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

Should you visit Athens or London?

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 London. 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. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Athens offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Athens travel costs.

London

London is a international, historic, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, London attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music. See London travel costs.

Athens and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or London?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Athens. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is very popular for its theatre productions, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Athens attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. London is more touristy than Athens and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy.

Big Ben

How is Athens different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of first-rate museums and attractions in both London 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 London that are not to be missed. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

Is Athens or London Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Athens is not a theatre destination.

London is considered to be a world-class theater destination. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Athens is not a theatre destination.

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

Athens is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, London is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, London makes for a great culinary experience. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is Athens or London Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is first-rate in both Athens and London.

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.

London is a world class party destination. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

Is Athens or London Better for Music?

London is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Athens is not a live music destination.

London has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or London Better for its Old Town?

Athens is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, London 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.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or London?

London 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 London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

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 London More Beautiful?

London is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, London attracts visitors from all around. The city has quaint neighborhoods and stunning architectural landmarks that are not to be missed.

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 London Better for Families?

London 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, London is very family-friendly. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

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 London Better for Couples?

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

London is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

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 London Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Athens and London are first-rate places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

London is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Is Athens or London Better for Students?

London is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

London is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

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.

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

London 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 London can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout 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 London a more walkable city?

London 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.

London is a very easy city to get around on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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 London Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in London or Athens?

How long in Athens or London?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Athens 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 London.

One day in Athens or London?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of London. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or London?

Athens 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.

London 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 London?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 London?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the diverse big city of London. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours from London, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or London?

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

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 London in the Summer?

Both London and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to London in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Athens is much warmer than London in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than London during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than London. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or London in the Autumn?

Both London and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Athens is much warmer than London. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and London averages at about 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than London. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 107 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than London. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or London in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and London. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to London because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in London can be very cold. In January, Athens is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than London during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than London. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or London in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as London. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to London this time of year.

Athens is much warmer than London in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°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 London. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 147 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than London. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for London and Athens