Savannah vs Charleston: Which City Should You Visit?

Savannah and Charleston are two of the top travel destinations in the Southeastern United States…but which should you visit? In this post, we compare them side by side so you can make the best decision for you. Savannah vs Charleston: who will win? Keep reading to find out!

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Key takeaways

Both Savannah and Charleston offer rich Southern charm, historical significance, and are great destinations for foodies.
Key attractions in Savannah include River Street, Forsyth Park, and historical homes, while Charleston offers the City Market, Waterfront Park, and Fort Sumter.
Savannah might be preferable for travelers seeking a smaller city vibe with a haunted history, while Charleston could appeal to those looking for a larger city experience with high-end shopping and longer trips.
In my experience, accommodations in Charleston were more expensive than in Savannah. Both cities offer a range of hotels, inns, and B&Bs.

Pineapple fountain in Charleston and cathedral in Savannah — *Charleston or Savannah? It’s hard to choose! Photos: Plan, Ready, Go.*

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Savannah and Charleston are both wonderful places to visit. They both ooze Southern charm. You really can’t go wrong with either.

Both southern cities are great weekend getaway destinations for couples. And both are awesome destinations for foodies.

So, if you’re struggling to decide between these two great cities I certainly sympathize. Let’s go over the similarities and differences between Charleston and Savannah.

Need help planning your trip to Charleston or Savannah? Check out my travel planning essentials page so you have everything you need.

History

Both Savannah and Charleston are quite old. They’re early American cities full of interesting and rich Southern history.

Much of that history though is…not good.

Savannah history

Savannah was founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, a member of the British Parliament. It was the capital of the British colony of Georgia and then the first state capital.

Slavery was not permitted in Savannah at first, but sadly that didn’t last long.

It would take the American Civil War to return Savannah to its days of freedom. Savannah surrendered to General William Tecumseh Sherman (at the end of his March to the Sea) in 1864.

Savannah is known for its city layout designed by Oglethorpe (the Oglethorpe Plan), which is basically a grid of blocks with small greenspaces (squares) that create a network of walkable neighborhoods.

Historic Savannah square — *Savannah is famous for its 22 squares. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

Charleston history

Charleston, known as the Holy City, was established in 1670 as Charles Town and named for King Charles II. It is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. It became Charleston in 1783.

Unfortunately, Charleston’s early history is dominated by its significant role as a major slave trade port. Supposedly, nearly one-half of all enslaved people brought into the U.S. came through Charleston.

Today Charleston, the largest city in South Carolina, is known for its thriving tourism industry.

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Things to do in Savannah and Charleston

Both Savannah and Charleston are FULL of great things to do. You will not be bored. Here are a few of the most popular things to do in each city.

Popular things to do in Savannah

River Street—This popular street in downtown Savannah is home to shops, dining, and some nice hotels. It runs along (you guessed it) the Savannah River. Find the famous Waving Girl statue at the end of River Street.

Forsyth Park—Forsyth is a beautiful park full of walking paths and recreation spaces. Its famous white fountain is a popular photo spot in Savannah.

Historical homes—One of the best ways to explore Savannah is to tour famous old homes such as writer Flannery O’Connor’s childhood home, the Mercer Williams House (designed by the great-grandfather of songwriter Johnny Mercer and made famous by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), and Green-Meldrim House (General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Civil War headquarters in Savannah).

The Squares—Savannah is well-known for its 22 public greenspaces that form small town squares throughout the Savannah Historic District. Most are named for historic people or events and many include historic monuments or statues.

Outside the Aiken-Rhett House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina — *Learn about what Charleston was like during the antebellum era when you visit a house museum like Aiken-Rhett. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

Top things to do in Charleston

Charleston City Market—considered by many a “must do” on a visit to Charleston, the historic City Market stretches along 4 city blocks.

It showcases artwork and decorative items from local artisans, including sweetgrass baskets that have been made in Charleston for centuries. You can also find typical Charleston souvenirs in the market.

Waterfront Park—beautiful Waterfront Park is a popular spot in Charleston and noted for its famous Pineapple Fountain. You may even find children splashing about there on a warm day.

Historic homes—Like Savannah, Charleston is full of beautiful and historic architecture, and homes of historical significance. Two of the most popular house museums are Aiken-Rhett House (noted for how it’s been preserved and don’t skip the slave quarters) and Nathaniel Russell House.

National parks—If you’re a fan of visiting the National Park Service and historic sites, Charleston is a great place to visit. You’ll find Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Military Park in Charleston.

Charles Pinckney National Historical Site is located in Mount Pleasant just a few miles away. Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is about an hour and a half drive from Charleston.

Breakfast and coffee laid out on a table for two — *Savannah is a haven for foodies. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

Food: Savannah vs Charleston

Now we’re talking!

Both Savannah and Charleston are chock full of wonderful places to eat, from fine dining to quick bites and desserts. In both places, you can eat a great meal with a view of the water.

In Savannah, we had a wonderful dinner at Vic’s on the River.
In Charleston, we enjoy Fleet Landing. Get their hushpuppies!

My personal experience in researching gluten-free dining options in both Savannah and Charleston for Hubby was that I had a much easier time finding restaurants in Savannah that I thought he would enjoy. Your mileage may vary.

If I had to choose one Southern town to go back to just for the food, I would choose Savannah.

Dining I recommend in Savannah:

B. Matthew’s Eatery
Leopold’s Ice Cream (a popular place!)
Fox & Fig (plant-based cuisine)
Vic’s on the River
The Collins Quarter
Back in the Day Bakery (not gluten-free)

Dining I recommend in Charleston/Mount Pleasant:

Vicious Biscuit (great gluten-free options)
Page’s Okra Grill
Fleet Landing (separate gluten-free and vegetarian menus)
Carmella’s Dessert Bar (a perfect place for a sweet treat)

Size and atmosphere

Okay, I realize that all of the criteria so far have been pretty subjective. And trying to compare the feel of two different cities is quite subjective. It’s an intangible that will boil down to what kinds of cities you enjoy visiting.

In my opinion, Charleston feels like a larger city while Savannah, though not a small town, definitely has more of a small-town feel to me.

It might have something to do with all of those town squares creating little neighborhood areas. If so, then the good Mr. Oglethorpe (the founder of Savannah) did his job well.

If you’re a city lover (like me) a visit to Charleston may be your best bet.

Charleston’s King Street is a premier shopping and dining destination in downtown Charleston and the Southeast.

For the record, Savannah’s population is slightly larger than Charleston’s. However, the population of the Charleston metro area is more than twice that of Savannah’s. Charleston is nearly 50% larger in land area than Savannah (156 square miles compared to 108).

Why you might prefer Savannah

Travelers might prefer to visit Savannah if…

They want to visit a “haunted” city. Locals will swear that Savannah is the most haunted city in the United States. The ghost tours are pretty famous.
They’re a fan of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (locals refer to it as just “The Book.”)
They want a travel destination that’s heavy with atmosphere and full of odd and quirky history.
They prefer visiting smaller cities and small towns

Why you might prefer Charleston

A visit to Charleston might be a good fit for you if…

You want to do a trip longer than a weekend
You’re interested in doing more than one day trip outside the city
You’re interested in high-end shopping
You enjoy large cities

Both cities…

Should appeal to foodies
Have plenty to do for those who enjoy historical and cultural travel
Are hot in the summer
Can be expensive…especially hotel rooms in their respective historic districts

Recommended itineraries for Charleston and Savannah

Still unsure about whether you want to visit Savannah or Charleston?

Why choose?! Follow this Charleston and Savannah itinerary and see the best of both worlds.

There are also a lot of great things to do between Savannah and Charleston.

These itinerary posts include a lot more details for each city including recommended activities, where to stay, more specifics on dining options, and general travel tips:

Where to stay in Charleston and Savannah

Hotel rates in Charleston, South Carolina, are marginally higher than in Savannah.

My own experience with looking for hotels in both places was such that we chose to stay outside Charleston, in nearby Mount Pleasant, rather than in the historic area. In Savannah, we stayed right on the riverfront for a reasonable rate (in my opinion).

Both Charleston and Savannah provide a large number of lodging options to choose from, including major brand hotels, boutique inns, and B&Bs. Here are a few of the most popular places to stay in both cities.

Where to stay in Charleston

Andrew Pinckney Inn—boutique hotel with 41 rooms located just a couple of blocks from the Charleston City Market.
The Dewberry—luxurious accommodations bordering Marion Square, near fine dining and shopping on King Street. Use one of the Dewberry Volvo guest cars or try one of the complimentary bicycles.
Budget-friendly Option: Doubletree Mount Pleasant—we enjoyed our stay at this lovely and budget-friendly hotel just a few minutes outside Charleston.

Outside the front entrance of the Doubletree Mount Pleasant outside Charleston in South Carolina — *DoubleTree, Mount Pleasant, South* *Carolina. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go*

Where to stay in Savannah

The Marshall House is one of the most highly rated places to stay in Savannah. Enjoy the location in the heart of Savannah.
The Eliza Thompson House is an inn rich in history that’s situated near Forsyth Park and its well-known fountain.
Marriott Savannah Riverfront is just steps from the famous Waving Girl Statue.
Holiday Inn Express Savannah – Historic District offers comfortable and affordable rooms just steps from historic River Street.

Final thoughts on Charleston vs Savannah

While I prefer Charleston over Savannah (if forced to choose just one of these amazing cities), you can’t go wrong with a visit to either.

Between the two, you’ll never lack great things to see and do or wonderful food to eat. 

Why do I prefer Charleston?

I enjoy large cities
Although I’ve been to Charleston three times, there is still more I want to go back and explore.
I feel like I’ve seen enough of Savannah to satisfy me. (I may need more of that ice cream from Leopold’s though!)

8 Comments

Mark Graves says:

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Both cities are fantastic, call it a tie. But you shoud have included the 3rd gem on the the Southeastern coast, Wilmington, North Carolina in your piece. It’s 230 square block historic district on the Cape Fear River is incredible. Though a little smaller than the other two, there is so much to see and do in the metro area. They also have one of the largest movie production centers in the country in Wilmington. Check it out.

Annie says:

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We’ve Been to both a few times. Still in love with Charleston. Savannah is charming but the history and restaurant scene in Charleston is more to our liking.

1. Darcy Vierow says:
  
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  I really wanted to like the restaurant scene in Charleston as much as I loved Savannah’s. Thanks for reading!
  
Keary D Williams says:

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Savannah has a lot more i felt should have been mentioned that Charleston lacks.
No mention of Plant Riversides District.whoch has been open anout a year now.
SCAD Museums?
Nearby Tybee Island has its own beachy vibe and entertainment district.
I believe Savannah by gets almost 14 million people a year vs 8 million for Charleston. Everyone has a preference but seems Savannah
is getting more attention. Charleston functions in South Carolina more like Atlanta functions on Georgia.

Savannah is figuring out how to grow without damaging its character. Charleston is THE biggest city in SC so i can see how it functions more like a large city than Savannah which up untill recently has resisted too much development but lt it’s exploding in growth

1. Darcy Vierow says:
  
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  Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
  
DKS says:

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We frequent Savannah. We just spent a weekend in Charleston. It was hot!!! But it was fun. Fantastic food and lodging! We stopped in Savannah on the way home to eat at our favorite place Vic’s on the River . They screwed us out of our reservation. After years of being a patron of their establishment we won’t eat there ever again. After being in both cities Savannah is a mini Charleston. Both great places to visit.

1. Darcy Vierow says:
  
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  Oh, I’m so sorry that you had a bad experience on Vic’s on the River. And I agree about Charleston. My husband says that he likes Charleston because it has everything Savannah has plus more.
  
  1. Mr. Scott says:
    
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    Tell your husband Mr. Scott finds his opinion to be without merit😕. Please define “more” and “everything” in respect to his comment.