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

Should you visit Athens or Nice?

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 Nice. 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 historic, ancient, and vibrant 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Nice

Nice is a glamourous, beautiful, and opulent seaside destination. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Athens and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Nice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Nice, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities, while Nice is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nice is more touristy than Athens and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Athens are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Nice 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, Nice is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

Is Athens or Nice Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is fantastic in both Athens and Nice.

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.

Nice is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

Is Athens or Nice Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Nice for its luxury resorts. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice 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 Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is great for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Nice for it's beautiful beaches. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Athens is renowned for its old town. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Nice. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Nice?

Nice 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 Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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 Nice Better for Families?

Athens is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Athens is a very kid-friendly city. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Nice is a family-friendly city. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Athens or Nice Better for Couples?

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

Nice is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

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 Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is renowned for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

Is Athens or Nice Better for Students?

Athens is a well-known place for students. However, Nice is not popular with 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.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Athens and Nice both offer very good 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 Nice is fairly effecient and thorough. There are both buses and trams.

Is Athens or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice 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.

Nice is a very easy seaside destination to get around on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nice or Athens?

How long in Athens or Nice?

In either Athens or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Nice because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

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

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

Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. 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 Nice?

Athens is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Nice 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 Nice?

Athens is a ancient big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. 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.

A week in Athens or Nice?

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 one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the opulent destination of Nice. This seaside destination 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Nice, we can see that Nice is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Nice?

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

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 Nice in the Summer?

Both Nice and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Nice. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Nice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Nice. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Nice. 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 shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

Athens is a little warmer than Nice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Nice. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Nice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Nice. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Athens is a little warmer than Nice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Nice averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Nice. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Nice in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Nice. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Nice. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nice and Athens