A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Antalya for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Aegina or Antalya?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Aegina or Antalya? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aegina

Aegina is a vibrant, fun, and active island. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Antalya

Antalya is a historic, cultural, and vibrant vacation spot. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aegina and Antalya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Antalya?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Antalya. Although Aegina and Antalya are popular destinations, Antalya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Antalya is very popular for its food, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Aegina attracts visitors for its small town charm. Antalya is more touristy than Aegina and is popular for its turquoise waters, hotel lined beaches, and nearby archeological sights. It is also well known for Hadrian's Gate. Aegina is famous for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens.

How is Aegina different from Antalya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Antalya and Aegina. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aegina or Antalya?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Aegina or Antalya.

Aegina offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

Many visitors head to Antalya specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city combines history with a relaxing resort vacation. Sights in the area include the Antalya Museum and the Yivli Minare.

Is the Food Better in Aegina or Antalya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Antalya is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Antalya is an experience not to be missed. Food is excellent throughout Turkey and this city is no exception. The local cuisine offers a combination of fresh caught seafood as well as various grilled meats. Local specialties include meatball skewers, kulakli soup, and even lentil ice cream. The traditional Turkish breakfast is also popular, which usually includes hard boiled eggs, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and Turkish breads or pastries. It's almost always served with Turkish tea.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Aegina or Antalya has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Aegina know how to have a good time. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

The nightlife in Antalya has something for everybody. The city has an insane nightlife scene with huge glamorous dance clubs that fill to the brink as well as low key bars and pubs that everyone can enjoy.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Music?

Antalya is a popular place for its music scene. However, Aegina is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Antalya is active and vibrant. Live music ranges from rock concerts to symphonies as well as a number of local music venues.

Aegina is not a live music destination.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Resorts?

Antalya is an amazing vacation spot to visit for its resorts. However, Aegina is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Antalya is a great choice. The city is famous for its resorts that range from luxury to family-friendly. Some of the most popular resorts in the area include Xanadu Resort Hotel, Susesi, and Lara Barut, but there are many more.

Aegina is not a resort destination.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Antalya is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aegina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Antalya has a few good snorkeling spots. Outside of town, in the region of Antalya, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Turkey.

Aegina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Beaches?

Antalya is an amazing vacation spot to visit for the beach. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Antalya. Beaches in Antalya are among the best in Turkey. They are sandy with warm water and a number of resorts nearby.

Many people head to Aegina to enjoy the beach. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for its Old Town?

Antalya is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Antalya. The city has a beautiful old town area, Kaleiçi, that is known for its narrow streets and historic buildings. The area has many sights including Hadrian's Gate.

Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Hiking?

Antalya is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Aegina is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Antalya. Outside of town you'll find coastal hikes with scenic views as well as trails that wander through historic ruins.

Aegina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Antalya?

Antalya is an amazing vacation spot to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Antalya is a world class destination for shoppers. Antalya combines modern high end malls with more traditional bazaars. From luxury fashion brands to souvenirs and local trinkets, the area has everything.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Aegina. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Families?

Antalya is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Antalya is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has beautiful beaches, historic ruins, and resorts that cater specifically to families. It's a popular family-friendly destination in Turkey.

Aegina offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Couples?

Antalya is a great destination for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Antalya frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Antalya is a top-rated honeymoon destination in Turkey. It's beautiful beaches, romantic resorts, and great shopping put it at the top of many couples' list.

Aegina is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antalya is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Antalya is a very popular vacation spot for backpackers and budget travelers. Despite the many resorts in town, there are also budget accommodation options available including hostels. Backpackers appreciate Antalya's impressive old town as well as the area's stunning beaches.

Aegina is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Is Aegina or Antalya Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Antalya is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Antalya offers a very effecient public transportation network. Buses and minibuses will help you get around town.

While Aegina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Is Aegina or Antalya a more walkable city?

Aegina and Antalya both are nice when exploring on foot.

Aegina is a somewhat walkable island. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

Antalya is somewhat walkable. The historic area in particular is compact, filled with historic sights, and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Aegina Worth Visiting? and Is Antalya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antalya or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Antalya?

In either Aegina or Antalya, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Antalya than Aegina because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Aegina, and 2-5 days is enough time in Antalya.

Families should spend more time in Antalya than Aegina. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Antalya, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Antalya than Aegina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Antalya that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antalya than Aegina if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Antalya.

One day in Aegina or Antalya?

In Aegina, you'll find nightlife and food. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Antalya. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Aegina or Antalya?

In Aegina, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Aegina has to offer.

Antalya is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Aegina or Antalya?

Aegina is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antalya. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Aegina or Antalya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aegina. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Antalya. This vacation spot offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, and The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aegina and Antalya, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Antalya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antalya than you might in Aegina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aegina Expensive? and Is Antalya Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Antalya?

Antalya has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Antalya, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Aegina or Antalya?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aegina or Antalya in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Antalya. The summer months attract visitors to Aegina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Antalya this time of year.

Aegina is around the same temperature as Antalya in the summer. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Antalya fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antalya. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aegina this time of the year. In the summer, Aegina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antalya. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antalya receives 376 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets more rain in July than Antalya. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Antalya receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Antalya in the Autumn?

Both Antalya and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Aegina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antalya for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Aegina is around the same temperature as Antalya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aegina in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Antalya averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Antalya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aegina. Aegina usually receives less sunshine than Antalya during autumn. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Antalya receives 251 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Aegina usually receives less rain than Antalya. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Antalya receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aegina or Antalya in the Winter?

Both Antalya and Aegina during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Aegina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Antalya in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Aegina is generally around the same temperature as Antalya. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 10°C (51°F), and Antalya fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Aegina often gets less sunshine than Antalya. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antalya receives 161 hours of full sun.

Antalya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aegina usually gets less rain in January than Antalya. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antalya receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Antalya in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Antalya. Many visitors come to Aegina in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Antalya for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Aegina is around the same temperature as Antalya in the spring. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Antalya fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antalya this time of the year. In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antalya during spring. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Antalya receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aegina usually receives less rain than Antalya. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Antalya receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antalya and Aegina