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

Should you visit Athens or Cagliari?

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 Cagliari. 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 ancient, vibrant, and energetic 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. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Cagliari

Cagliari is a under-rated, laid back, and relaxed 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 Cagliari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Cagliari?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Cagliari, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Cagliari is known for its beaches. Athens is more touristy than Cagliari and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis. Cagliari is popular for its medieval quarter, beautiful hilltop setting, and impressive beaches.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Cagliari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Athens are world-renowned. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cagliari can be an interesting and educational experience. The Castello district is filled with ancient buildings including Bastione San Remy and the Duomo. Also make sure you check out the Archeology Museum.

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

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Athens has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Dining out in Cagliari is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine mixes the island's sea and mountain settings. You'll find many local pastas, breads, seafood dishes, and cheeses. There's a wealth of diversity in the food and you should definitely step away from the more traditional Italian flavors and try something uniquely Sardinian.

Is Athens or Cagliari Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Athens has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Cagliari is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There's a thriving nightlife scene that is mostly centered around tourists. You'll find a number of the best bars in the Castello district and the atmosphere is usually relaxed and laid back, like the town itself.

Is Athens or Cagliari Better for Beaches?

Cagliari is great for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Cagliari for it's beautiful beaches. While you'll find some nice beaches in town, if you're willing to head to the surrounding areas just outside of town, you'll be rewarded with amazing beaches. The beaches are enjoyable any time of the year.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Cagliari Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

Athens offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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 go to Cagliari to see the historical old town. The Castello district is the city's old town. It's filled with narrow alleys, historic castles, and a truly unique atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Cagliari?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Cagliari both offer plenty of good 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.

Cagliari is a great destination for shopping. Head to the Marina district for some of the city's best shopping opportunities. There are a number of shopping malls to choose from. For souvenirs and other handicrafts, the port area has a few shops.

Is Athens or Cagliari Better for Families?

Both Athens and Cagliari are high quality 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.

Cagliari is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of activities for kids to enjoy in the areas surrounding the city. If you're willing to get about an hour out of town, you can check out the Water Park of Pula. In town, there's a little train that young kids will enjoy. And, of course, there are the beaches!

Is Athens or Cagliari Better for Couples?

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

Cagliari is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The waterfront setting and nice beaches make this a great place for couples. There's also the Castello district, which is fun to wander through, and many parks and outdoor walking areas.

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 Cagliari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Athens is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cagliari. There's a hostel or two in the area that offer accommodation that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Athens or Cagliari Better for Students?

Athens is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Athens is very popular with students. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Cagliari is popular with students. There are some study abroad opportunities in town, and with the nearby beaches and wonderful weather, many international students enjoy their time here.

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

Athens is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Athens can get you around easily. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

You'll find some public transit in Cagliari, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel around town relatively efficiently.

Is Athens or Cagliari a more walkable city?

Athens and Cagliari are high quality 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.

Cagliari is very walkable. While the city is very walkable, it is built on a large hill so come prepared for some steep climbs.

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

Should I spend more time in Cagliari or Athens?

How long in Athens or Cagliari?

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

Families should spend more time in Athens than Cagliari. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Cagliari 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 Cagliari?

Athens is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cagliari. 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 Cagliari?

Athens is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Cagliari 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 Cagliari?

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cagliari. 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 Cagliari?

Athens is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxed destination of Cagliari. 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 in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Cagliari, 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 Cagliari Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Cagliari?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cagliari. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Cagliari, 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 Cagliari?

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 Cagliari in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Cagliari. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cagliari in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Cagliari. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Cagliari fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cagliari this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cagliari during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Cagliari receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives more rain than Cagliari. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cagliari receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Cagliari in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Cagliari. Many visitors come to Athens in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Cagliari for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Athens is around the same temperature as Cagliari in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Cagliari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cagliari. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cagliari receives 192 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Cagliari. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cagliari receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Cagliari in the Winter?

Both Cagliari and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cagliari because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Athens is around the same temperature as Cagliari. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Cagliari averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Cagliari during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Cagliari receives 131 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cagliari. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cagliari receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Cagliari in the Spring?

Both Cagliari and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Cagliari this time of year.

In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Cagliari. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Cagliari fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Cagliari, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Cagliari. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cagliari receives 202 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Cagliari. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cagliari receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cagliari and Athens