfront on our most recent trip which was excellent. It was a quick walk to pretty much everything we wanted to see in town. While it’s convenient, it’s also expensive. You can also stay on Tybee Island if you want to spend a few days enjoying the beach. I’ve had good luck with airbnb on Tybee Island.

Savannah Hotel Recommendation –

• Riverfront – Homewood Suites by Hilton (expensive)

CHARLESTON – Charleston hotels offer everything from popular hotel chains to airbnbs and small boutique hotels. Staying downtown Charleston is ideal but pricey especially if you’re visiting peak season. If you’re you’re looking for something more price conscious, I recommend looking in the Mount Pleasant area. Depending on where you book it takes 10-20 minutes to reach downtown Charleston. The area is beautiful as it’s close to the beach with restaurants making it a great option.

Charleston Hotel Recommendations –

• Downtown – Homewood Suites by Hilton (expensive)
• Mount Pleasant – The Hyatt House or Tru by Hilton (~20 minutes driving, less expensive)

The best thing to do in both Savannah and Charleston is simply wander the streets! With that said, I suggest booking a tour to learn a little more about the history and visit key spots in town. Carriage rides are popular in both cities as they’re informative and a great way to see the town. We’ve taken a walking tour in both cities and they’ve been excellent. If you’re looking for something a little different, both cities offer a ghost tour. We preferred the ghost tour in Savannah but it all comes down to the guide!

Savannah –

• Walking Tour
• Ghost Tour
  
• Hop on Hop off Trolley Tour
• Carriage Ride

Charleston –

• Carriage Ride
• Walking Tour
• Ghost Tour

SAVANNAH – With a few days in town, you’ll want to set aside ample time for the City Market, River Street, and Broughton Street. The City Market has been considered the heart of Savannah since the mid 1700s. People used to go to the City Market for groceries and other goods however now restaurants and shops fill the street. From the City Market you can take a quick walk to both Broughton Street and River Street. Aside from these streets you’ll want to visit a few of the beautiful parks and churches in town. My favorite church in town is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Forsyth Park and the Mansion on Forsyth Park are also a must see which are about 2o minutes walking from the City Market. One of the best places to visit outside of town is the Wormhole Historic Site which is about 20 minutes driving.

CHARLESTON – Similar to Savannah, there are several streets you cannot miss on a quick trip to Charleston including King Street and Market Street. Established in 1807, the Historic Charleston City Market first opened as a place for people to buy groceries but is now known for souvenirs, artwork, woven baskets, and more. There are also a number of gorgeous churches along these streets in Charleston so you’ll quickly realize why it’s nicknamed the Holy City. From there, walk toward the water to see the Joe Wiley Waterfront and Battery Park which are both beautiful places to visit in town. One of the most recognizable sites in Charleston is located between these two areas which is Rainbow Row or the row of colorful houses. Outside of the city, one of the best things to do in Charleston is visit one of the nearby plantations such as Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Middleton Palace, and Boone Hall.

Read More – Charleston Itinerary – 48 Hour Guide

SAVANNAH – At less than 30 minutes from Savannah, Tybee Island is the most popular beach destination near Savannah. The island is home to several beautiful beaches with a beautiful coastline and small downtown. Hilton Head South Carolina is another popular beach destination in the area since it’s about an hour from Savannah. The beach is absolutely beautiful however, it’s busy during the summer months.

CHARLESTON – Charleston is an excellent destination if you want to spend time at the beach. If you’re planning to spend a day at the beach, I recommend spending at least 3 days in Charleston. Alternatively, you can spend a few nights in Charleston and continue on to the beach.

There are several excellent beaches within 20 minutes of downtown Charleston including Folly Beach and Sullivans Island. However, the best beaches are a little further including Kiawah Island, Isle of Palms, and Edisto Beach. Kiawah Island is one of the most well-known beaches in the area. The secluded island is known for pristine stretches of sand which is perfect for a relaxing day at the beach.

SAVANNAH – It’s hard to compare Charleston vs Savannah food-wise as both are considered foodie destinations. Savannah is known for traditional Southern Cuisine as well as seafood. As such, a few of the most popular dishes in town include Frogmore Stew, fried catfish, she-crab soup, as well as traditional BBQ staples. As far as sweets go, Savannah is known for peach cobbler, pecan pie, and pralines. I loved the food and atmosphere at Collins Quarter and Treylor Park but a few other popular restaurants include Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room and the Grey. Paula Deen’s restaurant has mediocre reviews but Max and I enjoyed it! The hearty dishes are served family style so go there with an appetite.

Looking for coffee in Savannah? Read more: Top Coffee Shops in Savannah

CHARLESTON – While both Savannah and Charleston are foodie destinations, Charleston is often referred to as the “food capital of the South”. The city’s food scene is a mix of Southern, European, and Caribbean influences as well as traditional Low Country Dishes. As far as dessert goes, the city has a thriving pastry scene with several bakeries specializing in Southern desserts and pastries. Popular desserts include benne wafers, pecan pie, and hummingbird cake. My favorite restaurant in Charleston was Husk however, there are several restaurants worth a visit including 5 Church, FIG, and the Ordinary. One of my favorite things about Charleston is many of the top restaurants are located in historic homes and structures offering such a unique atmosphere.

Honestly, Savannah and Charleston are two of the most beautiful cities in the USA with both offering such a rich history. Since Charleston is a little older (established 1670) the city is filled to the brim with history. Savannah was established shortly after in 1733 so there is still quite a bit of history in the city.

While I absolutely love both Savannah and Charleston, I personally prefer Charleston. I just love the atmosphere in the city. With that said, I love how Savannah was built on a grid with 22 parks scattered throughout the city. It makes the city feel so peaceful as most of the parks are adjacent to historic homes or churches.

I hope this article helps you compare Charleston vs Savannah to help decide which city is right for you- or maybe it will inspire you to visit both cities! Both are so unique from one another yet so similar. You really can’t go wrong when deciding between the colorful streets or Charleston or Spanish Moss trees covering the streets of Savannah.

Headed to the South Carolina, read more –

• Best things to do in Hilton Head
• Beaufort SC in 48 Hours

Safe Travels :)

Sarah

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