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

Should you visit Athens or Los Angeles?

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 Los Angeles. 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. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a glamourous, diverse, and multicultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Athens and Los Angeles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Los Angeles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Los Angeles than Athens. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Los Angeles is very popular for its theatre productions, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Athens attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Los Angeles is more touristy than Athens and is known for is many A-list celebrities, its world-famous clubs and venues, its glamourous beaches, and being the location of the iconic Hollywood. It is also well known for Hollywood. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy.

How is Athens different from Los Angeles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of terrific museums and attractions in both Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles that are not to be missed. The city has an eclectic list of monuments and museums. Notable landmarks include the famous Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for Theater?

Los Angeles is great for its shows and theatre. However, Athens is not a theatre destination.

Los Angeles offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. While most people think of Hollywood when they think of LA, the city also has a thriving stage presence. Musicals and plays are popular throughout the city.

Athens is not a theatre destination.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. As a huge and diverse city, there is no shortage of amazing food options around town. There are a wide range of cuisines represented and many different neighborhoods that specialize in specific types of food. Popular dishes around town include Cobb Salads, Mexican Tacos, and the French Dip Sandwich.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is terrific in both Athens and Los Angeles.

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.

Los Angeles is a world class party destination. The city's nightlife scene is as diverse as the city itself. There are glamorous clubs where you might spot a celebrity, as well as local dives with a more down-to-earth vibe. Some of the most famous clubs in the city include Academy, Avalon, and Boardner's.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for Music?

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

Los Angeles has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Music, movies, and show business - it's all part of what Los Angeles is known for. Several famous music venues include The Greek Theatre, Whiskey a Go Go, and The Roxy Theatre.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for Resorts?

Los Angeles is great for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Los Angeles to choose from. The city is home to a number of high end resorts including The Beverly Hill Hotel, The Langham Huntington Pasadena, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Los Angeles is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Los Angeles. The coastal setting means that there are a number of places where you can put on a mask and hop in the water. Popular snorkeling or diving spots near the city include Santa Catalina Island, Diver's Cove, and Crystal Cove State Park. Many visitors find the water to be a bit chili, but the wildlife is unique and beautiful.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for Beaches?

Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Los Angeles offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Ranging from beaches with stunning natural beauty to those with glamourous and fun atmospheres, this city has a number of beaches to choose from. There are many fun and high-energy urban beach settings, and there are also beaches that are lined with parks and offer a more natural environment. Some of the most popular are Santa Monica, Malibu, Huntington Beach, and Redondo Beach.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for its Old Town?

Athens is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Los Angeles does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Athens is one of the most recognized in 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.

Los Angeles does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for Hiking?

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

Los Angeles is well-known for its hiking and trekking. In and around the city you'll find world class urban hiking with views of the mountains and the ocean. Some of the most well-known hikes include the Charlie Turner Trail to Mount Hollywood, Runyon Canyon, and the Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles specifically to go shopping. Although it's most famous for the high end shopping at Rodeo Drive, there are actually many different shopping venues throughout the city. Other famous shopping areas include Robertson Blvd and the Grove.

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 Los Angeles Better for Families?

Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles is very family-friendly. With its many amusement parks, including nearby Disneyland, and its countless family-friendly parks and playgrounds, there is no shortage of things to do with kids around the city. Favorite activities include the amusement parks, exploring Venice Beach, a trip to the California Science Center, and taking a Warner Brothers Studio Tour.

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 Los Angeles Better for Couples?

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

Los Angeles is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It is a large, sprawling city with tucked away romantic scenes that are perfect for a couple's getaway or a dream honeymoon. There are also trendy nightclubs, world-class restaurants, and high-energy beaches that make for iconic date activities.

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 Los Angeles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Los Angeles is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Los Angeles. The city is a major travel destination for all types, and backpackers will find no shortage of hostels or budget friendly accommodation around town.

Is Athens or Los Angeles Better for Students?

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

Los Angeles is a very popular place to visit for students. International students have long flocked to this for its major universities and diverse setting. Major universities in the area include UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the California Institute of Technology.

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 Los Angeles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Los Angeles is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Los Angeles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many of the public transit options are overlooked by visitors for a number of reasons, but options include the subway, light rail, and buses.

Is Athens or Los Angeles a more walkable city?

Athens is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Los Angeles is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Los Angeles is somewhat walkable. The city is sprawling, but some of the neighborhoods are more walkable than others. Some of the more walkable neighborhoods include Hollywood, Koreatown, Downtown, and MacArthur Park.

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

Should I spend more time in Los Angeles or Athens?

How long in Athens or Los Angeles?

Both Athens and Los Angeles have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Los Angeles has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Los Angeles than Athens. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 5-7 days is enough time in Los Angeles.

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

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

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

Athens is a ancient city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the big city destination of Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles?

Athens is a historic big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?

Athens is a ancient city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles?

Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the dynamic big city of Los Angeles. 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, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Los Angeles is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles?

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 Los Angeles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Los Angeles. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.

Athens is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

In July, Athens usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Los Angeles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Los Angeles. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Athens is around the same temperature as Los Angeles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 64°F (18°C).

Athens usually gets more rain in October than Los Angeles. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Los Angeles in the Winter?

Both Los Angeles and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In January, Athens is generally cooler than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Los Angeles. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Los Angeles in the Spring?

Both Los Angeles and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Athens is around the same temperature as Los Angeles in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Athens usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Los Angeles. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Athens