Should you visit Athens or Barcelona?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Athens and Barcelona. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €103, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €122. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Athens and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Athens, €102 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Athens, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €51, such as in a hostel.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Barcelona is €148. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
In Athens travelers spend around €30 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The price of a meal in Barcelona can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €27 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Athens €30
Barcelona €27
Typical Food prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
-
Ice cream
€3.00
-
Souvlaki
€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Online 1hr Cooking Class: Santorini Tomato Fritters:
$6.22
-
Flavors and Memories Self-Guided Mobile Food Tour:
$9.21
-
Hard Rock Cafe Dinner Menu with Priority Seating:
$23
-
Greek Meatballs Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
-
Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Athens Private Food Tour with a Local:
$42
-
Online Cooking Class: Greek mini cheese pies:
$45
-
Favorite Food Tour - 10 Tastings w/ a Local:
$47
-
Athens Food Tour and Lunch:
$52
-
3.5-Hour Traditional Greek Cooking Class:
$54
-
1.5-Hour Greek Cooking Class in Downtown Athens:
$54
-
3-Hour Private Food Tour with Tastings:
$55
-
Taste of Athens 3-Hour Walking Food Tour:
$56
Typical Food prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro
€4.15
-
Sandwich
€1.70
-
Baguette & Horchata
€3.80
-
Tapas on the beach
€8.28
-
Gelatto
€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
-
Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden:
$35
-
Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona:
$49
-
Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!:
$50
-
Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona:
$51
-
Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide:
$52
-
Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert:
$52
-
Bus and Walking Tour with Dinner:
$58
-
Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit:
$59
-
Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket:
$62
-
Traveling Spoon Seafood Paella and Sangria Private Online Cooking Class:
$66
Local Transportation
Athens's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €22 per person, per day on transportation in Athens.
The cost of a taxi ride in Barcelona is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €15 per person, per day, on local transportation in Barcelona.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Ultra - Athens Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Athens Airport ATH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Private Transfer from Athens City Centre to Piraeus Cruise Port:
$9.41
-
Mercedes Luxury Private Transfer Athens - Piraeus:
$16
-
Athens Port Private Transfer:
$16
-
Private Luxury Transfer from Athens - Piraeus:
$17
-
Athens Private Transfer Service: Athens Hotel to Piraeus Port:
$19
-
Athens Private Transfer: Piraeus Cruise Port to Central Athens:
$22
-
Athens Private Transfer: Central Athens to Piraeus Cruise Port:
$22
-
Athens hotels to Piraeus port Private departure transfer:
$22
-
Piraeus port to Athens hotels Private arrival transfer:
$22
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Athens Airport:
$24
-
Transfer from and to Athens International Airport:
$25
Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
10 Trip Metro Ticket
€7.80
-
Airport Bus
€5.00
-
Metro
€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
-
Private 5 days in Barcelona with private transfers and private tours:
$1,524
-
Private 5 days in Barcelona with tours and transfers and pick up and drop off:
$1,213
-
Private Round-Trip transfer from Barcelona Airport or Barcelona city to Andorra:
$876
-
Private 3 days in Barcelona with private tours and transfers:
$796
-
Montserrat Monastery Tour & Hot Air Balloon Flight, Including Transfer, Lunch, Photos, Cava:
$791
-
Private Transfer & Tours to Andorra from Barcelona 10 Hours:
$597
-
Barcelona city or airport to Andorra Private Transfer:
$564
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona travel to Andorra:
$554
-
Transfer Barcelona-Madrid:
$531
-
Private Round-Trip Transfer to Montserrat from Barcelona:
$529
-
Private Transfer: Andorra to Barcelona City or BCN Airport by Luxury Van:
$522
-
Barcelona city to Andorra Private Transfer:
$520
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Athens change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Athens can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €28 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Barcelona typically cost an average of €27 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
-
Athens virtual History, Philosophy and Democracy Tour:
$6.22
-
Skip the Line: Frissiras Museum Entrance Ticket:
$7.46
-
Skip the Line: War Museum of Athens Entrance Ticket:
$7.46
-
Private Tour with a Local Guide:
$8.07
-
Skip the Line: Temple of Olympian Zeus Entrance Ticket:
$8.09
-
The Acropolis Museum Ticket & Access to Ancient Excavation:
$8.24
-
Skip the Line: Roman Agora of Athens Entrance Ticket:
$8.71
-
Athens Museum of Cycladic Art Admission Ticket:
$8.71
-
Cats of Self-Guided Mobile Tour in Plaka:
$9.21
-
Hellenic Motor Museum Entrance Ticket:
$9.22
-
Temple of Olympian Zeus Skip-the-Line and Audio Tour:
$9.22
-
Skip the Line: Admission Ticket for Acropolis Museum:
$9.33
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
-
#1dayBarcelona. 6-Hour Action Packed Private City Discovery Tour:
$549
-
"Gaudi’s Pedrera: The Origins" Night Show and Ticket:
$41
-
'Game Of Thrones' Small Group Tour in Girona from Barcelona:
$125
-
1 hour private sailing tour:
$158
-
1,5 hour Vermut & Sailing Experience Barcelona with drinks and snacks!:
$41
-
1-hour Private Speedboat Cruise from Barcelona:
$372
-
1.5-Hour Sights of Barcelona E-Bike Tour Led by a Local Guide:
$34
-
2 Hours Private Sailing Tour for Family and Friends:
$316
-
2 Hours Running Tour in Barcelona with Local Guide:
$35
-
2 hour Private Sunset Sailing Cruise Barcelona:
$372
-
2 hour Sailing Cruise Barcelona:
$47
-
2 hour Sunset Sailing Cruise Barcelona:
$47
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Athens, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €18.
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Barcelona per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
-
Wine Tasting:
$35
-
Athens Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tasting:
$37
-
The Greek Wine Tasting Beginner's Class:
$46
-
1-Hour Wine Tasting:
$46
-
Athens Old City: Wine Tasting Experience:
$52
-
Greek Wine Tasting Experience:
$56
-
Greek Wine Tasting Experience:
$58
-
Private Wine Tasting Experience in Athens:
$63
-
Local Greek Wine Tasting and Meze:
$68
-
Wine Tour and Tasting in a 19th-Century Tower:
$78
-
Food and Wine Tasting Tour at Night:
$80
-
From Wine Tasting Tour to a Greek Winery:
$83
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
-
Columbus Monument with Optional Wine Tasting:
$7.16
-
Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting:
$9.54
-
Backpacker Pub Crawl:
$18
-
The Original Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Barcelona Halloween Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona:
$19
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Barcelona Wine Tasting: Catalan and Spanish Wines:
$21
-
Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona:
$22
-
Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona:
$26
-
Wine tasting & tapas:
$39
-
Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour:
$44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Athens.
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