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

Should you visit Athens or Beijing?

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 Beijing. 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. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Athens offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Athens travel costs.

Beijing

Beijing is a massive, jam-packed, and cultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Beijing travel costs.

Athens and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Beijing?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Athens. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Athens attracts visitors for its nightlife and historical sights. Beijing is more touristy than Athens and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy.

How is Athens different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Beijing and Athens.

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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Beijing that are not to be missed. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Beijing 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, Beijing is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

Is Athens or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

Is Athens or Beijing Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

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.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Beijing?

Beijing 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 Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

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 Beijing More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of nice scenery and beauty in both Athens and Beijing.

Athens offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Is Athens or Beijing Better for Families?

Athens is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Athens or Beijing Better for Couples?

Athens and Beijing 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.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Athens or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Athens is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Is Athens or Beijing Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Beijing are very good places to visit.

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

Beijing is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

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

Athens and Beijing both offer very good public transit to get you around.

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.

Public transit in Beijing is fairly effecient and thorough. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

Is Athens or Beijing a more walkable city?

Athens is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its 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.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Athens?

How long in Athens or Beijing?

Both Athens and Beijing have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Athens has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Athens than Beijing. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Athens than Beijing. 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 Beijing. 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 Beijing 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 Beijing?

Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Beijing. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Beijing?

Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Beijing is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Beijing?

Athens is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic big city of Beijing. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 3-Day Tours from Athens, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Beijing, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Beijing is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Beijing.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Beijing?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Beijing, 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 Beijing?

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 Beijing in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Beijing. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Athens is around the same temperature as Beijing in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Beijing. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Beijing. Athens usually gets less rain in July than Beijing. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Beijing in the Autumn?

Both Beijing and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

In the autumn, Athens is a little warmer than Beijing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives more rain than Beijing. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Beijing in the Winter?

Both Beijing and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Beijing. In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Athens often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Beijing in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Beijing. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Athens is a little warmer than Beijing in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives around the same amount of rain as Beijing. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Beijing and Athens