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

Should you visit Athens or Bari?

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 Bari. 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 energetic, historic, and ancient city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bari

Bari is a cultural, authentic, and local port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Athens and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Bari?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Athens than Bari. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Athens is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bari attracts visitors for its beaches. Athens is more touristy than Bari and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also well known for The Acropolis. Bari is famous for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Bari offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Bari can be an enjoyable experience.

Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

For foodies, Bari is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

Is Athens or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Athens is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Athens is a must-see party destination. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Bari offers plenty to do in the evening. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

Is Athens or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a good destination for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Bari offers a nice beach destination. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Athens is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its historic old town.

Athens has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Bari?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Bari both offer plenty of nice spots.

Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Bari is a great destination for shopping. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Athens or Bari Better for Families?

Both Athens and Bari are excellent family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Bari is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

Is Athens or Bari Better for Couples?

Athens and Bari both nice destinations for a couple.

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

Bari is a nice destination for couples. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Athens or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bari. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

Is Athens or Bari Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Bari are excellent places to visit.

Many students visit Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Bari is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

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

Athens is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Athens. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Bari has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Athens or Bari a more walkable city?

Athens and Bari are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Bari is very walkable. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Athens?

How long in Athens or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Bari. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Bari 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 Athens.

One day in Athens or Bari?

Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Athens or Bari?

Athens is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bari is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Bari?

Athens is a ancient big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bari. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Bari?

Athens is a historic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Bari. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Bari, we can see that Athens 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Bari?

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

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 Athens or Bari in the Summer?

Both Bari and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

Athens is a little warmer than Bari in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bari fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Bari. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bari during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Bari. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Bari in the Autumn?

Both Bari and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bari for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Athens is around the same temperature as Bari. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Bari averages at about 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bari. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Bari. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Bari in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Bari. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bari in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Bari. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Bari during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Bari. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Bari in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Bari. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Bari for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Athens is a little warmer than Bari in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bari. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bari. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Bari. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bari and Athens