A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arachova vs. Siena for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Arachova or Siena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arachova or Siena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arachova

Arachova is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and bustling town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and food.

Siena

Siena is a charming, medieval, and history city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arachova and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arachova or Siena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arachova. Although Arachova and Siena are both popular with visitors, Arachova has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arachova is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, hiking, and small town charm, while Siena is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Arachova is popular for its surrounding mountain beauty, festive Christmas atmosphere, and nearby winter skiing. It is also home to Mount Parnassus Ski Resort. Siena is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace.

How is Arachova different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Arachova or Siena Better for Skiing?

Arachova is very good for snow skiing. However, Siena is not a skiing destination.

Arachova is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. The Parnassos Ski Resort is located just 24 kilometers from town and offers skiing that is beautiful and fun. There are spectacular views and the area has gained popularity in recent years. There are lessons for kids and many other fun winter activities nearby.

Siena is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arachova or Siena?

Siena is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

Arachova offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting sights in the surrounding area, as well as the unique Ai Giorgis Church near town.

Is the Food Better in Arachova or Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Arachova and Siena can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arachova makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with old tavernas that serve up traditional local cuisine. You'll find a lot of the local cheese, formaela, as well as a local noodle dish called hilopites. Pork ribs and delicate desserts are also popular.

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Arachova or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Arachova is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Arachova has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There are many charming bars around town that stay open late into the night. During the popular winter months, you'll find the streets filled with people that come for the unique winter atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Arachova or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Siena offers plenty to see. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Arachova is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is at its best during the Christmas season when there are decorations around the town square and the streets are filled with people.

Is Arachova or Siena Better for Hiking?

Arachova is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Siena is not a hiking destination.

Arachova is a popular spot for hiking. For the best outdoor activities, head to nearby Mount Parnassos, where there's skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and beautiful hikes through the mountainous terrain during the summer months.

Siena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arachova or Siena?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Siena and Arachova.

Arachova is a great destination for shopping. The charming town has many unique shops that sell carpets, woven goods, and local food items.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Arachova or Siena Better for Families?

Arachova is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Arachova is a very family-friendly place to visit. The charming town has long served as a winter escape for those living in Athens. There's plenty for kids to do including and ice skating rink, a horse ranch, and even nearby skiing.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Arachova or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Arachova is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a romantic setting with nice accommodation, delicious local taverns, and plenty of unique activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Arachova or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Siena is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Arachova is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Arachova is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't think to visit this area on their trip to Greece. There are some guesthouses, but not a lot of hostels, so you might find a limited number of social activities.

Is Arachova or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is well known for students. However, Arachova is not popular with students.

Siena is a great city to visit as a student. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Arachova is not popular with students.

Is Arachova or Siena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arachova and Siena.

You'll find some public transit in Arachova, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are some public buses in the area.

While Siena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Arachova or Siena a more walkable city?

Siena is well known for its walkability. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

Arachova is a somewhat walkable place. The town has many walkable streets that are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Arachova Worth Visiting? and Is Siena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Siena or Arachova?

How long in Arachova or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Arachova or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Arachova than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Arachova, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Siena than Arachova 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 Siena.

One day in Arachova or Siena?

In Arachova, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this outdoorsy destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful city of Siena offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Arachova or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arachova. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Siena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Siena, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Arachova or Siena?

Arachova is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Arachova. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Siena is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Arachova or Siena?

You'll find museums and skiing around the outdoorsy destination of Arachova. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Siena is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arachova and Siena, we can see that Siena is more expensive. And not only is Arachova much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arachova would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arachova 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena than you might in Arachova.

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

Which is Bigger, Arachova or Siena?

Siena has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Arachova. When comparing the sizes of Arachova and Siena, 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 Arachova or Siena?

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 Arachova or Siena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arachova and Siena. Most visitors come to Arachova for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Siena because of the family-friendly experiences.

Arachova is a little warmer than Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Arachova averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siena this time of the year. In Arachova, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arachova usually receives more sunshine than Siena during summer. Arachova gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arachova usually receives less rain than Siena. Arachova gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arachova or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Arachova as well as Siena. The autumn months attract visitors to Arachova because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In the autumn, Arachova is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arachova in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arachova this time of the year. In the autumn, Arachova often gets more sunshine than Siena. Arachova gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Arachova gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arachova or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Arachova are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arachova this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Arachova is generally a little warmer than Siena. Daily temperatures in Arachova average around 10°C (51°F), and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Arachova usually receives more sunshine than Siena during winter. Arachova gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Arachova usually receives less rain than Siena. Arachova gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arachova or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Arachova during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Arachova for the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Siena in the spring for the natural beauty.

Arachova is a little warmer than Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Arachova averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Arachova. In the spring, Arachova often gets more sunshine than Siena. Arachova gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Arachova gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Arachova