Which place is cheaper, Playa Blanca or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Playa Blanca?
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 Playa Blanca. 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.
Where Should I go: Athens or Playa Blanca?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
Playa Blanca
Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.
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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Playa Blanca €155
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Playa Blanca is €155. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Athens and Playa Blanca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Playa Blanca €81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Playa Blanca €162
Compare Hotels in Athens and Playa Blanca
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Playa Blanca? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Athens Hotel Prices and Playa Blanca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Playa Blanca €49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VipTransfer From /To Athens Airport - Lavrio Port : $207
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Rafina Port : $218
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Lavrio Port: $273
- VIP VAN Athens Airport Transfer 1 - 4 persons: $89
- VIP High Class Limos & Chauffeurs Transfer to Athens: $65
- VIP Ferry Ticket from Piraeus Port To Mykonos & Private Transfer included: $250
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $250
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Athens HTL-APT (ATH): $63
- Transfer services from/to Athens Airport: $105
- Transfer from/to Piraeus Port and Athens city centre hotel: $41
- Transfer from/to Piraeus Port and Athens International Airport: $142
- Transfer from/to Athens International Airport to city centre: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Playa Blanca?
Prices for flights to both Playa Blanca and Athens change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAthens €37Playa Blanca €45
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $51
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
- Middle-eastern Cuisine Cooking Class with Meal: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Classes in Athina: $64
- Light Lunch Tasting & Cooking Demo: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Playa Blanca €20
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $87
- Ancient Corinth Canal Epidavrous Nafplio Private Tour 8Hours: $180
- Apostle Paul's Footsteps in Athens Christian Private Tour 5Hours: $142
- Delphi full day V.R audio guided tour with entry ticket: $48
- EPIDAURUS & NAFPLIO : Private Full Day Tour From Athens 6 Hours : $173
- Full Day Tour in Athens with Lunch: $147
- Half Day Private Tour on Highlights of Classical Athens: $158
- Layover Private Tour in Athens: $245
- Mycenae Lions Gate Epidaurus & Nafplio Full Day Private Tour 8H : $191
- Self-Guided Tour at the Romantic Island of Hydra from Athens: $284
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $59
- "Acropolis Half-day Tour and City Visit": $168
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Playa Blanca €9.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- Premium Wine Tastings: $35
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- Athens Wine Tasting: $44
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $52
- Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $52
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $53
- Greek food and wine tasting: $53
- Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
- Wine Tasting and Storytelling in a Historical Square in Athina: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Playa Blanca, we can see that Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Playa Blanca?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Playa Blanca, 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 Playa Blanca?
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 Playa Blanca in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Playa Blanca. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Playa Blanca during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Athens usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Playa Blanca 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Athens or Playa Blanca in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Playa Blanca. 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.
Athens is cooler than Playa Blanca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets less sunshine than Playa Blanca. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 224 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets more rain in October than Playa Blanca. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Playa Blanca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Athens or Playa Blanca in the Winter?
Both Playa Blanca and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In the winter, Athens is much colder than Playa Blanca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 204 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Athens usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Playa Blanca 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Athens or Playa Blanca in the Spring?
Both Playa Blanca and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Athens is generally cooler than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets less sunshine than Playa Blanca. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 250 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets more rain in April than Playa Blanca. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Playa Blanca 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Playa Blanca and Athens
| Athens | Playa Blanca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.