A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Interlaken for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Athens or Interlaken?

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 Interlaken. 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and food.

Athens and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Interlaken?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Athens than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Athens is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Athens and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Athens or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for skiing. However, Athens is not a skiing destination.

Head to Interlaken for some great skiing and other winter activities. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Athens is not a skiing destination.

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

Athens is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Athens from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Athens is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Is Athens or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Athens is a world-class destination for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

People head to Athens just to party. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Athens or Interlaken Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Interlaken 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.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Interlaken is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Interlaken?

Athens is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Athens. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Athens or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken 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, Interlaken is very family-friendly. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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 Interlaken Better for Couples?

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

Interlaken is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

Is Athens or Interlaken Better for Students?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Athens is very popular with students. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Athens and Interlaken both offer high quality 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 Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Is Athens or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Athens?

How long in Athens or Interlaken?

In either Athens or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Interlaken because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

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

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

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 food and skiing when visiting the destination of Interlaken. 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 Interlaken?

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.

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Interlaken?

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 Interlaken. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Interlaken?

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 skiing and food when visiting the adrenaline-filled destination of Interlaken. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Interlaken?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?

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 Interlaken in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Interlaken. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Athens is a little warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Interlaken averages at about 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Interlaken in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Interlaken. 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. Also, most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Athens is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Interlaken. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Interlaken in the Winter?

Both Interlaken and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine.

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

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Interlaken in the Spring?

Both Interlaken and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In the spring, Athens is a little warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Interlaken averages at about 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Athens