A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Torquay for Beaches, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Atami or Torquay?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Torquay can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Torquay

Torquay is a thriving, outdoorsy, and trendy surf town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Atami and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Torquay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Torquay than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Torquay is more touristy than Atami and is known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. Also, Torquay is famous for Bells Beach. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Atami different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Torquay?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Atami and Torquay.

Atami offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Torquay. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Torquay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Atami and Torquay.

Atami has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Torquay area. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Atami or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Atami and Torquay.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Torquay has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Atami or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Torquay is renowned for the beache. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Torquay is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is Atami or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Torquay. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Torquay?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Atami and Torquay.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atami. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Many visitors go to Torquay to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Atami or Torquay Better for Families?

Both Atami and Torquay are notable to visit with kids.

Atami is a family-friendly town. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Torquay. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Atami or Torquay Better for Couples?

Torquay is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Torquay makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Atami or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atami and Torquay are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Atami is a good town to visit for backpackers. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

Is Atami or Torquay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Atami and Torquay.

Atami has some public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

You'll find some public transit in Torquay, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Atami or Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Torquay is a very walkable surf town. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

Atami is a somewhat walkable town. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Atami?

How long in Atami or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atami and Torquay. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Torquay than in Atami. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 2-3 days is enough time in Torquay.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Torquay than Atami 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 Torquay.

One day in Atami or Torquay?

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

In Torquay, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this thriving destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the beaches. This surf 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.

A weekend in Atami or Torquay?

In Atami, 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 Atami has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Torquay. 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.

Five days in Atami or Torquay?

Atami 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.

Torquay is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Torquay. Lots of people come for the beaches. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Torquay?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the outdoorsy destination of Torquay. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Atami and Torquay, we can see that Atami is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Atami is in Asia and Torquay is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Atami or Torquay?

Torquay has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Torquay, 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 Atami or Torquay?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Torquay is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Atami has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Atami or Torquay in the Summer?

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

Atami is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Torquay receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Atami usually receives more rain than Torquayin January. Atami gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atami or Torquay in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Atami is cooler than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atami in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Atami usually gets more rain in October than Torquayin April. Atami gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atami or Torquay in the Winter?

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

In January, Atami is generally much colder than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Atami average around 5°C (42°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In January, Atami usually receives more rain than Torquayin July. Atami gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atami or Torquay in the Spring?

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

Atami is much colder than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. Atami usually gets more rain in April than Torquayin October. Atami gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Atami