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

Should you visit Athens or Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne. 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. 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Athens and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Carcassonne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Athens than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Athens is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Carcassonne is more popular for its small town charm. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis. Carcassonne is well known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Carcassonne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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

Athens is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Athens or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Athens is very popular for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Athens or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Athens is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Carcassonne?

Athens is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Athens. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Athens or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Athens is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Athens or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Athens and Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is a nice destination for couples. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Athens or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Carcassonne is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Is Athens or Carcassonne Better for Students?

Athens is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Is Athens or Carcassonne 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, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Athens is fairly effecient and thorough. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Athens or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Carcassonne is a very easy town to get around on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Athens?

How long in Athens or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Athens or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Athens than Carcassonne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 1-2 days is enough time in Carcassonne.

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

Athens is a energetic city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Carcassonne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Athens or Carcassonne?

Athens is a historic big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne?

Athens is a energetic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the fairytale destination of Carcassonne. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Carcassonne, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Carcassonne?

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

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Carcassonne. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the summer, Athens is a little warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Carcassonne. 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. Additionally, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Athens is generally a little warmer than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Athens is a little warmer than Carcassonne in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Athens is a little warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Athens