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

Should you visit Athens or Hong Kong?

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 Hong Kong. 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. 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 food, shopping, and museums. See Athens travel costs.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a dense, cosmopolitan, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come to Hong Kong because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Hong Kong travel costs.

Athens and Hong Kong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Hong Kong?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hong Kong than Athens, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Hong Kong is more popular for its beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Athens is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Hong Kong is popular for its modern skyscrapers, colorful waterfront, lush parks, and amazing dim sum. It is also home to Victoria Peak.

How is Athens different from Hong Kong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Hong Kong is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Athens are world-renowned. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Hong Kong. The city's skyline is one of the most famous "landmarks", but you'll also want to visit Victoria Peak, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Wong Tai Sin Temple, and Avenue of Stars.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Hong Kong 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, Hong Kong is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city's population is famous for its frequency of dining out, and the prolific diversity of restaurants is obvious from the moment you arrive. There are street food stalls and night markets, as well as luxury award winning restaurants. The city holds tight to its culinary traditions, but fusion restaurants are creeping in as well. Some of the most famous Hong Kong foods include dim sum, sweet and sour pork, and roast goose.

Is Athens or Hong Kong Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Hong Kong is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Hong Kong is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city lights up after the sun sets. You'll find a diverse range of activities in the evening with everything from night markets to concerts and parties. There's a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary activities, particularly around Lan Kwai Fong. Many of the most popular venues are found around Central and, like everything else in Hong Kong, the venues are full of energy.

Is Athens or Hong Kong Better for Beaches?

Hong Kong is great for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Hong Kong for it's beautiful beaches. You actually don't have to travel far from the city center to find a relatively quiet, sandy beach. The different beaches on Hong Kong Island are relatively close to each other, and each has its own atmosphere. If you need a break from the heat and the crowds, then a beach day is a fun option. Hong Kong's natural coastline give way to popular beaches including Repulse Bay Beach and Shek O Beach. Each offers a number of amenities and dining options.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Hong Kong Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Hong Kong 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.

Hong Kong does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Hong Kong Better for Hiking?

Hong Kong is great for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Hong Kong for the hiking trails. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountains and beautiful viewpoints, making it easy to enjoy a day in nature. The hikes will offer impressive views and dramatic rock formations. Popular hikes in the area include The Peak, Dragon's Back, and the Violet Hill and Twin Peak hike.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Hong Kong?

Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong specifically to go shopping. There is a high concentration of shopping malls in the city, and you'll likely find yourself cutting through malls to access different parts of town. The city is arguably one of the best shopping cities in the world. Popular items to purchase in the city include designer clothes, handbags, electronics, jewelry, watches, and tailor-made suits.

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 Hong Kong More Beautiful?

Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong because of it's amazing beauty. The city is home to the nightly Symphony of Lights, which illuminates the waterfront area with a light show.

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

Is Athens or Hong Kong Better for Families?

Hong Kong is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Hong Kong is very family-friendly. In addition to its many fascinating cultural experiences like visiting the markets and historical landmarks, this city also has a diversity of kid-friendly entertainment options. The most obvious is Disneyland, but there are also other amusement parks and aquariums like Ocean Park. Make sure you check out the Symphony of Lights in the evening and head to The Peak Tower during the day.

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

Is Athens or Hong Kong Better for Couples?

Hong Kong is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Hong Kong is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This city is filled with luxury hotels, beautiful parks, and impressive restaurants. For a romantic evening, check out the Symphony of Lights over Victoria Harbour after the sun sets.

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 Hong Kong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hong Kong is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Athens is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Hong Kong is a good city to visit for backpackers. The city is more expensive than many places, but cheap eateries and free activities are abundant. Many backpackers stay in the Tsim Sha Shui area of Kowloon. This is where you'll find the frequently talked about Chungking Mansions. Times are changing though, and you'll find more hostels on Hong Kong Island these days as well.

Is Athens or Hong Kong Better for Students?

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

Athens is a great city to visit as a student. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Hong Kong is not popular with students.

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

Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Land transportation includes the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), buses, minibuses, and tramways. There are also ferries that connect the different parts of the city.

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 Hong Kong a more walkable city?

Hong Kong 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.

Hong Kong is a very easy city to get around on foot. The city has many parks and walking paths that connect different areas.

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 Hong Kong Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hong Kong or Athens?

How long in Athens or Hong Kong?

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

Families should spend more time in Hong Kong than Athens. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hong Kong, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

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 big city destination of Hong Kong. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Hong Kong?

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.

Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong?

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 Hong Kong. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Hong Kong?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Hong Kong. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Athens is in Europe and Hong Kong is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Hong Kong?

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