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

Should you visit Athens or Dubai?

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 Dubai. 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.

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Athens and Dubai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Dubai?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai than Athens. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dubai is very popular for its skiing, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Athens attracts visitors for its museums, food, and historical sights. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Dubai is famous for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa

How is Athens different from Dubai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dubai and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Athens is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Athens is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Dubai?

Athens is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

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

Athens is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Dubai makes for a great culinary experience. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is first-rate in both Athens and Dubai.

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.

Dubai is a world class party destination. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Music?

Dubai is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Athens is not a live music destination.

Dubai has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Resorts?

Dubai is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Dubai for its luxury resorts. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Beaches?

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

Dubai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Dubai does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Athens is revered around the world. 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.

Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Dubai?

Dubai is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

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 Dubai Better for Families?

Both Athens and Dubai 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.

Dubai is a very family-friendly place to visit. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Couples?

Athens and Dubai 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.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known 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.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Athens or Dubai Better for Students?

Dubai is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Dubai is a very popular place to visit for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Athens is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Is Athens or Dubai 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, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Athens offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Athens or Dubai a more walkable city?

Athens is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known 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.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

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

Should I spend more time in Dubai or Athens?

How long in Athens or Dubai?

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

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

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

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of Dubai. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Dubai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Dubai 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 Dubai?

Athens is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Dubai?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the modern big city of Dubai. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Dubai, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Dubai is in Middle East, 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 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Dubai?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Dubai, 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 Dubai?

Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Dubai in the Summer?

Both Dubai and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. Athens is cooler than Dubai in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Dubai fluctuates around 35°C (95°F).

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Dubai. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.

Should I visit Athens or Dubai in the Autumn?

Both Dubai and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.

In the autumn, Athens is cooler than Dubai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Dubai averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Athens usually gets more rain in October than Dubai. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Dubai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Dubai. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Athens is generally much colder than Dubai. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Dubai fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In January, Athens usually receives more rain than Dubai. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Athens or Dubai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Dubai. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.

Athens is much colder than Dubai in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Dubai fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Athens usually gets more rain in April than Dubai. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Dubai and Athens