A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Lagos for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Aegina or Lagos?

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

Should I visit Aegina or Lagos? 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 fun, active, and relaxing island. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Lagos

Lagos is a beautiful, scenic, and adventure-filled resort town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Aegina and Lagos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Lagos?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lagos than Aegina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lagos is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Aegina is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Lagos is more touristy than Aegina and is known for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Also, Lagos is famous for Ponta da Piedade. Aegina is well known for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens.

How is Aegina different from Lagos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lagos 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 Lagos?

Aegina is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Aegina. 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.

Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lagos 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 Lagos is an experience not to be missed. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.

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 Lagos Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Aegina or Lagos 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 Lagos has something for everybody. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.

Is Aegina or Lagos Better for Resorts?

Lagos is an amazing resort town to visit for its resorts. However, Aegina is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Lagos is a great choice. As a resort town, you'll find no shortage of places to stay in the area. If you don't have a car, your best options are in the historic center. If transportation isn't a concern, then you'll find plenty of great resorts in the Marina, Meia Praia, Dona Ana Beach, Camilo Beach, and Porto de Mós Beach.

Aegina is not a resort destination.

Is Aegina or Lagos Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lagos is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aegina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Lagos. With its unique rock formations and caves, there are many spots where you can snorkel or scuba dive nearby. There's also sparkling blue waters and plenty of marine life including lobster, shrimp, anemones, octopuses, and brightly colored fish.

Aegina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Aegina or Lagos Better for Beaches?

Lagos is an amazing resort town 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 Lagos. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.

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 Lagos Better for Hiking?

Lagos 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 Lagos. The city makes an excellent base for exploring some of the nearby hikes and walks. Favorite places to hike include the famous Ponte de Piedade Trail, which is the last part of the multi-day Fisherman's Trail. It takes you by many beautiful rock formations and scenic viewpoints. Another scenic hike is The Alvor Walkways, which is a series of boardwalks through sand dunes.

Aegina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Lagos?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lagos and Aegina.

Many visitors go to Aegina to go shopping. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Lagos. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Is Aegina or Lagos Better for Families?

Lagos is an amazing resort town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Lagos is a very family-friendly destination. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy. Explore the caves in kayaks, take surfing lessons, head for the zoo, or go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants around town.

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 Lagos Better for Couples?

Lagos is an amazing resort town to visit for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Lagos makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The beaches and hotels in the area offer a truly romantic setting for couples, whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's weekend getaway. Spend some time on the beach or go kayaking through the caves. Get a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or go wine tasting through the countryside. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets on a sunset boat cruise while sipping a glass of local wine.

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 Lagos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos is an amazing resort town to visit for backpackers. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lagos is a very popular resort town to visit for backpackers. The area is a favorite for backpackers who come to hang out on the beaches during the day or party late into the night after the sun goes down. There are plenty of hostels around town and many offer a social vibe where it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Lagos Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Aegina is a good destination for its public transit. However, Lagos is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Aegina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lagos. The area has buses, but they are limited in where they go. There is also reduced service on weekends and holidays.

Is Aegina or Lagos a more walkable city?

Aegina is a good destination for its walkability. However, Lagos is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

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

Lagos is not a very walkable island. Most people prefer to have a car as some areas are very hilly and many resorts are outside of town. Depending on your fitness level and motivation, you may be able to get by without a vehicle, but it is generally not recommended.

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

Should I spend more time in Lagos or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Lagos?

In either Aegina or Lagos, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lagos than Aegina because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Aegina, and 3-5 days is enough time in Lagos.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lagos 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 Lagos.

One day in Aegina or Lagos?

In Aegina, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this active destination offers. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lagos. 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 Lagos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lagos is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Aegina or Lagos?

Aegina is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Aegina. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lagos. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Lagos?

You'll find food and shopping around the fun destination of Aegina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Lagos. This resort town 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, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aegina and Lagos, we can see that Lagos 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 Lagos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lagos 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 Lagos Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Lagos?

Lagos has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Lagos, 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 Lagos?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aegina or Lagos in the Summer?

Both Lagos and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Aegina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Aegina is around the same temperature as Lagos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aegina in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Lagos averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. In July, Aegina usually receives less rain than Lagos. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aegina or Lagos in the Autumn?

Both Lagos and Aegina during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Aegina because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lagos this time of year.

In October, Aegina is generally cooler than Lagos. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 19°C (67°F), and Lagos fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aegina usually gets less rain in October than Lagos. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Lagos in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Lagos. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aegina this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Aegina is much colder than Lagos in the winter. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Lagos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In January, Aegina usually receives more rain than Lagos. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aegina or Lagos in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Lagos. Many travelers come to Aegina for the beaches and the small town charm. Additionally, many visitors come to Lagos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Aegina is much colder than Lagos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aegina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Lagos averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Lagos. Aegina usually gets less rain in April than Lagos. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lagos and Aegina