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

Should you visit Athens or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda. 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. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a energetic, scenic, and playful lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Lake Garda?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Athens. Although Athens and Lake Garda are both popular with visitors, Athens has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Athens is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Lake Garda is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. 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. Lake Garda is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

Athens is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Athens is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Athens or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Athens is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Athens is a must-see party destination. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

The people in Lake Garda know how to have a good time. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

Is Athens or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is great for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Lake Garda for it's beautiful beaches. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Athens is terrific for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Athens has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is great for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda for the hiking trails. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Lake Garda?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Lake Garda both offer plenty of good 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.

Lake Garda is a great destination for shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Athens or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda 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, Lake Garda is very family-friendly. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

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

Lake Garda is a great lake if you're traveling as a couple. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

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 Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Athens or Lake Garda Better for Students?

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

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.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

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

Athens and Lake Garda both offer superb 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 Lake Garda is fairly effecient and thorough. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Is Athens or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Athens and Lake Garda are superb 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.

Lake Garda is very walkable. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Athens?

How long in Athens or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Athens or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Athens due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

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

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

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

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 Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda?

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.

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Lake Garda?

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 energetic destination of Lake Garda. This lake 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Athens or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Lake Garda. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Lake Garda. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Athens is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°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 Lake Garda. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Lake Garda. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lake Garda can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Lake Garda in the Spring?

Both Lake Garda and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Athens