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

Should you visit Athens or Lille?

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 Lille. 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 historic, ancient, and vibrant 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a friendly, historic, and under-rated city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Lille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Lille is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. Athens is more touristy than Lille and 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. Lille is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is very popular for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Athens are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Lille 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, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

Is Athens or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Athens is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Athens is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Lille has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Athens or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Athens is very popular for its old town. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Athens has a world-famous historical 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.

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Lille?

Lille 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 Lille specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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 Lille Better for Families?

Athens is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Athens or Lille Better for Couples?

Athens and Lille both good 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.

Lille is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Athens or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is very popular for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Athens or Lille Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Lille are great places to visit.

Many students visit Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Lille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Athens and Lille both offer great 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 Lille is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Athens or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille 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.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Athens?

How long in Athens or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Lille. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

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

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Athens or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lille 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 Lille?

Athens is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Lille?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Lille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Lille, we can see that Athens 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Lille?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Lille, 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 Lille?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Athens or Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Athens is generally much warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Lille. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Lille. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Athens is much warmer than Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Lille during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Lille. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Lille. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Lille. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty.

In April, Athens is generally much warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Lille during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Lille. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Athens