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

Should you visit Athens or Oxford?

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 Oxford. 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. 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford

Oxford is a historic, scholarly, and collegiate college town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Oxford?

You'll generally find more things to do in Athens than Oxford. Athens is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Athens is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Oxford is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Athens is more touristy than Oxford 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. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oxford. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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

Athens is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Athens is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Athens or Oxford Better for Nightlife?

Athens is very popular for nightlife. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Oxford is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

Is Athens or Oxford Better for its Old Town?

Athens is very popular for its historic old town. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Oxford?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Oxford both offer plenty of notable 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.

Oxford is a great destination for shopping. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Athens or Oxford Better for Families?

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

Athens is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Oxford. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Is Athens or Oxford Better for Couples?

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

Oxford is a great college town if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

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 Oxford Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options 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.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Athens or Oxford Better for Students?

Oxford is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Oxford is a very popular place to visit for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Athens is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

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

Athens is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Athens. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

You'll find some public transit in Oxford, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Is Athens or Oxford a more walkable city?

Athens and Oxford are great 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.

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Athens?

How long in Athens or Oxford?

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

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

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.

Oxford might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Athens or Oxford?

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.

Oxford 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 Oxford?

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 Oxford. 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 Oxford?

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.

Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This college town 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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Oxford?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Oxford, 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 Oxford?

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 Oxford in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Oxford. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Athens is much warmer than Oxford. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Oxford averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Oxford. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Oxford in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Oxford. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Oxford because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Athens is generally much warmer than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 11°C (52°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 Oxford. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 107 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Oxford. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Oxford in the Winter?

Both Oxford and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year.

It's quite cold in Oxford in the winter. Athens is much warmer than Oxford in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Oxford fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Oxford. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Oxford in the Spring?

Both Oxford and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Athens is much warmer than Oxford. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Oxford averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Oxford. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 147 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Oxford. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oxford and Athens