Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA are two of the most iconic and charming cities in the American South. They have a lot in common—Both are some of the oldest but best preserved cities in America, they have incredible historic districts, cobblestone streets, and coastal vibes—but after visiting both and making a full video of my trip there, here are some key differences that I noticed between them:
1. City Layout
- Savannah: Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe and is one of the first planned cities in the U.S. Oglethorpe designed it using a unique grid system layout, which is based around squares—each ward had a central public square, surrounded by homes and public buildings. Today, 22 of the original 24 squares remain, making Savannah famous for its walkable, historic charm and making it feel open and green. The layout encourages strolling and has a European feel with its tree-lined boulevards.
- Charleston: Charleston, South Carolina, founded in 1670, grew more organically than Savannah. Its layout was influenced by English colonial planning but adapted to local geography. The city was built around a grid pattern in the historic downtown, with streets centered around civic buildings, churches, and a marketplace. The design prioritized trade, defense, and access to the port, rather than strict symmetry. More compact with a peninsula layout. Its historic district is densely packed and walkable, but streets are narrower and traffic can be pretty bad.
Overall, considering the historic squares of Savannah, filled with beautiful live oak trees and Spanish moss, I prefer the city layout of Savannah.
2. Architecture
Charleston and Savannah both feature historic and charming architecture. But even though these cities are only 63 years apart from their founding, each city has its own very distinctive style.
- Charleston: Known for “Charleston Single Houses,” pastel colors, wrought-iron balconies, and grand antebellum mansions. A lot of 18th-century colonial influences, and a stunning blend of Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian styles, with a strong emphasis on antebellum grandeur. The city is known for its elegant mansions, porches, and wrought iron balconies, particularly in its historic districts. It also has a kind of famous, historic strip of colored homes called “Rainbow Row”. Also, many incredible historic churches, and various other historic buildings and homes that reflect its rich history, with a focus on ornate details and gracious design, create a charming and visually dynamic urban landscape.
- Savannah: Features Federal, Gothic Revival, and Victorian architecture. More of a preserved, “untouched” feel in some areas. Savannah’s architecture is rooted in colonial and early American styles, with its symmetrical facades, brick townhouses, and large windows reflecting a more elegant and simple design compared to other cities.
Overall: Savannah’s architecture feels more restrained and symmetrical, while Charleston’s offers more visual variety and ornamentation, especially in its antebellum mansions and the buildings on Broad Street. Thus, in my opinion, Charleston tops Savannah, and most cities, when it comes to architecture!
3. Vibe & Atmosphere
- Charleston: Polished, upscale, and somewhat formal. It leans more toward refinement with high-end restaurants, luxury shopping, and a more traditional Southern charm. It’s also, at least when we were there, probably the cleanest large city we’ve ever been to by far, and it seemed to have far fewer homeless people and crime compared to Savannah and compared to the average large city.
- Savannah: More laid-back and artsy. It’s got a haunted, gothic flair with lots of hidden gardens, old cemeteries, and a reputation for being a little more eccentric. It’s also, one of, if not, the most haunted city in America, where that’s not necessarily the case for Charleston.
4. Cultural Scene
- Charleston: Strong culinary scene with nationally known chefs, Spoleto Festival USA (a big performing arts event), and deep colonial/Revolutionary War history.
- Savannah: Home to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), giving it a strong artsy, youthful vibe. More Civil War history, and famous for its haunted lore. And if you’re in to that…
5. Water Access
- Charleston: Surrounded by rivers and the Atlantic, with easy access to beaches like Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island. Furthermore, it’s on the Charleston Harbor, which shows Castle Pinckney which is built on an island, originally in 1797. You can also walk alongside the harbor on East Battery Street!
- Savannah: Located on the Savannah River, alongside is the famous River Street, with a blend of historic and modern buildings. Also, the very lovely Savannah Riverwalk. Also about 20 minutes from downtown is the beach at Tybee Island.
So both are roughly the same distance to the beach, However, Savannah has a longer Riverwalk that’s also alongside one of its most famous strips. So I’ll probably give Savannah the edge with this.
6. Tourism & Crowds
- Charleston: A major tourist destination with high-end hotels, cruise ships, and national attention. More polished tourism.
- Savannah: Popular too. Attracts a different kind of tourist—more into ghost tours, art, and history.
Not too much of a noticeable difference when I was there. But Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration is one of the largest and most famous in the United States. The city’s festive atmosphere, combined with its rich Irish heritage, makes it a must-see event each year, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world.
7. Historic Trees
This is a random one, but both cities have iconic oak trees. and both are worth a visit.
Charleston: The Angel Oak in Charleston, around 400-500 years old, is an ancient Southern Live Oak located in Angel Oak Park just outside of downtown. As of now, the most beautiful, majestic tree I’ve ever seen in my life, and absolutely free to see.. It’s historically significant for its connection to Gullah culture and African American heritage, and is a symbol of resilience and history.
Savannah: The Candler Oak in Savannah, about 300-350 years old, is located in Forsyth Park. It’s named after Asa Candler of Coca-Cola fame and is tied to Savannah’s early 20th-century elite history. The tree is a key feature of the park and represents the city’s beauty and history. It’s nice to stop by, but nothing like Charleston’s Angel Oak!
8. Hiking Trails
Charleston: One of the best places to hike in Charleston for outdoor lovers is the Audubon Swamp near Magnolia Plantation. Many Alligators, wildlife all over, this swamp actually inspired Shreks swamp. When we were here, it was the closest feeling to being in Jurassic Park.
Savannah: The best hiking trail near Savannah, in my opinion, is Big Ferry Loop. Not only is this coastal hike in a maritime forest considered one of Georgia’s top ten hikes in the state, but also has 3 neat landmarks of American history. the observation tower where the historic road leading to the Savannah ferry was located, historic moonshine stills from the prohibition era, and civil war earthworks.
Both Trails are really good in their own way, I give it a tie. It depends on your preference.
9. Neat History
- Charleston: When I was there, it definitely gave off the Revolutionary War type vibe. Along with many homes and buildings built at that time that are still standing, they even filmed a scene of the movie The Patriot in downtown. A few cool history facts, St. Michael’s Church, St. Philip’s Church, and the Heyward Washington house all hosted George Washington. Also, this building here at the end of Broad Street, The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, is one of Charleston’s most significant and historically rich buildings. It played a central role in the city’s colonial and early American history. But below was the dungeon where the British took control of Charleston in 1780, and it was used to house captured American soldiers and other prisoners of war. Also, the powder magazine built in 1713 was used to store gun powder through the Revolutionary War, and it’s the oldest building in the city. It also has Fort Moultrie and the nearby infamous Fort Sumter.
- Savannah: Unlike Charleston, Savannah was designed to be a buffer between Spanish Florida and the other British colonies. A lot of the history is based on the Civil War, where the Marshall house, where we stayed at, used to be a hospital for wounded soldiers, furthermore, they also say that’s why the hotel is haunted. But we loved staying there. There are also all sorts of places with interesting and mysterious history, which is why many places in Savannah are claimed to be haunted. But Jones Street Historic District is a beautiful historic residential street. Also, the Pirates’ house, which is now a restaurant, used to be a place where pirates gathered, and some were forced against their will into a dungeon to serve on the sea. Furthermore, it is also connected to the oldest still-standing house in Georgia, the Tullis-Toledo House. Also, it has what is widely considered to be the oldest continuous Black church in America.
Overall, both cities are great in their own way, with many similarities, but each with its own perks. Hopefully, this article helped you make a decision where to visit, but I recommend, eventually, trying to make your way to both. At least at some point. But if you want to see a full video of the top things to do in Savannah, see that here, and for Charleston, here!