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

Should you visit Athens or Bonn?

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 Bonn. 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn

Bonn is a outdoorsy, lively, and cultural city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Bonn?

You'll generally find more things to do in Athens than Bonn. Athens is bigger than Bonn, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Athens is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bonn is more popular for its shopping and quaint atmosphere. Athens is more touristy than Bonn and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis. Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Athens from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Many visitors head to Bonn specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

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

Athens is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Athens is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Athens or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Athens is very popular for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Athens is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Athens or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Athens is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

Athens has a world-famous historical 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Bonn?

Bonn 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 Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

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 Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Bonn is very family-friendly. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

Athens is 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.

Is Athens or Bonn Better for Couples?

Athens and Bonn both notable 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.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Athens or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Athens or Bonn Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Bonn are superb places to visit.

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

Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

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

Athens and Bonn both offer superb 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 Bonn is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

Is Athens or Bonn a more walkable city?

Athens and Bonn are superb 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.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Athens?

How long in Athens or Bonn?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Athens than Bonn. 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 Bonn 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 Bonn?

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 Bonn. 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 Bonn?

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.

Bonn 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 Bonn?

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 Bonn. 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 Bonn?

Athens is a ancient 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 beautiful destination of Bonn. This 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Bonn, we can see that Bonn 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Bonn?

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

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 Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Athens is a little warmer than Bonn. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Bonn averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Bonn. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Bonn in the Autumn?

Both Bonn and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Athens is generally much warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bonn. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Bonn. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bonn can be very cold during winter. Athens is much warmer than Bonn in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Bonn. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Bonn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Bonn. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Athens is much warmer than Bonn. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bonn averages at about 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Bonn. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Athens