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

Should you visit Athens or Dusseldorf?

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 Dusseldorf. 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a vibrant, historic, and fun-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Dusseldorf: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Dusseldorf?

You'll generally find more things to do in Athens than Dusseldorf. Athens is bigger than Dusseldorf, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Athens is more touristy than Dusseldorf and is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis. Dusseldorf is well known for its music and art scene, as well as being the fashion capital of Germany.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Dusseldorf?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Athens that are not to be missed. 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.

Dusseldorf offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are museums, palaces, and many cultural sights. Make sure you check out Schloss Benrath, the Rheinturm, the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection, and Museum Kunstpalast.

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

Athens is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Dusseldorf has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).

Is Athens or Dusseldorf Better for Nightlife?

Athens is very popular for nightlife. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Dusseldorf has a few options to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.

Is Athens or Dusseldorf Better for its Old Town?

Athens is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 visitors explore the old town while visiting Dusseldorf. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Dusseldorf?

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

Dusseldorf is a great destination for shopping. Head to the popular shopping street of Königsallee. You'll find luxury brands and boutique shops. The city also has department stores and large shopping malls.

Is Athens or Dusseldorf Better for Families?

Both Athens and Dusseldorf are excellent 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.

Dusseldorf is a very family-friendly place to visit. It has many great playgrounds and parks where kids can run around. Animal lovers will appreciate Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald which has about 100 animals. If the weather's nice you can head to Unterbacher See, which is a lakefront beach. Other kid-friendly activities in town include the Neanderthal Museum and Museum Kunstpalast.

Is Athens or Dusseldorf Better for Couples?

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

Dusseldorf is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is live theater, spa hotels, historic palaces, and many parks and gardens where couples can enjoy their time together. Popular activities for couples in town include visiting Rheinturm, taking a Rhine River cruise, and exploring Schloss Dyck.

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 Dusseldorf Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is very popular for backpackers. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dusseldorf. There are plenty of hostels and activities around town. There are also affordable restaurants and a nice nightlife scene.

Is Athens or Dusseldorf Better for Students?

Athens is a great destination for students. However, Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf is not popular with students.

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

Dusseldorf is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors in Dusseldorf can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.

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.

Is Athens or Dusseldorf a more walkable city?

Athens and Dusseldorf are excellent 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.

Dusseldorf is very walkable. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dusseldorf or Athens?

How long in Athens or Dusseldorf?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Dusseldorf. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Dusseldorf. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dusseldorf.

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

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

When visiting Athens, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dusseldorf. 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 one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Dusseldorf?

When visiting Athens, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf?

Athens, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Athens is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun-filled destination of Dusseldorf. 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 Munich, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Dusseldorf?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Dusseldorf. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Dusseldorf, 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 Dusseldorf?

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 Dusseldorf in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Dusseldorf. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Dusseldorf. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 195 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Dusseldorf. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Dusseldorf in the Autumn?

Both Dusseldorf and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Dusseldorf during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Dusseldorf. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Dusseldorf in the Winter?

Both Dusseldorf and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Dusseldorf. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 45 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Dusseldorf. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Dusseldorf in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Dusseldorf. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dusseldorf for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Athens is much warmer than Dusseldorf. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Dusseldorf averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Dusseldorf during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Dusseldorf. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dusseldorf and Athens