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

Should you visit Athens or Nagano?

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 Nagano. 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. 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano

Nagano is a traditional, alpine, and scenic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Athens and Nagano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Nagano?

Both Nagano and Athens have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Athens is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Nagano is known for its skiing, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Nagano is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

How is Athens different from Nagano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nagano and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for Skiing?

Nagano is great for skiing. However, Athens is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Athens is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Nagano?

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

The museums and tourist attractions in Athens are world-renowned. 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 can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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

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

Many restaurants in Athens have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Dining out in Nagano is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for Nightlife?

Athens is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Athens is a must-see party destination. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for its Old Town?

Athens is terrific for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

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.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for Hiking?

Nagano is great for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Nagano?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Nagano both offer plenty of good spots.

Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Nagano is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for Families?

Both Athens and Nagano are very good 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.

Nagano is a very family-friendly place to visit. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for Couples?

Athens and Nagano 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.

Nagano is a nice destination for couples. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Athens is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Athens or Nagano Better for Students?

Athens is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

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

Athens is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Athens can get you around easily. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Athens or Nagano a more walkable city?

Athens is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Athens is a very walkable city. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Nagano or Athens?

How long in Athens or Nagano?

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

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

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Athens or Nagano?

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.

Nagano 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 Nagano?

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 Nagano. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Nagano?

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.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the traditional destination of Nagano. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Nagano, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Nagano is in Asia, 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 Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Nagano.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Nagano?

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

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 Nagano in the Summer?

Both Nagano and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Nagano. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Nagano. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Nagano in the Autumn?

Both Nagano and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

Athens is a little warmer than Nagano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Nagano fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Nagano. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Nagano in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Nagano. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Nagano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Nagano averages at about 2°C (36°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nagano this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Nagano during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Nagano. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Nagano in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Nagano. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Nagano in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°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 Nagano. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Nagano. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Athens