There’s not a destination in the world that offers visitors what a New England summer can. As a Bostonian who has lived in London and spent many summers in Europe, Nantucket remains one of my favorite summer destinations. Nantucket’s sister island, Martha’s Vineyard, is also a popular option for locals and visitors alike. Both islands offer extensive New England charm and have some of the best beaches in the USA. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard each have unique characteristics, but both are great for couples, girls’ trips, or families. You’ll need to know a few things before you visit both of these islands, including how to get to them! Since I’ve traveled to both many times, make sure to keep reading! This post will help you decide which island is better for you, Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard!

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Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard Quick Overview: Which Island is Better?

Before you get into all the nitty gritty of deciding which island is best for you next day or weekend trip, or even summer vacation, let’s go through a quick overview. This overview is meant to paint a picture of what each island looks like, and I’ll continue to share the specific differences later in the post. Even though you can easily use Google’s AI overview, as a local Bostonian who has traveled to these islands many times, I think it’s important to give you a human perspective as well! Here we go!

This beautiful gray shingled house adorned with a blue door and hydrangea flower pots is one of the many idyllic houses you'll find in the storybook village of Sconset on Nantucket. If I had to choose architecture on Nantucket vs Martha's Vineyard I would choose Nantucket. Much of the island is designated as a historical landmark!

The historic, storybook island of Nantucket

Peter Gott wrote in his book Summer Windows of Sconset- ‘It’s hard to visit Nantucket in the summer and not fall in love with the place.’ If any one-liners were more accurate, this would be it. As soon as you step on the island of Nantucket, there’s a certain authentic, historic, and aesthetic charm that draws you in. With the entire island designated as a national historic district, it’s easy to see why- and even as soon as you step off the ferry! Many of the buildings downtown are original or have been well preserved and restored.

Like I said, the best part about landing on Nantucket is that the ferry will drop you off right downtown, and you won’t need to venture far to start exploring the island. You’ll be a short walk from a beach and a lighthouse, and can either grab a bite to eat on the main street or at many other options scattered around town. The public transportation via a bus is top-notch, and you can easily get to the beach when you arrive. Don’t miss the storybook village of Sconset, it’s magical. Immediate charm and easy transportation make this island an easy choice. It will also be the more remote and expensive of the two.

Best Places to Stay in Nantucket

A Comprehensive List of the Best Hotels in Nantucket

Overall Best Place to Stay on Nantucket: White Elephant Hotel $$$

5-Star luxury Hotel and Spa on Nantucket: Blue Iris by Life House $$$$

Best Resort for Families: Nantucket Hotel and Resort $$$

My favorite Boutique Hotel: Faraway Nantucket $$$

Best Value: Jared Coffin House $$

These are the iconic gingerbread houses on Martha's Vineyard. The architectural style is known as Carpenter Gothic, common in North America in the late nineteenth century. All the cottages are painted in different bright colors, and most will be painted with at least a few different colors. They are also embellished with unique jigsaw decorations of almost endless variety usually around the trimming of the porches, or window frames. They all usually have a covered front porch, and intricate carvings around the bannisters as well. Many also have beautiful hydrangeas or other flowers growing in their very small front and side yards.

The colorful and cultural island of Martha’s Vineyard

Compared to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard is almost double the size! Martha’s Vineyard is composed of the towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah. Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs are the two major ferry ports. They both have a beach town vibe, but are also touristy in a kitschy way. It would seem logical that they would be located on opposite sides of the island, but they are not far from each other. Edgartown is the most similar to Nantucket, with a traditional New England small town aesthetic, but also feels quite touristy at the same time. West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah are where you’ll find the beauty of the topography of the island. You’ll also find the famous Aquinnah cliffs.

Due to this island’s size, it’s not as easy to explore in a day, as there’s more to see and do. Don’t miss the colorful gingerbread houses in Oak Bluffs or catch a show at the Performing Ars Center. To get around the island, a bike (I recommend an electric one) or a car is essential. If you want to bring your car, it can be quite expensive and will require you to plan ahead. Martha’s Vineyard offers more variety and quantity of beaches. You’ll find, however, that because of its size and many residential properties owned by the rich and famous, some beaches even need a residential pass if you’re bringing your car. There are so many options to explore on this island; let’s dive into how Nantucket vs. Martha’s Vineyard compares!

Best Places to Stay in Martha’s Vineyard

Best Hotel in Martha’s Vineyard

Harbor View Hotel $$ • The Edgartown Inn $$$ • Winnetu $$$$ • Hob Knob $$$$

Best Bed and Breakfasts in Martha’s Vineyard

Narragansett House $$ • The Oak Bluffs Inn $$ • Summer Camp $$ • Pequot Hotel $-$$

This is another gray shingled Cape Cod style home in the village of Sconset, Nantucket. It has a vintage-esque Jeep parked out front, which are very popular vehicles to have on this island!

Let’s Compare Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard by Category

How big is each island?

If you’re wondering about Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard size, Martha’s Vineyard is around 96 square miles, which is more than double the size of Nantucket at 44 square miles. Due to Martha’s Vineyard’s size, it has six main towns, whereas Nantucket is considered both a town and a county. Nantucket is also listed as a national historical district, with 50% of the island listed as conservation land.

Winner: Martha’s Vineyard. Martha’s Vineyard is a larger island with more to see and do; however, Nantucket’s smaller size makes it easier to get around by either bus or bike. This might help you decide which island to visit, depending on how much time you have, which I’ll explain more about later!

When is the best time to visit Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard?

The best time to visit Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard is between June to August. Keep in mind, this is also the busiest time to visit these islands, not just with visitors but with locals. There are quite a few locals who also live on these islands year-round, and many New Englanders have second homes or summer cottages. If you’re looking to maximize your budget, visiting in the spring, in May, or the fall, like late September or October, is still a great time to visit the islands. You will find far fewer tourists and better competitive prices on accommodations.

Winner: Nantucket. One event that non-locals may not know about is the Nantucket Christmas stroll. This event usually happens near the first weekend of December every year. It makes this island so versatile and a great location to visit any time of year.

New England can still be warm in the spring and fall, depending on the year. Here are all the best things to do in spring in New England and the best places to visit in the fall in New England.

Is Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard more expensive?

Even though both of these islands are popular with the rich and famous, Nantucket is more expensive than Martha’s Vineyard. Even though I wouldn’t say Martha’s Vineyard is a ‘budget-friendly’ or ‘cheap’ destination, it is slightly less expensive. Don’t get me wrong, there are luxurious accommodations and locations in Martha’s Vineyard, but it’s not only accommodations but also transport and dining that are more expensive.

The reason for the price differences on the island could be the vibe that they give. Each island has a unique vibe, but Nantucket is more authentic and has no chain stores, making it feel less touristy. Edgartown is quaint like Nantucket, but still has lots of less expensive souvenir shops. Oak Bluffs, where you might disembark the ferry, almost feels like a cheap amusement park without the rides- oh wait, it might have one or two. This area accommodates more tourists and also makes items less expensive.

Winner: Nantucket.

This is one of the residential neighborhoods in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. Many of these houses are white washed with blue shingles, and adorning flower pots in the windows. This one even has a vintage turquoise car parked right in the driveway. Edgartown is one of the most beautiful places on Martha's Vineyard.

Which island is easier to get around?

I would say Nantucket is the clear winner again, only because of its smaller size. Both islands have bus systems, but I think Nantucket’s has a better reputation. You can also get around easily on both islands via bike. I recommend an electric bike. All of the best places to see in Nantucket are more accessible by bike than in Martha’s Vineyard. Many could also argue that if you bring your car to Martha’s Vineyard, it’s easy to get around via car, which is usually true. Sometimes during the summer, if there’s traffic, it can be slower to get around some places on the island.

Winner: Nantucket

Which island is easier to get to?

Both islands are easily accessible by ferry, but Martha’s Vineyard has two ferry ports, whereas Nantucket only has one. Martha’s Vineyard usually has more ferry times available and more options for departure locations. Here are all the ferry options available to Martha’s Vineyard. You can also fly to both islands, but there are usually more flights available to Martha’s Vineyard vs Nantucket.

If you’re looking for ferry options to Nantucket, here are all the best options.

Winner: Martha’s Vineyard.

This typical New England beach has beautiful tall grass paving a sandy walkway to the soft sand and the ocean. New England has some of the best beaches in the USA!

Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard: Best Beaches

When comparing the beaches between these two islands, I will say that the topography of Martha’s Vineyard is more varied than Nantucket. With this in mind, both islands have incredible, sandy beaches. Nantucket’s beaches are also all open to the public, whereas some of Martha’s Vineyard’s beaches are more exclusive, and you need a resident pass just to park your car.

Best Beaches in Nantucket

Some of the best beaches on Nantucket are Brant Point, which is a short walk from the main town. Steps Beach also isn’t too far from town and is incredibly beautiful. If you’re looking for the best beach in Nantucket for families, it would be Jettie’s Beach.

Best Beaches in Martha’s Vineyard

Some of the best beaches in Martha’s Vineyard are Lighthouse Beach in Edgartown, Aquinnah Public Beaches near the famous Aquinnah Cliffs, and Lambert’s Cove Beach, which is considered to have some of the finest sand and clear water. My husband and I visited this beach during one of our stays, but were only able to visit because our Airbnb, located in West Tisbury, had a residential pass to use since the parking lot is closed to the public.

Winner: Tie

Sankaty Lighthouse is one of the most iconic lighthouses on Nantucket and one of the best things to see on the island. The lighthouses on Nantucket vs Martha's Vineyard are more picturesque. This Sankaty Lighthouse is famous for its white and red stripes.

What island has more lighthouses?

Martha’s Vineyard has five lighthouses, and Nantucket only has three. Out of the five lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard, you can only visit three to four, as some are not always open to the public. You can visit all three of Nantucket’s lighthouses, and only one, Great Point Lighthouse, requires a four-wheel drive vehicle to access it via the beach.

Nantucket Lighthouses

Nantucket’s other lighthouses include Brant Point Lighthouse, which is the most iconic, located on a sandy beach overlooking the quaint town. The other lighthouse, Sankaty Lighthouse, is also iconic with its red and white stripes. You can easily visit this lighthouse by bike when disembarking the ferry. Great Point Lighthouse is only accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle to access it via the beach.

Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouses

Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses include the most popular, Edgartown Lighthouse, which, similar to Brant Point Lighthouse, is located on a sandy beach overlooking the beautiful bay and is a short walk from downtown Edgartown. The Gay Head Lighthouse is the next famous one. It is a rare, red brick lighthouse close to the beautiful Aquinnah Cliffs. Even though you can see West Chop Lighthouse from the road, it’s closed to visitors. East Chop Lighthouse is occasionally closed to visitors as well. You can visit Cape Poge Lighthouse only with a guide from the Trustees of Reservations. Last but not least, similar to Great Point Lighthouse in Nantucket, you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to access it via the beach.

Winner: Tie

Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard: Best Things to Do

Many of the best things to do on both islands include strolling the quaint towns, sunbathing at the beaches, and visiting the unique lighthouses. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Nantucket, I’ve written a complete guide for you! Here is another guide for all the best things to do in Martha’s Vineyard!

Winner: Nantucket is my personal favorite, but there is a bit more to do on Martha’s Vineyard.

What island has the best food?

Both islands offer delicious culinary options. In my personal opinion, Nantucket has better restaurants. You can’t beat the sandwiches at Claudette’s in Sconset, or the waffle ice cream cones from Juice Bar. Galley Beach is the most beautiful upscale dining option, and Jettie’s Beach is the most laid-back. You also have to check out Millie’s near Madaket Beach– order your food to go just in time for the sun to set!

One thing I will say about Martha’s Vineyard is that if you’re in the right place at the right time, you might dine with a celebrity. I’ll never forget when I saw Meg Ryan and her family walk right past my husband’s and I’s table at State Road Restaurant. It’s also popular with the Obamas!

Winner: Nantucket

This gray shingled one-story cottage in Sconset even has a circular, nautical window on the front door. It is consistent with how lovely most of the cottages in this neighborhood are with the roses climbing up the sides and bustling out of the front picket fence.

Is it worth going to Nantucket for a day??

It is 110% worth going to Nantucket, and even though the ferry tickets and the island in general may seem expensive, there are plenty of free and low-cost things to do on Nantucket. In one day, you can explore the downtown, find the storybook neighborhoods, get your toes in the sand, and visit a lighthouse. The only word I can use to describe Nantucket is magic, and you’ll feel it as soon as you step on the island. Here’s how to plan a perfect day trip to Nantucket. I promise you won’t regret it!

Can you visit Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket on the same day?

Even though I wouldn’t recommend it, you could visit Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket on the same day because the ferries operate daily on both islands.

Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket vs Cape Cod

In conclusion, you may be able to stretch your money a bit further on Martha’s Vineyard, but Nantucket is an absolute must-see. Both of these islands are the perfect day trip from Boston or a day trip from Cape Cod. If you have at least a week, I highly recommend visiting Cape Cod and taking a day trip to the islands. If you only have a day or two, I highly recommend a day trip to Nantucket.