Which place is cheaper, Florence or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Florence. 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 is a energetic, historic, and ancient city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Athens is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Athens travel costs.
Florence is a iconic, alluring, and historical city. Many visitors also come to Florence because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Florence travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Florence, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Florence is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. Florence is more touristy than Athens and is known for its iconic beauty, world-renowned Renaissance art and architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis.
The Acropolis
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Florence and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of world-class museums and attractions in both Florence and Athens.
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.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Florence that are not to be missed. Because of it's important role in the Renaissance, the city has many world-renowned museums that you can visit. Famous sights and landmarks include the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Academy Gallery.
Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Florence can be an enjoyable experience.
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.
For foodies, Florence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Once you've worked up an appetite exploring museums and churches, you'll find many amazing local restaurants around town. Local dishes incorporate a lot of hearty vegetables and meats. Famous dishes include a Florentine steak dish, rabbit, and a bean and cabbage soup. You'll also find all of your favorite Italian staples and many great family-owned trattorie.
Athens is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.
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.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Florence. You'll find the most active nightlife in the Santa Croce neighborhood. The area attracts study abroad students as well as tourists who party late into the night.
Visitors enjoy the world-class old town areas in both Athens and Florence.
With a famous historical old-town, Athens offers plenty to see. 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.
The rich history of Florence can be explored in its historical center. The historic center of the city is where you'll find many of the most beautiful buildings, art works, and quaint streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was at the heart of the Renaissance period.
Florence 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 Florence. There are many shops in the tourist heart of the city. Most are geared specifically to tourists so you may have to search to find a more authentic shopping experience. Famous items available in the city include gold jewelry, ceramics, leather, and perfume.
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.
Florence is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.
Many visitors also come to Florence because of it's amazing beauty. The city's beautiful architecture and impressive gardens make it among the most beautiful cities in the world.
Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.
Athens is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Athens is very family-friendly. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.
Florence is a family-friendly place to visit. Most famous for its art and history, the city also has a number of activities that kids will enjoy. There's a carousel and a park that are perfect to let the little ones run around. There are a few kid-friendly museums, as well as a historic city center that will mesmerize the old and young alike.
Florence is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
Florence is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Art and history lovers will enjoy a visit to this truly beautiful city. Couples who enjoy museums, historic buildings, and world-renowned art, will find plenty to do in this city.
Athens is a nice destination for couples. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.
For backpackers, both Athens and Florence are world-class places to visit.
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.
Florence is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is part of a popular route through Italy, and you'll find many backpackers and students in town. There are also many hostels, so you should have no trouble meeting other young travelers.
Florence is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.
Florence is a very popular place to visit for students. Many students visit this city as part of a short term study abroad program, or for the entire length of their studies. The city is beautiful, and whether your focus is art, history, or culture, this city will not disappoint.
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.
Athens is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.
Public transit in Athens can get you to some places easily. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.
Florence has a few public transit options. The city has a comprehensive bus system.
Florence 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.
Florence is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most people explore the city on foot and the striking beauty and and pedestrian-friendly areas make it a great place to wander. During peak seasons, the streets can get crowded.
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 Florence Worth Visiting?.
Both Athens and Florence have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Florence has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Florence than Athens. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-7 days is enough time in Florence.
Families should spend more time in Athens than Florence. 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 Florence than Athens. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Florence that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Florence than Athens 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 Florence.
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 Florence. 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.
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.
Florence 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.
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 Florence. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
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.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the iconic destination of Florence. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Florence is €180. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Athens and Florence in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Florence? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Florence and Athens change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Florence, we can see that Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive?.
Athens has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Florence, 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.
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.
Both Florence and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Florence. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Florence fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Florence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Florence during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Florence. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Florence and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Florence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Athens is a little warmer than Florence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Florence. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in October than Florence. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Florence. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Florence this time of year.
In the winter, Athens is a little warmer than Florence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Florence averages at about 7°C (45°F).
Athens usually receives more sunshine than Florence during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Florence. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Florence. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Florence for the natural beauty.
In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Florence. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Florence fluctuates around 14°C (57°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 Florence. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Florence. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Athens | Florence | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |