A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Amsterdam for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Athens or Amsterdam?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Amsterdam. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a vibrant, energetic, and historic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a laid-back, scenic, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Athens and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Amsterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam. Although Athens and Amsterdam are roughly the same size, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is more popular for its music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Athens is known for its museums, food, and historical sights. Amsterdam is more touristy than Athens and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy.

How is Athens different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Amsterdam?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Athens are among the most recognizable in the world. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Amsterdam. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Amsterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Athens is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Athens or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is world-class in both Athens and Amsterdam.

The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Amsterdam is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Is Athens or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Athens is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Athens offers plenty to see. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is great for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Athens or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Athens is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Athens is a very kid-friendly city. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Athens or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is great for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Athens is a nice destination for couples. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Is Athens or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Athens and Amsterdam are world-class places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Amsterdam is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Is Athens or Amsterdam Better for Students?

Athens is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Athens is a great city to visit as a student. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Athens or Amsterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Public transit in Athens is fairly effecient and thorough. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Is Athens or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Amsterdam is a very easy city to get around on foot. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Athens is very walkable. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Athens?

How long in Athens or Amsterdam?

Both Athens and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

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

One day in Athens or Amsterdam?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Amsterdam. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Amsterdam?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Amsterdam 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 Athens or Amsterdam?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Athens or Amsterdam?

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the party-oriented big city of Amsterdam. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Amsterdam, 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 Athens or Amsterdam?

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 Athens or Amsterdam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Amsterdam. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Athens is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Amsterdam. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

Both Amsterdam and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Athens is much warmer than Amsterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Amsterdam in the Winter?

Both Amsterdam and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Amsterdam. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Amsterdam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Amsterdam. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Athens is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Athens