Savannah vs Charleston: Which Coastal Southern City is Better?

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Are you stuck between Savannah vs Charleston for your next getaway? After all, both of these southern coastal cities are romantic and provide plenty of southern hospitality. With only two hours between both cities and both offering plenty of charm, delectable cuisine, and a nearby airport, the choice seems impossible!

Don’t worry – I am here to help by providing my own personal insight into what differentiates these two lovely cities. In an ideal world, you’d be able to visit both places at once since they are only two hours apart. However, I know that this is the real world and you don’t necessarily have that option.

It is for that reason that I’ve written the below article to help you make your choice. What follows is a rundown of the key differences between Savannah vs Charleston in the most important categories. We’ll be covering historical sights, day trips options, the best restaurants, and practical logistical stuff too. I guarantee you’ll have your choice figured out by the end!

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Savannah vs Charleston: Which Should You Visit?

Let’s start with a quick look at some similarities between Savannah and Charleston:

Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of the differences between Charleston vs Savannah to determine our winner. I’ll also let you know which city is my personal favorite, but not until the end!

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Savannah vs Charleston: The Basics

Neither Savannah nor Charleston are giant metropolises like New York or Chicago. In fact, they both have compact downtowns that are easily walkable, albeit with slightly different layouts and historical backgrounds.

Savannah:

Savannah is Georgia’s fifth largest city, having a population of 147,780. The land area of the city is 107 square miles. You will likely experience lower prices in Savannah than Charleston due to an overall lower standard of living.

Being the first city in America’s last colony, Savannah was founded by General James Oglethorpe in 1733. Savannah grew to be a major port city, exporting crops like cotton and rice. Although slavery was initially outlawed in Georgia, it was legalized in 1750 and became a giant part of Savannah’s economy.

Today, Savannah is still iconic for its twenty-two squares, which date back to this planned city’s original 18th century design. You will undoubtedly pass through some of them while wandering under the live oaks and magnolia trees of Savannah’s historic district. Chippewa Square even served as the set for the famous bus stop scenes in the movie Forrest Gump.

Charleston:

Charleston is South Carolina’s largest city, having a population of 150,227. The land area of the city is approximately 115 square miles. The standard of living is higher in Charleston than in Savannah, with prices being about 8% higher per salary.com.

Charleston was established on the peninsula between the Cooper and Ashley rivers around 1680 under King Charles II, and aptly named Charles Town. Due to its favorably located seaport, the city became a major trade center for commodities like rice, indigo, cotton, and sadly, enslaved people. By the mid-1750’s, Charleston was the main commercial hub of the south and the fourth largest city in the colonies.

Today, Charleston is dubbed “The Holy City” due to its varied places of worship, which is a testament to the city’s history of religious tolerance. Thousands of visitors flock here every year to stroll past pastel-colored facades to the Waterfront Park, which looks out to Fort Sumter.

Winner: It’s a tie!

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Attractions

Both Savannah and Charleston are full of fascinating historical sites, romantic lanes, and interesting tours. However, each city offers experiences with unique stories to tell.  

Savannah:

There is so much more to discover beyond Savannah’s twenty-two gorgeous squares. A visit will show you why General Sherman spared this city on his destructive march to the sea, famously offering it to Abraham Lincoln as a Christmas gift.

Pretty as she is, Savannah is notoriously haunted with many ghostly sightings reported at establishments throughout the city. Helping fuel these legends is the fact that Savannah is “the city built upon its dead”. That’s right – unmarked graves lie beneath hotels, squares, sidewalks, and restaurants throughout the city.

Here are Savannah’s must-do’s, from romantic to spooky:

• Take a ghost tour (purchase tickets here)
• Visit the Fountain at Forsyth Park
• Tour the Owens-Thomas House or Andrew Low House
• Walk down picturesque Jones Street
• Tour Congregation Mickve Israel, site of America’s third oldest Jewish congregation and a 15th century Torah

Charleston:

Charleston was one of America’s earliest colonial settlements and seemingly every building has a story to tell. The very structures we see today from the Old Exchange to the Powder Magazine have seen wars, powerful hurricanes, devasting fires, and a destructive earthquake.

There are ghost stories in Charleston too, although the spooky vibes don’t seem to permeate the city quite like they do in Savannah. That said, it’s a wonderful place for a pub crawl (haunted or not), and the highly reputed culinary scene begs you to do a food tour.

Here are Charleston’s must-do’s:

• Stroll through the Waterfront Park and take a photo by the pineapple fountain
• Tour the Old Exchange
• Tour the Heyward-Washington House or Aiken-Rhett House Museum
• Visit chic boutiques and antique shops on King Street
• View the colorful facades of the Rainbow Row on E Bay Street

Winner: It’s a tie!

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Beaches

Both Savannah and Charleston are located in the vicinity of pretty sandy beaches. If you’re craving some time by the sea, below I’ll list the best options within an hour’s drive of each city.

Savannah:

Here are the best beaches near Savannah:

• Tybee Island (30 minutes): South Beach, Mid Beach, North Beach
• Hilton Head (1 hour): Coligny Beach, Driessen Beach (Bradley Beach)

Charleston:

Charleston is driving distance from an excellent selection of beaches, including:

• Isle of Palms Beach (30 minutes)
• Folly Beach (20 minutes)
• Sullivan’s Island Beach (20 minutes)
• Kiawah Island (45 minutes): West Beach
• Seabrook Island Beach (50 minutes)

Winner: Charleston

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Day Trips

If you plan to stay for more than two days, I recommend exploring beyond downtown Charleston and Savannah. Besides the gorgeous beaches I just mentioned, below are the most popular day trips from each city.

Savannah:

A day trip from Savannah allows you to visit one of the most beautiful cemeteries in America, see the ruins of Georgia’s oldest structure, or learn military history.

If you seek a plantation visit, you’ll find a lot more options in Charleston. Wormsloe is the main one close to Savannah, but the main house is private and slavery is hardly discussed.

• Bonaventure Cemetery: Tour this graveyard to hear legends of those who rest here and see the ornate monuments.
• Wormsloe Plantation: Drive the incredible oak avenue leading up to the property and discover the ruins of an old tabby house, or Georgia’s oldest structure.
• Fort Pulaski: Built to protect the Port of Savannah, this fort saw the most action during the American Civil War. $10 entrance fee (free for youth 15 and under)
• Beaufort, SC: This charming historic town is the perfect escape to unwind and sightsee in a quaint little downtown. Reach Beaufort in just a one-hour drive from Savannah.

Charleston:

How would you like to see one of the “oldest living things in America” or where the Civil War officially began? These are just a few pieces of history that survive around Charleston today.

Charleston also has more plantations in its vicinity than Savannah that are available to tour. A visit will give you the complete picture of Charleston’s accumulation of wealth on the backs of enslaved people. Any of the below options are good to visit, but McLeod is the sleeper that provides the rawest historical account (some visitors struggle with this).

• Various plantations (McLeod, Drayton Hall, Middleton Place, Magnolia, Boone Hall)
• Fort Sumter: Take the ferry to learn about the site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired (purchase your tickets here).
• Angel Oak: See the thick twisted limbs of a giant live oak that is at least 400 years old.
• Beaufort, SC also makes a lovely day trip from Charleston. However, the drive is a little longer at an hour and a half.

Winner: Charleston

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Food in Savannah vs Charleston

You can find awesome Southern cooking in both Savannah and Charleston, from down-home to high end.  In fact, the popular restaurant Husk even has a location in both cities! However, one of these cities has a more robust culinary scene than the other…

Savannah:

In Savannah, you can expect to find traditional southern dishes, like fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese. That said, you’ll find plenty of modern joints too like chic cafes and vegan dining.

• Old Pink House: Top choice for fine dining in Savannah for an elegant Southern meal in an 18th century mansion. Reservations are a must!
• Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room: A line gathers daily outside of this Jones Street restaurant for a daily lunch served at community tables-for-ten. This classic restaurant has won two out of the city’s five James Beard awards.
• Collins Quarter: Trendy brunch location for brunch or dinner
• Leopold’s Ice Cream: A Broughton Street institution since 1919
• Treylor Park: Serves creative bar food and craft beer with a youthful energy
• Fox & Fig: Come here for nourishing vegan fare

Charleston:

Charleston has a high profile culinary scene, with ten James Beard awards having been bestowed to chefs and restaurants around this city. Don’t worry, you’ll find traditional southern cooking here too, but you’ll also find chic, sophisticated, and creative twists on classic staples like corn bread and oysters.

• Magnolia’s: Serves modern takes on southern staples in an elegant environment
• FIG: This James Beard Award-winning restaurant offers inventive, fresh takes on southern food with an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients
• Poogan’s Porch: Traditional feel in an old house with your favorite heavy southern comfort foods
• Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit: Grab & go spot on King Street or excuse to visit the City Market for amazingly flaky biscuits, oftentimes made into a sandwich
• The Obstinate Daughter: One of my personal favorite restaurants from all my Charleston trips combined.  Worth driving out to Sullivan’s Island for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch.
• Circa 1886: Romantic fine dining at the magical Wentworth Mansion

Winner: Charleston

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Nightlife

Both Charleston and Savannah offer vibrant nightlife scenes, attracting bachelor/bachelorette parties and other friend groups for various occasions.  Although you can’t really go wrong with either one, Savannah does hold an advantage.

Savannah:

Here’s some fun news! It is totally legal to wander within the boundaries of Savannah’s historic district carrying a beer or cocktail in a plastic cup. Just keep within the bounds of the riverfront, West Boundary Street, East Broad Street, and Jones Street.

There are various bars, clubs, and live music venues all over the city and even pub tours to join. Here are a few excellent choices to check out:

• Peregrin Rooftop Lounge
• Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar
• The Bamboo Room Tiki Bar (right above Sorry Charlie’s)
• City Market (several venues for bar hopping)

Charleston:

Sadly, Charleston does not allow the same liberties with portable cocktails as Savannah does. However, that doesn’t mean that people in the Holy City never drink the holy water, if you know what I mean…

Charleston also has its fair share of pub tours to join. Plus this happening city hosts bachelorette and bachelor parties all the time, so there are plenty of cool local establishments to check out. Here is a sampling:

• Rooftop at the Vendue
• Blind Tiger Pub
• The Griffon
• Big John’s Tavern

Winner: Savannah

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Convenience

Both Savannah and Charleston offer similar conveniences for visitors, starting with the fact that they both are located near an airport and major US highways. Even though we are being super nitpicky at this point, let’s look at how their available amenities stack up.

Note: Both cities are horribly expensive for parking. Don’t bring a car unless you really need one.

Savannah: 

• Getting Around: Savannah’s historic district is completely walkable and a car is not needed unless you are taking day trips. Driving within Savannah is a little tricky with all the squares and one way streets, but it doesn’t take very long to get out of the city. Uber and Lyft operate in Savannah as well.
• Groceries: There is a Kroger just two blocks from Forsyth Park and several other convenience stores around the historic district. You will also find Walgreens on Broughton Street and CVS on Bull Street.
• Shopping: Broughton Street is Savannah’s main shopping district with local boutiques and chain shops selling gifts, upscale clothing, and home goods. A stop into The Paris Market for unique vintage finds is a must!
• Crowdedness: Savannah is not as big of a city as Charleston and has a bit less hustle and bustle.  However, that’s a different story around St. Patrick’s Day! Otherwise, Savannah’s high seasons are in spring and fall, so be sure to book restaurants and tours in advance during those times.

Charleston:

• Getting Around: Charleston’s airport is bigger than Savannah’s and offers more flight options. From there, you can easily take an Uber or Lyft into the very walkable downtown. Driving in Charleston is pretty easy, although you might find more traffic getting into the city than with Savannah. Having a car in Charleston is completely unnecessary unless you are day tripping beyond the city limits.
• Groceries: There is a Harris Teeter on E Bay Street and a Target on King Street. Little convenience stores are available all over Charleston too. King Street is also where you can find both a CVS and a Walgreens.
• Shopping: Although there are shops all over Charleston, King Street is where you’ll find the bulk of them.  You’ll find a mixture of high-end local boutiques and well-known chains ranging from mid-range to luxury.  You can also browse through a cluster of art galleries in the area between King, Queen, and Broad streets.
• Crowdedness:  Similarly to Savannah, Charleston’s high seasons tend to be in spring and fall. This is when many events are held, like the Spoleto Festival, and the weather is at its best for strolling. Book reservations for restaurants like FIG or Husk the minute they are available!

Winner: Charleston

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Infrastructure

This last section covers logistical items to consider before you make your final decision on whether you’ll visit Charleston or Savannah.

Savannah:

• Public Transportation: Chatham Area Transit (CAT) provides bus services throughout the city and its surrounding areas ($1.50 one-way), as well as the 100x Airport Express shuttle ($5 one-way or $8 roundtrip). Another service, DOT, can shuttle you between 18 stops around downtown Savannah free of charge. DOT also operates the Savannah Belles Ferry that connects downtown Savannah with Hutchinson Island via modern vessels with an old-timey look.
• High Speed Internet: Widespread availability of high speed internet throughout the city. You should not have much trouble finding a connection, and I do not recall encountering any problems during any of my stays in Savannah.
• Health Care: The top hospitals in Savannah are Memorial Health University Medical Center and St. Joseph/Candler Hospital. Smaller clinics are located all around Savannah, including AppleCare Urgent Care and ExperCare Urgent Care.

Charleston:

• Public Transportation:  Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) offers sixteen bus routes around Charleston and its neighboring islands ($2 one-way, $3.50 on express routes, cash only (use exact change)). CARTA also provides a free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) that circles three popular routes within the Historic District and lower peninsular. Travel from Charleston International Airport into downtown Charleston by bus on Line 11. Certain hotels may also offer their own shuttles.
• High Speed Internet: High speed internet is widely available in Charleston, and you should have next to no trouble finding a connection.  I did have a weaker signal on remote parts of folly beach, but I was generally still able to use the internet.  Sometimes plantations and trails in state parks can also have slow connections.
• Health Care: Charleston’s main hospital is the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), which has repeatedly been named the top hospital in the state. Access Healthcare is the best urgent care option in downtown Charleston, although there is also the CVS MinuteClinic.

Winner: It’s a tie!

Savannah vs Charleston: Who’s the Overall Winner?

Per this assessment, Charleston has a bit of an edge over Savannah. This is due to the city being a bit more developed than Savannah with more urban sprawl, but also beaches, sightseeing, and notable restaurants.

However, sometimes you have to ignore conventional wisdom and simply go with your heart, as I do with my St. Thomas vs. St. John comparison. If Savannah is ultimately calling your name, then that is where you should go!

Now it’s time for me to reveal my personal favorite between Savannah vs Charleston. Honestly, Charleston has been one of my favorite cities for a long time, but staying on Savannah’s gorgeous Jones Street has helped narrow the gap. Charleston continues to be my preference for now due to its abundance of pink houses, palmetto-lined lanes illuminated by lantern light, and gorgeous waterfront.

Also Read: The Perfect 3 Days in Charleston Itinerary

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Suggested Stays

Now that you’ve made your choice between Savannah vs Charleston, it’s time to decide where to stay. Below are some of the most popular hotel options in both cities, and I’ve personally stayed in all but one of them:

Savannah:

• Marshall House: Former Civil War hospital turned trendy boutique hotel on Broughton Street, or Savannah’s main shopping street. Read about my stay here.
• Eliza Thompson House: Has an enviable location on picturesque Jones Street, and just around the corner from Forsyth Park.
• Hamilton-Turner Inn: Having been voted Best Romantic Hotel over and over again in USA Today, a stay here is perfect for a couple’s weekend.

Charleston:

• Indigo Inn: An affordable an comfortable hotel with a charming courtyard just steps away from the Charleston City market and FIG.
• Hotel Emeline: Classy hotel with vintage travel vibes. Has a wonderful coffee shop as well as a fashionable shop selling hats, bags, and other accessories.
• The Vendue: Fun and colorful hotel with its own signature art gallery and rooftop bar. My favorite part is its location is right next to Charleston’s stunning waterfront park.

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You’ve reached the end and hopefully you’ve reached your decision between Charleston vs Savannah. Chances are that one of these cities is tugging at you a little more than the other. No matter which one you choose, you’ll end up exploring one of the most iconic cities in the American south.

Which of these swoonworthy southern cities will you be traveling to?