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

Should you visit Athens or Manchester?

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 Manchester. 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. 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Athens and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Manchester?

You'll generally find more things to do in Athens than Manchester. Athens is bigger than Manchester, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Athens is better known for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Manchester is more popular for its music and shopping. Athens is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Athens is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Athens or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Athens is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Athens or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is great for its music scene. However, Athens is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester draws a good crowd. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or Manchester Better for its Old Town?

Athens is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Manchester?

Manchester is great for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester Better for Families?

Both Athens and Manchester are high quality family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Manchester is a very family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Is Athens or Manchester Better for Couples?

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

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Athens or Manchester Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Manchester are high quality places to visit.

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

Manchester is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Athens and Manchester 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 Manchester is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Athens or Manchester a more walkable city?

Athens is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Athens?

How long in Athens or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Athens or Manchester. 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 Manchester.

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

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

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 shopping when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Manchester?

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.

Manchester 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester. 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 Manchester?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Athens, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Manchester?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester in the Summer?

Both Manchester 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 Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Athens is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Manchester averages at about 16°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Manchester. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Manchester in the Autumn?

Both Manchester 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. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In October, Athens is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Manchester. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Manchester in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Manchester. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Manchester can be very cold. Athens is much warmer than Manchester in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Manchester. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Manchester in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Athens is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Manchester averages at about 8°C (46°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 Manchester. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Manchester. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Athens