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

Should you visit Athens or Miami?

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 Miami. 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 vibrant, energetic, and historic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Miami

Miami is a high energy, glamorous, and exciting beach 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 live music, food, and beaches.

Athens and Miami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Miami?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Miami than Athens. While Athens is larger than Miami, Miami has more sights and attractions for tourists. Miami is better known for its music, resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Athens is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Miami is more touristy than Athens and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glitzy nightlife scene, diverse cultures, and award-winning restaurants. Also, Miami is famous for South Beach. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy.

How is Athens different from Miami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Miami does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Athens that are not to be missed. 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.

Miami does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Miami 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, Miami is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city's food scene is as diverse as its population. It is a blend of Caribbean, Latin American, and South American flavors and it is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. There is everything from award-winning restaurants to local dives that offer excellent dishes and experiences. The city is known for its stone crabs, fish sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, and key lime pie.

Is Athens or Miami Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Miami is a world class party destination. From the posh nightlife clubs in South Beach, to the local salsa dancing venues in Little Havana, Miami is a city that thrives with energy. There are many world-renowned clubs that keep the music and drinks flowing through the entire night. There's also a glitzy and glamourous scene where the wealthy like to see and be seen.

Is Athens or Miami Better for Music?

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

Miami has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular live music venues include Ball and Chain, Cafe La Trova, Flamingo Theater Bar.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or Miami Better for Resorts?

Miami is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Miami for its luxury resorts. Known for it's luxury, you'll find many resorts in the area. Popular options include The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Fontainebleau, and Carillon Miami.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Miami Better for Beaches?

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

Miami offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. If you're looking for long sandy beaches, luxury yacht clubs, and fine dining restaurants, the area's beaches have them all. Some of the best beaches in the area include the world-famous South Beach, the North Beach Oceanside Park, Sunny Isles Beach, and Surfside. Many beaches are lined with high rise hotels that offer an urban beach experience.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Miami Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Miami does not have a historic old town.

Athens offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Miami does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Miami?

Miami 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 Miami specifically to go shopping. The city has every high end brand you could want, along with diverse neighborhoods with local finds and unique purchases. You'll find many diverse shopping opportunities that are influenced by the city's cultural scene. You'll also find many souvenir stands and t-shirt shops.

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 Miami Better for Families?

Both Athens and Miami 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.

Miami is a very family-friendly place to visit. Because it's so big, you'll find a number of kid-friendly activities in the area. There's the Miami Zoo, various waterparks, the Everglades Alligator Park, Miccosukee Indian Village, and plenty of indoor playgrounds in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

Is Athens or Miami Better for Couples?

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

Miami is a great beach city if you're traveling as a couple. For couples who love nightlife, wining and dining, and high end beach clubs, this is the place to be. There are many award-winning restaurants and plenty of glitz and glam that make for a great romantic getaway.

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 Miami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Miami is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Athens is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Miami. This city is large enough to have something for everyone, so you'll find several hostels in the area that bring in the backpackers.

Is Athens or Miami Better for Students?

Athens is well known for students. Also, Miami is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Athens is very popular with students. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

It's common for students to visit Miami. Spring break in Miami is the stuff of legends.

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

Athens is well known for its public transit. Also, Miami is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Athens can move around easily with public transportation. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

While Miami offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's an elevated metrorail as well as buses around the city.

Is Athens or Miami a more walkable city?

Athens and Miami are high quality 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.

Miami is very walkable. Many parts of city are surprisingly walkable and pedestrian friendly, allowing you to eat out, go shopping, or explore without the need for a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Miami or Athens?

How long in Athens or Miami?

Both Athens and Miami have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 7 days is enough time in Miami.

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

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

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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Miami. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Miami?

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.

Miami 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 Miami?

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 Miami. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Miami?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the glamorous big city of Miami. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Miami?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Miami. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Miami, 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 Miami?

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 Miami in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Miami. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Miami in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as Miami. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Miami averages at about 83°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Miami. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Miami receives 316 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Miami. Athens usually gets less rain in July than Miami. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Miami receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Miami in the Autumn?

Both Miami and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Miami for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In October, Athens is generally cooler than Miami. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Miami fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Miami. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Miami during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Miami receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Miami. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Miami. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Miami receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Miami in the Winter?

Both Miami and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Miami because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Athens is much colder than Miami in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Miami fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Athens often gets less sunshine than Miami. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Miami receives 243 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Miami. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Miami receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Miami in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Miami. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Miami this time of year.

In the spring, Athens is much colder than Miami. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Miami averages at about 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Miami during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Miami receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Miami. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Miami receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Miami and Athens