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

Should you visit Athens or Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima. 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Athens travel costs.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a meaningful, park-filled, and memorable city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Hiroshima travel costs.

Athens and Hiroshima: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Hiroshima?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Athens than Hiroshima. While Hiroshima is larger than Athens, Athens has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Athens is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Hiroshima is more popular for its shopping. Athens is more touristy than Hiroshima and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis. Hiroshima is well known for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Hiroshima?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima that are not to be missed. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

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

Athens is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Athens have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Hiroshima. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Is Athens or Hiroshima Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

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 Hiroshima. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

Is Athens or Hiroshima Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Hiroshima does not have a historic old town.

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.

Hiroshima does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

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 Hiroshima More Beautiful?

Athens is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Hiroshima is not a destination known for its beauty.

Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Hiroshima is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Athens or Hiroshima Better for Families?

Athens is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly place to visit. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Athens or Hiroshima Better for Couples?

Athens and Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is a nice destination for couples. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Athens or Hiroshima Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

Is Athens or Hiroshima Better for Students?

Athens is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Hiroshima is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Hiroshima is not popular with students.

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

Athens and Hiroshima both offer very good public transit to get you around.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Athens. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Public transit in Hiroshima is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

Is Athens or Hiroshima a more walkable city?

Athens and Hiroshima are very good 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.

Hiroshima is very walkable. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hiroshima or Athens?

How long in Athens or Hiroshima?

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

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

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Hiroshima. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Hiroshima?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Hiroshima is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Hiroshima?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hiroshima. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Hiroshima?

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the memorable destination of Hiroshima. This city 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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Hiroshima, 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 Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima in the Summer?

Both Hiroshima and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hiroshima because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as Hiroshima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Hiroshima during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 194 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Hiroshima. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Hiroshima in the Autumn?

Both Hiroshima and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Hiroshima this time of year.

In October, Athens is generally a little warmer than Hiroshima. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Hiroshima fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun.

Hiroshima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Hiroshima. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Hiroshima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Hiroshima. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hiroshima for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hiroshima. Athens is much warmer than Hiroshima in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Hiroshima fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Hiroshima. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Hiroshima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Hiroshima. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Athens is a little warmer than Hiroshima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 14°C (56°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 Hiroshima. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hiroshima. Athens usually gets less rain in April than Hiroshima. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hiroshima and Athens