Charleston and Savannah are often paired — two coastal cities with shared history, architecture, and a cuisine that defines the Lowcountry. But they're not the same. Charleston is the older sibling: more polished, more crowded, more aware of its own charm. Savannah is the dreamier one: slower, stranger, with a Gothic undertow. Together, they make an ideal trip. Two hours apart by car, they reward a week that splits time between them. This guide covers both — the neighbourhoods, hotels, food, and the experiences that make each city worth visiting.
When to Visit
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the sweet spots. The weather is mild. The gardens are in bloom or turning. The humidity hasn't yet reached its summer peak. Avoid July and August unless you enjoy heat that sticks. December can be lovely — fewer crowds, holiday decorations, and a different kind of magic. The Spoleto Festival in Charleston (late May to early June) draws a cultural crowd; book early if you're planning around it.
Charleston is the older sibling: more polished, more crowded. Savannah is the dreamier one: slower, stranger, with a Gothic undertow.
Charleston: The Historic Peninsula
Charleston's historic district is a compact peninsula of cobblestone streets, pastel houses, and church steeples. The Battery — the southern tip where the Ashley and Cooper rivers meet — is the iconic walk. White Point Garden, the promenade along the water, offers views of Fort Sumter and the harbour. From there, wander north through the South of Broad neighbourhood, where the grandest houses sit behind wrought-iron gates and walled gardens. King Street runs the length of the peninsula — the lower end has antiques and galleries; the upper end has shops and restaurants. The key is to walk. Charleston rewards slow exploration.
The architecture tells a story. Single houses (side-facing with a porch) and double houses (porch on the front) define the streetscape. The colours — pink, yellow, blue, green — were historically significant; certain colours indicated a building's purpose or the owner's trade. Today they're mostly aesthetic, but the effect is striking. The churches — St. Michael's, St. Philip's — anchor the skyline. The market area, though touristy, has history. And the residential streets between the main drags are where Charleston feels most like itself: quiet, shaded, and impossibly photogenic.
Charleston: Beyond the Peninsula
Don't limit yourself to the historic core. Mount Pleasant, across the Cooper River, has a growing food scene and access to the beaches. Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms offer sand and a more relaxed vibe. Folly Beach is the surf town — casual, younger, with a different energy. The plantations — Middleton Place, Magnolia, Boone Hall — are worth a half-day each. They're complicated places, steeped in a history that demands acknowledgment. Go with that in mind.
Savannah: The Squares
Savannah's genius is its plan. James Oglethorpe laid out a grid of squares — 22 of them remain — each with its own character. Oak trees drip Spanish moss. Benches invite sitting. The historic district is walkable in a way that feels almost European. Forsyth Park, at the southern end, is the grand green space — the fountain is iconic. River Street runs along the Savannah River, touristy but worth a stroll. The real Savannah is in the squares and the streets between them. Get lost. The city rewards it.
Savannah: Mood and Mystery
Savannah has a reputation for the supernatural — ghost tours are a cottage industry. Whether you believe or not, the city has a quality that lends itself to stories. The Mercer-Williams House (of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame) is now a museum. The Bonaventure Cemetery, east of the historic district, is hauntingly beautiful. Savannah doesn't perform for tourists the way Charleston sometimes does. It's more itself.
Savannah doesn't perform for tourists the way Charleston sometimes does. It's more itself.
Reservations essential: Charleston's top restaurants book up weeks ahead. Savannah is slightly more relaxed but still benefits from planning. For both cities, reserve dinner at least two weeks in advance for the best spots.
Lowcountry Cuisine
Shrimp and grits. She-crab soup. Hoppin' John. Red rice. The Lowcountry has a cuisine that's distinct from the rest of the South — influenced by the Gullah Geechee culture, the coast, and generations of adaptation. In Charleston, Husk and FIG are the standard-bearers for contemporary Southern. The Ordinary does seafood with style. Leon's Oyster Shop is the casual counterpoint. In Savannah, The Grey (in a converted Greyhound bus station) is a destination. The Olde Pink House offers historic atmosphere. Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room does family-style Southern the old way — line up early. Both cities have a thriving cocktail scene; don't miss the classic Southern drinks done well.
Reservations are essential at the top spots. Charleston's dining scene has exploded; the best restaurants book up weeks ahead. Savannah is slightly more relaxed but still benefits from planning. For a more casual experience, seek out the neighbourhood joints — the places where locals eat. The food is often just as good, the atmosphere is more authentic, and you'll get a different view of the city. And don't skip the biscuits. Or the sweet tea. Or the pimento cheese. These are the staples. Get them right.
Where to Stay in Charleston
Boutique hotels dominate. The Dewberry is the gold standard — a mid-century federal building converted with serious design sensibility. The Spectator offers a more intimate option with a speakeasy bar. The Vendue has rooftop views. For something historic, the Wentworth Mansion is a restored 1886 mansion with period detail. Stay on or near the peninsula — that's where the action is.
Where to Stay in Savannah
The Perry Lane Hotel is the contemporary choice — design-forward, with a rooftop bar and a strong sense of place. The Mansion on Forsyth Park is grand and slightly eccentric. The Hamilton-Turner Inn offers historic charm. For something smaller, the Foley House Inn or the Gastonian put you in the heart of the historic district with personalised service.
Charleston to Savannah: The Drive
The two-hour drive between the cities passes through the Lowcountry — marshes, rivers, and the occasional small town. Stop in Beaufort, South Carolina, if you have time — it's a smaller, quieter version of the same aesthetic. The drive is part of the experience. Don't rush it.
Highway 17 runs along the coast, offering glimpses of the water and the landscape that defines the region. You'll pass through Beaufort, a town worth a stop for its historic district and waterfront. Further south, the road cuts through marshland and forest. The pace is slower than the interstate. Use it. The journey between Charleston and Savannah is as much about the in-between as the destinations. Pack a picnic. Stop at a roadside stand. Let the drive be part of the trip.
History and Complexity
Charleston and Savannah are beautiful. They're also built on histories that demand acknowledgment. The antebellum architecture, the plantation culture, the role of these cities in the slave trade — it's all part of the story. The best way to engage is honestly. Visit the museums and historic sites that tell the full narrative. Take a tour that doesn't romanticise the past. Support Black-owned businesses. The cities are reckoning with their histories; as a visitor, you can be part of that reckoning. It doesn't diminish the beauty. It deepens it.
Practical Tips
Both cities are walkable; bring comfortable shoes. Charleston can feel crowded in peak season; book restaurants in advance. Savannah is more relaxed but still benefits from planning. Neither city is cheap — this is premium Southern travel. The heat in summer is real; hydrate, seek shade, and pace yourself. Consider a combined trip — the two-hour drive between them is easy, and seeing both in one visit gives you a fuller picture of the Lowcountry. And remember: these are living cities with complex histories. Engage with that. It makes the experience richer.