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

Should you visit Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne?

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 Newcastle upon Tyne. 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is a historical, vibrant, and high energy port city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Newcastle upon Tyne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Athens than Newcastle upon Tyne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Athens is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Newcastle upon Tyne attracts visitors for its shopping. Athens is more touristy than Newcastle upon Tyne and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also well known for The Acropolis. Newcastle upon Tyne is famous for its compact and livable atmosphere as well as its active nightlife scene.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Newcastle upon Tyne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Newcastle upon Tyne can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic and cultural sights around town. Some of the most interesting include the Historic Tyne Bridges, the Millennium Bridge, the Castle, Newcastle Cathedral, and the Great North Museum: Hancock.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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, Newcastle upon Tyne makes for a great culinary experience. The city is known for its food and there are some interesting local flavors that you should try. For something unique, try the singing hinny (sweet bread), pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin), stottie cake (bread) or craster kippers (smoked herring). You'll also find a diversity of cosmopolitan restaurants around town.

Is Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Athens has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Because of the large student population, you'll find a very active nightlife scene. There are several party districts in the city that you should check out including Quayside, the Gate, the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market, and Dean Street.

Is Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Newcastle upon Tyne to see the historical old town. Known as Grainger Town, the city's historic commercial center is famous for its Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. The city has boutique shops as well as major shopping malls. Some of the best shopping areas include the pedestrian shopping street of Northumberland Street, the historic Grey Street, and Grainger Market.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne Better for Families?

Athens is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne. Kids will love visiting the Newcastle Castle, but there are also ropes courses and the Victoria Tunnel Tours. Museum lovers will enjoy a visit to Discovery Museum, the Life Science Center, or Beamish, the Living Museum of the North.

Is Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne Better for Couples?

Athens and Newcastle upon Tyne both nice 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts many romantic walks as well as fine dining restaurants and interesting entertainment options. It's not hard to enjoy a fun date night out on the town.

Is Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Newcastle upon Tyne. There are a number of hostels to choose from and plenty of entertainment choices so you shouldn't have much trouble meeting other people.

Is Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a large student population and a lively nightlife scene, so it's a fun place for students to spend a semester or more.

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

Athens and Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus, ferry, and light rail services in the city.

Is Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne a more walkable city?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a very easy port city to get around on foot. The city is one of the most walkable in the UK.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Newcastle upon Tyne or Athens?

How long in Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Newcastle upon Tyne. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Newcastle upon Tyne. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-3 days is enough time in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Families should spend more time in Athens than Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne?

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. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. 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.

A weekend in Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne?

Many people visit Athens for a weekend. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Many people spend five days here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, five days is sufficent for most.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Newcastle upon Tyne. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne?

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 is a popular place to visit for one week. This city offers something for everyone. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Newcastle upon Tyne. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Newcastle upon Tyne, 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 Newcastle upon Tyne?

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 Newcastle upon Tyne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Newcastle upon Tyne. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Newcastle upon Tyne in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Athens is much warmer than Newcastle upon Tyne in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Newcastle upon Tyne fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle upon Tyne during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle upon Tyne receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Newcastle upon Tyne. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Newcastle upon Tyne receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Newcastle upon Tyne. 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. Additionally, most visitors come to Newcastle upon Tyne for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Athens is much warmer than Newcastle upon Tyne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Newcastle upon Tyne averages at about 10°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Newcastle upon Tyne. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle upon Tyne receives 69 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Newcastle upon Tyne. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Newcastle upon Tyne. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle upon Tyne receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne in the Winter?

Both Newcastle upon Tyne and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Newcastle upon Tyne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Newcastle upon Tyne can be very cold. In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Newcastle upon Tyne. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Newcastle upon Tyne fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle upon Tyne during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle upon Tyne receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle upon Tyne. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Newcastle upon Tyne. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Newcastle upon Tyne receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Newcastle upon Tyne in the Spring?

Both Newcastle upon Tyne and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Athens is much warmer than Newcastle upon Tyne in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Newcastle upon Tyne fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Newcastle upon Tyne. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle upon Tyne receives 134 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Newcastle upon Tyne. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Newcastle upon Tyne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Newcastle upon Tyne and Athens